Nadir

by Basil on Jun 30, 2006 7:07 AM EDT in News

If it were like six years ago, I might be inclined to note that this (13 losses in 16 games) is sort of where, in a Behind the Music episode, the band hits the inevitable rock bottom because of substance abuse or the drummer loses his arm due to a car accident or hyper-ravenous rodents or something.

But it's not six years ago, so I'll note that it can only get better---and it will get better. But it didn't get better last night. Let's see:

John Patterson? "Dead arm."
Brian Schneider? Trying not to drive himself crazy.
Shawn Hill, Livan Hernandez? Elbow, tweaked knee.
Stan Kasten? Still not officially in charge.
Congress? Ineffectually interceding into the MASN/Comcast thingy:
The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved a measure urging the Federal Communications Commission to act upon a year-old request by the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network that could force the Comcast cable company to end its refusal to carry most Nationals games to millions of fans.
The House Appropriations Committee said in a report that it "strongly urges the FCC to act expeditiously upon the complaint . . . regarding Washington Nationals baseball."
"I brought it up at the hearing, and we came to the conclusion that inserting this language would be good to let the FCC know that on behalf of the folks who live in this area, these games should be on TV," said Rep. Jose E. Serrano (D-N.Y.), who said he asked the language be inserted because he wants to watch Nationals games on television.

On the bright side, Marlon Anderson sure must've received some PEDicure yesterday. Two homers and an RBI double?! What got into him?!

Just kidding---Marlon's all man, baby.

* * * *

So I received this book in my figurative Christmas stocking a few months back, and I figure this is a good time to break it out---not much to talk about with the Nats at current. The book? Baseball Bafflers: The Grand Slam. Hey, cool. Must be better than the Catcher's Indifference edition.

Anyway, keeping in mind I hardly ever follow through on running features, I thought I'd try on a "baffler" for the people of the square table here:

THE HASTY RETREAT

Oakland's center fielder is on second base ready to steal third. He gets a good jump on the Yankee pitcher as the batter flies out to the outfield. Running with his head down [ed: because he's a member of the "Moneyball" A's, of course---Derek Jeter would never do something so fundamentally unsound], the A's player doesn't see the fly being caught, and is decoyed into sliding by the Yanks' third baseman [ed: obviously not ARod].

In doing so, he overslides third. The third-base coach, seeing what had happened, helps the runner to this feet; since the fly was caught, and the A's outfielder has to return to second, he does directly back.

What two things are wrong with this play?

Later on, I'll post the answer in "Read More."

As correctly noted:

1. third-base coach cannot physically aid the runner;

2. runner must re-touch the base he overslid before returning to second.

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Comments

Touch Third?

The runner has to touch third on the way back to second? You know, in order to "undo" touching third...

Nationals Farm Authority - I'm just the guy running the Big Board and helping out where I can. http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/

by Scott @ Federal Baseball on Jun 30, 2006 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

Inappropriate touching

The third base coach can't be out there helping the runner to his feet. If that were allowed therr should be a coach assigned to providing Daryle Ward and Matt LeCroy with extra propulsion.

Nats Triple Play... 3 times the pointless blather of other Nats blogs.

by Nate @ Federal Baseball on Jun 30, 2006 8:45 AM EDT reply actions

Awesome Idea!

We could have the entire team line up along the first baseline, pushing Ward's bulk like they do in roller derby!

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Jun 30, 2006 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not even sure that . . .

. . . Star Wars physics could suitably accomplish that, Nate!

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla! And Brian Lawrence!

by Basil on Jun 30, 2006 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

The Real Answer....

... is that an A's batter would never steal third.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Jun 30, 2006 9:09 AM EDT reply actions

True, true

I'd like to see Conan do a Herb Washington-John Jaha "If they made it."

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla! And Brian Lawrence!

by Basil on Jun 30, 2006 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Another answer

Ok, so the coach can't help the batter up, and the batter might be called out for leaving the basepaths if he slid too far over third.

Either way, he'd be gunned out at second before he had time to get back.

These teasers are cool though. I challenge you to come up with some Nats-related ones!

I'll try:

It's the bottom of the fifth and the Nats are down 6-0 to the Mets. Pedro is pitching. The Nats have Matt LeCroy on first and there is one out. Marlon Byrd comes to the plate to pinch hit for Royce Clayton. Frank startles awake in the dugout and sends in the sign for the hit and run. Pedro winds and delivers and Byrd taps the first pitch weakly to the third baseman, who throws out a huffing and puffing LeCroy at second, where the shortstop lazily turns the double play. Inning over.

What five things are wrong with this play?

by Brandon @ Federal Baseball on Jun 30, 2006 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

Hmmm...

Bottom 5, the Nats would be down by more.
Matt LeCroy wouldn't play against a righty.
It's too early to PH for Clayton
Marlon Byrd wouldn't be able to pull a pitch, even weakly.
Pedro pitching against the Nats is just plain wrong.

http://dcbb.blogspot.com -- Stealing Hits From Basil's Blog since 2005.

by Chris @ Federal Baseball on Jun 30, 2006 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

my guesses

Pedro still in game even though by the bottom of the 5th he would have buzzed Jose Guillen twice causing Jose to run out to the mound and beat Pedro to death.
Byrd hit the ball on the hit and run. Obviously he'd swing and miss and LeCroy would be thrown out at second.
Frank would never pinch-hit a young punk (Marlon) for a proven veteran (Royce)
Everyone knows Eddie Rodriguez sends in the signs (as well as fill in lineup cards, makes in game decisions, and answers Frank's emails)
Jose Reyes doesn't do anything lazily. He's a sparkplug!

Fire Bowden! Fire Boswell! Fire anyone with a last name that begins with "Bo"* just to be sure! *excluding "Boteman", of course

by harper on Jun 30, 2006 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Good idea, Brandon!

Just for extra measure, I'd note that Marlon Byrd would actually tap the pitch to second; tapping to third would imply he could sort of get around on a pitch. ;-)

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla! And Brian Lawrence!

by Basil on Jun 30, 2006 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions