Post by flash on Jan 4, 2021 9:09:29 GMT -5
There was an interesting article on how the defensive shifts have forced batting averages down especially with left hand batters. Shifts against left-handed batters are used 50 % of the time according to stats.
On way to solve this problem would be to increase the infield playing space. If the foul lines were moved from their beginning from the Apex of the batter's box rather than 3/4 of the way across you could add about a foot of space the defense would have to cover which would make the 3b man moved more towards the third base bag rather than playing the shortstop position. You could expand it even more if the foul line were moved from a beginning midway down the outside of the batter's box. The baselines would however remain the same. Or you could eliminate foul territory all together for ground balls just as is done with foul flies. Some would say that would force the coach's boxes to be eliminated, but on a pop foul fly the fielder can already make the catch in the coaches box. A wild pitch or errant throw must already be covered by the fielder's Why not a batted ball.
On way to solve this problem would be to increase the infield playing space. If the foul lines were moved from their beginning from the Apex of the batter's box rather than 3/4 of the way across you could add about a foot of space the defense would have to cover which would make the 3b man moved more towards the third base bag rather than playing the shortstop position. You could expand it even more if the foul line were moved from a beginning midway down the outside of the batter's box. The baselines would however remain the same. Or you could eliminate foul territory all together for ground balls just as is done with foul flies. Some would say that would force the coach's boxes to be eliminated, but on a pop foul fly the fielder can already make the catch in the coaches box. A wild pitch or errant throw must already be covered by the fielder's Why not a batted ball.
