|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Pitchers strike out Umps will call 'em high, but Maddux is down and out
While news reports and the commissioner's office continue to focus on the enforcement of the high strike this season, a more profound change in the strike zone is happening beneath the public radar. The down-and-low fastball -- the so-called Greg Maddux Strike that is one-to-two baseballs off the plate -- is history. Baseball administrators told team officials, managers and coaches at meetings in Arizona and Florida recently that umpires have been instructed to enforce the strike zone within the width of the plate and nothing more. In recent years the zone has evolved into a wider, flattened area in which pitchers get calls on pitches just off the outside corner, especially when catchers set up their target on or just off the corner. Taking that strike away will have a much greater impact on pitchers and hitters than calling the high strike because few pitchers have the velocity to pitch high in the strike zone. Most pitchers, especially sinker-slider types, use the low and outside strike as the foundation of their style. No pitchers have capitalized more on that pitch off the plate than Maddux and Braves teammate Tom Glavine. "Maddux and Glavine are in trouble this year," said one American League pitching coach. "They're going to get hit." Said Seattle general manager Pat Gillick, "It'll have a bigger impact than calling the high strike. They told us they're enforcing the width of the plate and nothing more. Taking away that outside pitch will get a lot of people's attention." Moreover, umpires have been instructed not to be influenced by where a catcher sets up or how he catches the ball. If Glavine, for instance, hits the target of Javy Lopez even though Lopez's glove is inches off the corner, the pitch should be called a ball. Catchers sometimes can "steal" strikes by the way they catch pitches -- reaching to catch a breaking ball, for instance, rather than waiting until it is closer to the ground -- or by "framing" it with his glove and body to make it appear in the strike zone. In theory, those subtle tricks by catchers are now irrelevant. "They said the umpire will call the ball as it crosses the plate," Gillick said. "Whatever happens after that doesn't matter." Baseball officials plan to set up computerized ball-tracking systems through major league parks to use as an educational tool for umpires. The umps occasionally will be shown printouts and videos of where balls cross the plate to assist them in determining the strengths and weaknesses of their own game. For instance, if an umpire is consistently calling strikes on pitches that are off the outside corner, the system can show him that he needs to tighten his zone in that area. Some teams already are making preparations for the high strike. The Oakland Athletics, whose pitchers throw through a strike zone target made of string in side practice sessions, have altered those strings. The top string is about five inches higher than it was last year. However, closer Jason Isringhausen may be the only hard thrower on the staff who can consistently pitch up in the zone. The narrowing of the called strike zone will have a much greater impact on the game. Hitters have complained for years that a pitch one or two baseballs off the plate is impossible to hit with any authority. If that pitch is now a ball, many pitchers will have lost an important weapon in their arsenal. "Look at the games when Maddux has been hit," remarked one NL pitching coach. "Those are the games when umpires force him into the strike zone." First impressions from campWhat are first impressions worth in spring training? It's difficult to tell given that some players get a jump on others by playing winter ball while others are on accelerated programs. Red Sox pitcher David Cone, for instance, starting throwing in November to get ready for the season. In any case, here are some players who have made favorable first impressions in the early part of camps: Brett Tomko, RHP, Seattle. He lost 15 pounds and "is throwing the hell out of the ball," according to manager Lou Piniella. Rafael Soriano, RHP, Seattle. He's likely to go to Class AA, but the future is bright for the loose-armed 21-year-old who allowed only 97 hits in 122.1 innings last year. Eric Chavez, 3B, Oakland. The A's think this could be his breakout year, as 2000 was for Miguel Tejada. Within sight: 30 HRs and 100 RBIs. John Johnstone, RHP, San Francisco. He may just now be getting back to his form of two years ago. If he does, the Giants can deal from a surplus of pitching to get needed position-player help for their farm system, especially outfielders with speed. Jeremy Powell, RHP, San Diego. He's trying to make the club as a non-roster player after a terrific season of winter ball. His offseason work may have given him an obvious edge over most other pitchers, but the Padres nonetheless are impressed with what they've seen thus far. Juan Pierre, OF, Colorado. He's added some strength through a diligent offseason program -- a must for someone who had just two extra-base hits (both doubles) in 200 at-bats last year. Rusty Greer, OF, Texas. Trimmer and healthier than last season, Greer is likely to hit leadoff for manager Johnny Oates. Unless Hal Morris resurfaces, Greer is the only active career .300 hitter with at least 3,000 at-bats never to make an All-Star game. Manny Ramirez, OF, Boston. Hardly a sleeper, but the Red Sox have been impressed with his work ethic in the batting cage. One day last week he took more than 700 swings, arriving early before the team workout for extra work and staying later. Quick hitsImagine a high school junior competing in a big-league camp. Don't wait for the Disney movie. It's playing in Peoria right now. The Seattle Mariners have 16-year-old pitcher Emiliano Fruto of Columbia in camp. Seattle has scouted him since he was 14 and managed to fend off the Yankees to get him signed last July. He is ticketed for Class A-ball or the junior prom, whichever comes first. ... Boston pitcher Bryce Florie is working hard to make his way from that horrible injury he suffered last year when he was hit by a line drive. He has been fielding softly hit grounders on a back field without difficulty. Now pitching coach Joe Kerrigan has ordered soft-core baseballs, such as the kind young children use, which he will use to hit hard grounders and line drives to Florie's left or right. Florie's not ready yet to field line drives hit directly at him. "Doctors told us we can't improve the vision in his eye," Kerrigan said, "but we can train his eye to pick up the ball better." Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci covers baseball for the
magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
