I thought of this topic while responding to the question about speed aound the bases. I am curious to know what sparks a rally for great RBI players? For most, I can assume that it is a hard hit ball or a double down the line, or even a scoreboard homerun. BUt for me, nothing sparks a rally for my club than an innning ending double play. Everytime I am able to go 6-4-3, 5-4-3, or 4,6,3 to get the second and third outs of the inning, I know it'll be a great catalyst to put some runs on the board. Everytime it goes 6-4-3, I know someone in my lineup is going to hit one out! What sparks your rally's?
Sucka, I'm a firm believer in what we call "The Homerun Switch".
Did you ever notice that some games nobody can hit a ball out of the infield. All of a sudden, some shitty player barely hits one out. Now the homerun switch has been turned on. Let the homeruns fly.
Switch off: no HR's
Switch on: HR's are plentiful
interesting theory....i must investagate
I think a 2-out BOP by an infielder sparks a rally for the team hitting.
Seems everytime a groundball to second or short is bopped it comes back to bite them in the ass.
Another reason this game is so great, 2 out errors in baseball seem to do the same.
nothing gets a rally going like a guy making a spongebob or a travolta to end an inning and then leading off the next inning.. but where have you heard that one before.
i have noticed the homerun theory has merit... there are either numerous clouts or a giant batch of impotence.
kinda like when a basketball team cant make a basket... and then once they get the lid off it snowballs.
i find that a tell-tale sign to a beginning of a rally, are those slow rollers that just get out of the reach of a third baseman, or firstbaseman on the right side of the field. once these little cheap hits get runners on base, then you can rest assured that a major offensive onslaught will ensue.
2-out BOPs will get us going everytime. That and a homer off a brand new pitcher...
i think it's the hits that are actually foul balls, but are called fair.
I agree 2 out bops will lead to a homerun next pitch. There's nothing worse than bringing in a fresh arm to throw gas and the first pitch is in the stands. After that they always seem to throw 20 mph slower.
I've always found that a seeing eye single, like the ones just out of reach of the shortstop who is "hustling" to cover 3rd to leadoff the 9th is a great rally-starter, especially by someone around 6th or 7th in the lineup, then you bunt him over and pinch hit, usually good for at least one run, maybe a pinch hit dong.
We just had an 8-man RBI Baseball Tournament, and it gave proof to the 2-out bop as a rally starter. In a game in the playoff semifinals, a guy was playing as New York against another guy as Minnesota, and the Mets were ahead 3-1 in the 9th with 2 outs. A weak grounder to second, should be the end of the game... and it's a bop! A single to right, double down the line, single to left, and all of a sudden Minnesota wins 4-3. I could only describe it as awesome.
I'm suprised that no one else thought that a good defensive play will give their offense a boost next inning. I strongly feel that killing your opponents rally (ie double play) turns into a rally for you the very next inning. Interesting.
i have to go with my friends about the BOP or error...in any situation...especially in curve pitching, outs are so important...you have to get hte most you can...so any extra outs wears out your pitcher....plus, your team gets riled...the mark of a true gamer is he who can capitalize on your opponents mistakes..
the new pitcher that comes in and then gets a dong mashed off of him is by far the best starter of a rally, that always makes your opponent start sweating and thinking he should have kept in his other pitcher
I would say a lead-off hit by a pitcher. It leads to the top off the line-up where the powerhouses can get some runs scored.