Loaded Bases

[hamhead]

British guy learning game with cricket background.

When bases are loaded it always seems the next batter tires to hit the ball out the ground. If he does they we score 4 home runs, he's a hero and good chance we will win the game. I get that but this happening seems really rare.

So why doesnt he try to hit it low/along the ground this would give us 1-2 runs
and must be easier to do than home run and hence should happen more often than trying for massive home run. In cricket terms this would keep score board ticking over, put pitcher and fielders on pressure.

This may not work in baseball but have always wondered why?

[JosephC]

Good question and I think I follow along. This really depends on the batter that is up. For example, if Ichiro Suzuki is up with the bases loaded the odds of him hitting a home run are very slim. In fact, his style is to try and pull the ball to get to first base. He can hit a home run or grand slam, but he is better by just trying to get a base hit and get 2 or 3 runs in.

Take another player, Ken Griffey Jr. for example, he is considered to be a power hitter and he will try to "hit the ball out of the ground" or also known as a home run grand slam.

So I think the best way to answer that is that it depends who is at bat. It is very hard to hit a grand slam but it does happen a few times a season and it changes the game by a score of 4 and thus players want to hit one if they can.

Lastly I dont know how cricket is played but if you hit it along the ground right to a fielder there is also a chance for a double play (meaning two outs in one play) and players always want to avoid this. Another reason for them to hit for power is because they can hit it far enough where a runner can tag (they must wait for the ball to be catched) then they can run to home once they tag the base after it has been catched. This allows for one and only one run to easily score.

I hope this helps a little!