Dodgers' new defensive positioning tactics

Eddie Jurak

Eddie Jurak

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Dec 12, 2002
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For this weekend's series vs the Mets in Citi Field, the Dodgers attempted to leave three markers in the OF (2 in CF, 1 on RF) to aid their outfielders with their positioning. Dodger personnel used a laser rangefinder to detemine the positions pregame and then tried to leave the markers in the field.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/los-angeles-dodgers-outfielder-new-york-mets-complaint-defense-laser-markers-ken-rosenthal-052816

The Dodgers may not be the only club who does this.
The Mets' grounds crew, however, told their superiors that the Dodgers informed them that if the markers were removed, Dodgers players would dig holes in the outfield with their cleats. The Mets then instructed their grounds crew to erase or obliterate anything they saw on the playing surface.

Using electronic devices to establish defensive positioning before games is permissible, sources said. The incident, however, raises the question of whether teams should be allowed to leave markers on the field. Other teams also have employed that practice, sources said.

Rival clubs have asked the Dodgers' grounds crew for permission to leave markers, and the Dodgers have said yes, a source said.
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mauidano

mauidano

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Just weird. Everything changes pitch by pitch, hitter by hitter. Isn't this the responsibility of the coaches to help adjust positioning? This is T-Ball stuff.
 
Soxfan in Fla

Soxfan in Fla

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The markers are for the shock collars the OFers wear. One shock is move left, two shocks move right....
 
keninten

keninten

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Nov 24, 2005
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With all the different defensive shifts nowadays. Wouldn`t it make sense for fielders to know exactly where they are going to help "speed up the game". Maybe in the next basic agreement rules could be applied to how many spots a team could mark on the field. Or if a coach could shoot a laser beams to the fielders position. I like the different shifts and always watch positioning of players when I go to any ballpark. Then again I don`t think there are any delays because of shifts. The pitcher usually never gets ready unltil his teammates are in position. Maybe I`m just a little messed up tonight after today`s loss.:wooper:
 
uncannymanny

uncannymanny

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Jan 12, 2007
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Maybe these professional players could just remember where they're supposed to play. No putting frigging markers on the field. Does Steph Curry get to put down markers where he feels good shooting pregame? Hogwash. Practice more.
 
P

Plympton91

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Oct 19, 2008
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Well, what we have to do is change the rules to make it easier for defenses to play shifts, but that decreases offense so then we offset that by changing the definition of the strike zone. It's all good.
 
DJnVa

DJnVa

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Dec 16, 2010
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No different than little league. Play on the worn out spot for most hitters, a few steps behind it for the cleanup guy, etc.
 
derekson

derekson

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Jun 26, 2010
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mauidano said:
Just weird. Everything changes pitch by pitch, hitter by hitter. Isn't this the responsibility of the coaches to help adjust positioning? This is T-Ball stuff.
Click to expand...
Presumably the markers are to have an anchor to use for precise relative positioning, not somewhere to stand all of the time...

As in, stand 3 meters to the left of the marker and 2 meters back when Ortiz is batting, etc.
 
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