152 pitches

**Strike For The South** · 05-21-2014, 03:51

In pony league. These guys are blowing out their elbows out before they lose their virginity

**Greyblades** · 05-21-2014, 10:46

Christ, strike is becoming Fragony.

**drone** · 05-21-2014, 16:39

It's a conspiracy between managers and the Tommy John Industrial Complex. Thanks Obama.

**ReluctantSamurai** · 05-21-2014, 18:15

Tommy John Industrial Complex.

Well, they can always sell prints of their pre-surgery MRI's. TJ himself just put up 20 signed MRI's for something like $1500 USD, recently

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 05-21-2014, 22:48

Originally Posted by Greyblades

Christ, strike is becoming Fragony.

It's the booze.

Kad does it too.

**Seamus Fermanagh** · 05-22-2014, 17:02

Originally Posted by Strike For The South

In pony league. These guys are blowing out their elbows out before they lose their virginity

The number, of itself, would be less worrisome if it didn't also come with too much pressure to throw curves, sliders and even screwjies at that age. Moreover, in the golden age of the game, you were expected to throw at about 80-85% unless facing their best hitters so that you could preserve arm strength. That is another trend that is headed the wrong way IMHO.

**Strike For The South** · 05-22-2014, 19:26

Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh

The number, of itself, would be less worrisome if it didn't also come with too much pressure to throw curves, sliders and even screwjies at that age. Moreover, in the golden age of the game, you were expected to throw at about 80-85% unless facing their best hitters so that you could preserve arm strength. That is another trend that is headed the wrong way IMHO.

Yup. The pressure on these kids to expand their repertoire is insane. It used to be a guy could go into the minors with 2 pitches (and that second pitch was probably shaky) Now the only way that happens is if you throw 98 MPH and you are already pigeonholed as a relief guy.

I honestly think Tommy John was the worst thing to happen to the game. Well that, and the pressure on these kids to produce in these ridiculous select leagues. Basically you can only break into baseball now if you're an upper middle class white guy or a subsidized Dominican. Couple the heavy financial investment with baseball Dads and I pity these umps.

A perfect example of it was this game, they clearly went over the pitch count and everyone stayed mum

**The Lurker Below** · 05-22-2014, 19:35

The biggest change from the golden days is the strike zone. We wanted more glamour in the game - home runs - so we tightened up the zone so any big ape could make contact. Now we don't have hitters so much as we have lumberjacks. Relax that strike zone and the pressure to put movement on the ball eases up a lot. Then you also lose your home runs, and supposedly, attendance.

**Seamus Fermanagh** · 05-22-2014, 21:09

Originally Posted by The Lurker Below

The biggest change from the golden days is the strike zone. We wanted more glamour in the game - home runs - so we tightened up the zone so any big ape could make contact. Now we don't have hitters so much as we have lumberjacks. Relax that strike zone and the pressure to put movement on the ball eases up a lot. Then you also lose your home runs, and supposedly, attendance.

Oh yeah! Put it back to the bottom of the numbers to the top of the knees and you might actually have to pay a contact hitter or two.....

**Papewaio** · 05-23-2014, 05:41

All professional games are getting faster/fitter and more intense.

And more about chasing the marketing money then the sweet science. Thing is it causes a long term boredom with most games when only one (safe) style is played.