True/False? Small-ball develops better baseball fundamentals, including defensive.

#1
BruisedOrange

BruisedOrange

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#1
Debate amongst yourselves.

On the surface, it seems obvious to me that it would, but all my life I've only thought analytically about the sports I played: football and basketball.

I got hooked on Vols baseball last season because I could listen to the games on radio while I was packing and emptying two houses for a move. BaseVols home run production generated some much appreciated adrenaline!

So I'm only provoking this debate to learn more about the game.
(...more than how big a dong you need to wear a fur coat in warm weather.)
 
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#2
#2
ever since CTV's tenure at Tennessee, he doesn't necessarily believe in advancing runners with a bunt, he's been able to rely on power, and the SEC is a power league. It's hard to argue with his philosophy or the philosophy of the vast majority of SEC teams.

But to answer your question, small ball probably does develop better fundamentals, and practicing does make the defense better. Over the last several years we have not defended the bunt very well. However, it really hasn't hurt us as a team.
 
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#3
#3
True.

In theory, playing small ball typically will result in scoring less points. Less points means that you can't take a play off or lose focus for even 1 pitch because every run counts. Therefore you must train yourself to focus on every play, which should improve your execution.
 
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#4
#4
Former player from the 2013/2014 seasons under Coach Serrano…we practiced bunt defense scenarios 5/6 days each week. We also practiced bunting 3/4 days per week, even our power hitters. It’s certainly a much different approach, and didn’t workout in Knoxville, but to each their own, philosophy wise.
 
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#5
#5
So "small ball" is a term that necessarily mean bunting, not just hit-and-run calls to advance baserunners?

Guess I'm already learning...
 
#6
#6
BruisedOrange said:
Debate amongst yourselves.

On the surface, it seems obvious to me that it would, but all my life I've only thought analytically about the sports I played: football and basketball.

I got hooked on Vols baseball last season because I could listen to the games on radio while I was packing and emptying two houses for a move. BaseVols home run production generated some much appreciated adrenaline!

So I'm only provoking this debate to learn more about the game.
(...more than how big a dong you need to wear a fur coat in warm weather.)
Click to expand...

Best baseball coach I had growing up made us bunt every practice. And, we had to do it fundamentally correct. Great way to help develop hand-eye coordination as well.
 
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#7
#7
Let me clarify. They work on bunting but I reckon the philosophy is why bunt when you can hit it out (thanks txbo). But V will bunt in the right situation with the right player. Obviously some this year are gifted with ability to bunt. Most are not. I believe it is one of the hardest parts of baseball.
 
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#11
#11
Of the ones you named how many have been effective recently overall.
I don’t think Corbin plays small ball. How many times does he bunt a game?
UVA, Coastal and Oregon state are not relevant now. It does not win games in the long run.
 
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#14
#14
VOLfrombama said:
True.

In theory, playing small ball typically will result in scoring less points. Less points means that you can't take a play off or lose focus for even 1 pitch because every run counts. Therefore you must train yourself to focus on every play, which should improve your execution.
Click to expand...
Points in baseball are usually referred to as “runs”. Welcome to the sport!
 
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#16
#16
I think situational small ball is very important, but not for the overall game plan. I also think that when a batter gets up and goes into a bunting stance, you allow the defense to get into position to defeat the purpose of the bunt. If the batter doesn't go bunt stance before the pitcher begins his windup, you catch the defense out of position to make the play. Also, the defense may already expecting certain players to bunt, and some players to swing away. Mix it up so they can't be in the bunt defense and ready for it. Just my random thoughts.
 
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#17
#17
nashvillepanther said:
None of those guys exclusively use small ball, but key moments during their CWS run(s) utilized small ball.
Click to expand...
Well that's not the same thing.

Let me put it this way. In the SEC today, if your offensive approach is a west coast small ball philosophy, you're not going to get a chance to use it in the post season. Hell you may not get to use it in Hoover.
 
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#19
#19
Small ball:
Get em on.
Get em over.
Get em in.

It starts with the on. Don't focus on power hitters, because strikeouts are not "ons", but load the lineup with Tony Gwenns (I'm old) who make great contact.

Get em over doesn't have to be a bunt. Make a productive out. Guys doubles to lead off. Righty slaps a grounder to first for an out, but now the lead is on third; he got him over. Lefty yanks a long fly to deep right field. Same thing, runner tags and advances to third on the out.

Get em in with a single or another productive out like a deep hole grounder and a decent fly out.

1 hit plus two good outs equals a run. Batting ave of .250 for the inning (yes, I know it's actually higher if a sac is granted.)

Rinse, repeat.

One might argue, however, that the first rule of baseball is:
Hit the dang ball over that thar fence in between the two tall thingys. That's a lot faster way to score and doesn't depend on multiple guys doing the above scenario all in a row. Modern baseball.
 
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#20
#20
Easiest way to get on base is hit it over the fence. I say small ball has to involve consistent bunting. You would have to bunt at least once an inning.
What you describe is just good hitting. Small ball would be bunting the runner to third.
 
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#25
#25
preacherman20 said:
Easiest way to get on base is hit it over the fence. I say small ball has to involve consistent bunting. You would have to bunt at least once an inning.
What you describe is just good hitting. Small ball would be bunting the runner to third.
Click to expand...

I see your point but I guess I have a broader spectrum that I count as small ball. Certainly bunting plays a major role.

I was out of baseball (fandom) after the late 90s strike. Buncha overpaid primadonas back then and it really turned me off. I had literally watched most every minute of Braves baseball in some of the 80s seasons. Yes, they sucked.

Anyway, my prototypical small ball team was the mid-80s Cardinals. Huge stadium, concrete astroturf. Blazing speed everywhere. Steals, bunts, slap hits, no homers. But they'd score 6-7 per game and we're nigh unstoppable.

Perhaps this informs OP's question. Small ball needs speed. Speed equals distance covered in the field. Outfielders catch gappers that would have been a double vs teams loaded with hulking home run hitters. Jose Canseco, for example. Who would hit it out, but might also occasionally assist the opposing ball with clearing the wall.


Edited PS. I went 20 years with giving no rips whatsoever about the game. The 2021 BaseVols helped me rekindle my love for the sport. I'll never forget em.
 
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