Base-running gaffs---very costly

[Catfish]

The Diamondbacks have seen a series of base-running mistakes recently that have been extremely costly to the team. That is because they have come in critical situations, just when we appear to have snatched momentum from the opponent, only to suddenly have a base-runner get picked off, and give the momentum right back.

It is hard to tell if the running mistakes are due to the players themselves, or because of the coaching they are getting. A large number of them have occurred because runners were picked off first base by the pitcher, and a number of runners have been involved in this sequence lately. That would almost lend credence to the problem being with the coaching, yet, some of the players have been picked off multiple time like this. (Gaffs by Johnson and Bloomquist come to mind). Still, there have been other multiple mistakes made at 2nd base, (Bloomquist again being the culprit more than once), which may point more to the player being at fault.

This needs to be corrected quickly, as several chances to take the opponent out of the game have been lost because of these costly errors. Few mistakes are as deflating to a team as having a runner picked off, just when we seem to be building momentum during a tight game. It's much like just completing the blowing up of a big balloon, and suddenly letting all the air out again.

 

[outcent13]

I was at last night game and I almost blew my lid when Roberts took third in the ninth!! I spent an hour telling my eight year old why it was a stupid decision!! Then another hour explaining why you only swing at a pitch you can handle on a 3-0 count !! Especially when your the tying run in the bottom of the ninth Paul Goldshmidt!!!

 

[BC867]

What you say is true.

But part of the D'backs success since moving from worst-to-first (briefly) was achieved by being aggressive on the bases.

The downside is that you reach a point where it goes from aggressive to reckless.

That is when you being to draw the reigns in a little bit to achieve a reasonable balance.

I have confidence that Gibby is on top of the situation and will find that reasonable point for his players.

The one thing we don't want to see is overreaction by the players, who have to make snap decisions on the field.