Shifts against players have become commonplace in baseball
Shifts in baseball have become commonplace at the Major and minor league level. They are used tactically to try to prevent hitters from getting on base by placing defenders in more accurate positions. Essentially, teams want to put defenders where the hitters put the ball in play most often.
This is a simple enough concept, except when hitters try to improve their own odds by laying down a bunt, some people get mad at the ‘lack of competition’ by the hitter. A recent Twins-Orioles game had this dilemma when rookie catcher Chance Sisco laid down a bunt with one out in the ninth inning and his team trailing 7-0.
Sisco, a rookie with minimal playing experience, had a defensive shift put on him at the tail end of the game. Trying to help his team win by getting on base, the catcher got the better of the shift and reached base easily with a drag bunt down the third base line.
The Orioles ended up loading the bases and providing a little bit of drama, although they did not score any runs and were still shut out in the contest. The Twins’ Brian Dozier took issue with Sisco for laying down a bunt with the game in the situation it was.
Dozier made a point of saying that he was not a fan of the bunt, but that the Orioles had veterans who would take care of the situation. Unfortunately for Dozier, social media seemed to take care of the situation by letting the veteran infielder have it. I am about to do some of the same.
One other point Dozier made was that the Orioles did not hold a runner on in a previous inning, and the Twins did not steal. Therefore, they were conceding the chance to steal and score more runs.
If Brian Dozier wants everybody to play fair and play by the rules, written or unwritten, then he needs to not be in a shift against a rookie catcher in the last inning of a game his team with his team up by seven runs. If everyone simply concedes that a game is over at a certain point before the game is actually over, then why keep playing the game? Have a run rule instituted like amateur baseball does, or play fewer innings. It makes NO SENSE to be complaining about a player trying to help his team win, especially when the defense gives him zero respect for bunting.
Shifts are acceptable for the defense, but drag bunts are not acceptable from hitters?
The Orioles’ rookie would probably not have bunted had the defense been in its standard positions. Even if Minnesota plans shifts on Sisco whenever they face the young catcher, there should be no uneasiness when he tries to even out his odds by bunting.
To quote the infamous line by Herm Edwards: ‘You play to win the game!’ If Dozier had a problem with the bunt, he has every right to say what he did. There was nothing unprofessional with how he handled what he thought was a situation gone awry. However, he should be able to see the situation from both sides of the field. A player with 20 career at-bats is trying to prove to his club he belongs in the big leagues. Doing whatever he can to help his team win is at the top of his agenda, especially when Buck Showalter is the skipper.
If the Twins stop their running game because they are up by “enough” runs, that is their decision. It is not their decision how hard their opponents play and when they decide that enough is enough.
Every player and manager may see things a little differently, but the unwritten rules are just that for a reason – they are not official rules. Veterans may try to enforce certain unwritten rules, but if a game is still within reach, all bets should be off. Every game counts. Even a rookie like Chance Sisco knows that.
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