Greg Golson

Art or Science? How you answer this question on hitting will dictate how you go about doing it and teaching it. Article below x.com/i/article/2081…

Gray for me. I was taught bunting after the 5th is questionable in a perfect game or no hit bid, especially with a 5-run deficit. If the score is 2-0 (or even 3-0) its a different story. But the fact that bunt didn't get down seems to be to be what makes the whole thing irrelevant. Maybe he was trying to fluster the pitcher, which clearly worked because he later got a hit.

I still can get over the lack of awareness from these CLE players. It’s not even close to the “Unwritten Rule”. Very frustrating for us former players to see. Let me know if you have a different opinion than mine but the CLE players were in the wrong.

@JMikeMLB Bruised*

@JMikeMLB Guys learn to act right with bruises ribs!

I know a quick and easy way to stop that!

@_mcameron44 Man this aint fair! You can call most of these dudes!

You've likely seem many many many more times that a 5 run lead holds. Play your game, just know that doing things like that will also get managers to remember those antics. In football, you run the ball with a big lead. In basketball, it'll cause a brawl if you score a layup as time runs out with a large lead. Teams/coaches don't like getting the score run up on them and certain things signal that a player doesn't understand the honor and respect aspect of the game. There's plenty of people in baseball that will take that as an opportunity to teach a lesson, which can be painful for you or your teammates.

@GoGoGolson @xanbarksdale 100%. Again whos to say that game belongs to someone? I have seen much bigger leads than 5 runs evaporate many many times. And at all levels of baseball. What youre asking about is a 5 run rule. Cuz you might as well forfeit if youre not allowed to play the game after going down.

The opposing pitcher has a perfect game going. What is the last inning where it's acceptable to attempt to bunt for a hit? (9 inning game) I've got my answer in my head, but want to see what you think first...

@SangilloJohn This is why I prefer to call it a "stroke" instead of a "swing". The finish is a product of stroke. How you get to the ball dictates the finish. Otherwise the finish becomes the focus. A pretty finish means nothing with poor contact

Level shoulders = more plate coverage. The last time I checked, the body works according to the hip and shoulder angles established at foot down. Those angles determine how the body organizes through the swing. The barrel isn’t something you “steer” it’s an extension of the lead arm delivered by rotation, not manipulation. High pitch? Lower finish. Low pitch? Higher finish. The finish isn’t a style choice it’s a response to the task. To match the plane of the pitch, the body must organize accordingly. A higher pitch requires a flatter shoulder plane. A lower pitch requires a steeper shoulder plane. Good hitters don’t force positions. They organize movement. No universal finish. Just one job.. match the plane, cover the zone, and let the body solve the problem.

I bunted a lot in my career. In a 5 run ballgame, if you bunt to get on and the next guy gets drilled. He knows exactly why. That's a conversation you'll have to have in the clubhouse that might get uncomfortable. Do you think it's fair game to bunt late in the game when your team has a 5+ run lead?

@GoGoGolson @xanbarksdale I get everything you're saying. But why? I would take it as the ultimate form of flattery. The batter is saying this is the last thing I can think of today with the way you're throwing. I remain, it should be an easier out if the 3B is paying attention.

Fair question. But baseball differs because the offense doesn't hold the ball. There's a lot of trust that goes into stepping in the box. You CAN bunt, but you can't be surprised when 26 guys in the opposing uniform remember that bunt for the rest of their careers. Respect and honor are expected or you leave yourself and teammates open to retaliation, be it that game or years later.

@GoGoGolson @xanbarksdale Here's my question: why do you get tools taken out of your tool bag because the other guy is doing better than you? I'm looking for any tool in the bag I can find to help me do the job. A 5-0 lead is not safe. Who's to say the game belonged to Williams? Might as well forfeit?

A day is like a dollar … It can be spent wisely or foolishly, but once it’s spent, it cannot be spent again.

@KWBaseball "The dollar that bought the bottle could have struck the lotto" -Nas

@xanbarksdale A little gamesmanship to throw off the pitcher's mental focus by showing bunt can go a long way too. Don't even have to attempt the bunt, but the pitcher gets flustered and the corner infielders have to respect it, opening up holes in the infield.

This is mostly my thought...if the on deck hitter can tie/go ahead then it's almost always fair game if that's part of your game. If it's your first bunt attempt all year it's not a good look, ha!

@theCJHester @xanbarksdale You can lay a bunt down in a questionable situation. But you better be ready to squabble or wear a fastball in the ribs if the opponent doesn't like it.

@xanbarksdale This is a silly debate. It's part of the game. My opinion is once you reach the 4th or 5th ish, your 3B should be on red alert that someone might try to break it up that way. Then the batter is doing the pitcher a favor by being an easy out. Bunt whenever you want.

When the world zigs, it's not a terrible idea to get really good at zagging.

Only time sliding into first is warranted (imo) is when the pitcher is covering. Sliding in that situation avoids the swipe tag by the pitcher and uses the element of surprise by staying out of the pitcher's periphery. Sliding head first is a big injury risk in any case though. (Love your content. Showing the baserunners some love. Much needed)

BY POPULAR DEMAND: Does diving into 1B get you there faster? Statcast timed Brett Gardner, who swore by it, and every run-through beat the dive. Research agrees: Haag (2020) found running beats sliding + that hand injuries are an issue. Sprint through the bag!

@C_R_Enn A 1st baseman that can pick bad throws in the dirt or has a big catch radius makes infielder so confident and more willing to take risks. One that can't makes them press and try to be perfect on routine plays.

@GoGoGolson From real baseball people and their teammates, yes. From the analytics crowd and people who have never actually played competitively, no

"1st base has little defensive value" - nerds

@TDElliott1 Likewise! Looking like a solid start for the Astros! See you soon!

@GoGoGolson great seeing you today at Concordia. Looking forward to you working with my son. Be in touch soon!

A to B

After a long journey, I’m excited to announce I’ll continue playing the game I love at the next level with @MCChapBaseball. Thank you to my parents, family, coaches, and teammates for the support along the way. Blessed and ready to become a Chap! @LonestarBSBclub @ThrallBall.