Dee-Nee RBI Tournament 2003 today!

[vgp100]

I actually think that Boston and California have the edge over Detroit. Their benches are better and increases the odds of a first at bat HR. Posstibly putting the derby away early.

[sucka free]

You definitly want a leadoff guy that can hit HR's, its crucial.  BUt I still think that you would want a team that has a deep bench. Right now I think that you would want to be able to sub for the pitcher twice, meaning that you can only use 2 pinch hitters for your 1 thru 8 lineup.  I think Boston might be my choice in a 3 inning HR derby.  My line up would go

burks
buckner
boggs
rice
baylor
evans
gedman
armas
9th batter

I would save hendu and sullivan as pitcher hitters for the pitcher hoping that I can make it through the order twice.  Barret, buckner, boggs, and owens, are big stoplights in the lineup.  Buckner and boggs still have a shot at going deep so I would leave them in, barret and owens do not so they are out.  Again, you want to bring to the plate as many guys who can hit homeruns as possible.  Boston, in theory can bring 26 straight guys to the plate before you hit an automatic out (twice around the batting order using a sub for the pitcher each time and then an additional 1 thru 8).  All of these 26 straigh batters ahve a chance of hitting a HR.  Again, you do not want to bring to the plate someone who can never hit a HR being that you are only given 9 outs.  Currently, boston would be my choice.  Debate?

[Gantry]

With the pinch hitters, you can make a case for any of the Big 3.  And there's actually a bit of strategy involved as well.  When to sub guys, when to hope for a second chance in the order.  Save Burleson for the end to pinch hit for Schofield on the second try?   Or hope he and Hendrick both get to the 9th batter?  It's all very solid and I like it more and more...

[Lips]

The Home Run hitting contest would be cool with me.  We'll just have to start having those, every so often, for fun.

Everyone, please check out my new thread....regarding the Home Run Derby rules.  Thanks...

[Lips]

As the Dee-Nee tourney looms near, we are still trying to figure out a consensus tie-breaker.  So I figured I would bump this thread...

[Gantry]

Should probably post it on the forums for more ideas, but how about a new thread.  That's you lips...