Double Play with the Bases Loaded: Impossible?

[Waninski]

I've noticed over the course of one season that any sort of double play on a groundball to an infielder is virtually non-existent with the bases loaded. I have two issues here:

1) With bases loaded and no outs, even with the infield back, almost any throw is going to the plate. I just experienced a ground ball to the SS that should have been turned (or atleast attempted) as a 6-4-3 to get 2 outs despite the run scoring. This made even more sense in my particular instance since the league leader in RBIs was coming up next. Instead, my SS went to the plate for the force and the C tried to double up the batter at first to no avail. Sure enough, the RBI leader then hit a sac fly to LF for the first run of the inning, which should have been the third out of the inning. I have seen this poor decision in judgment several times, but can't remember once where the infield tried to turn the double play from 2nd to 1st.

2) I have not once seen the double play turned where the throw comes to the plate for one and the C tries to double up the batter at 1st, even on ground balls pack to the P. This play seems as rare as the outfielder throwing out a runner at third base (although I have seen this happen once this season). It should definitely be happening more often.

[sutto]

This just happened in a Playoff in my historical sim this morning. Proof that the DP does happen with bases loaded, although not that often. I have seen it previously though.

[Waninski]

GoodSox, I posted this originally in the Suggestions board, though I believe some of its contents apply to this board as well:

http://ootpdevelopments.com/board/sh...d.php?t=137026

[Goodsox]

Merged this into the suggestions forum. As shown above by sutto there is not a bug. Double plays do happen with the bases loaded.

[Nihilianth]

i finally have a league where im playing out every single pitch in every single game, and im only 25 games into my second season. essentially, ive played 101 games this way and have seen a bunch of 5-2-3 DPs, 1 1-2-3 DP, and a couple of 6-2-3s occur. in fact, so far they double up runners with bases loaded more often than not. besides, even if the catcher cant double up the runner at first, its still smarter to go home with it with no outs, even if the team stadns a better chance going from 2nd to 1st, cuz if that happens, the runner on 3rd will score anyways

also i remember when i played HS ball, and we had the bases loaded, all 3 runners would take a huge lead, and half the time the batter would try a suicide squeeze just to avoid a DP. i do the same thing in ootp2k6, and it works a good 75% of the time.

[Waninski]

Originally Posted by Nihilianth

i finally have a league where im playing out every single pitch in every single game, and im only 25 games into my second season. essentially, ive played 101 games this way and have seen a bunch of 5-2-3 DPs, 1 1-2-3 DP, and a couple of 6-2-3s occur. in fact, so far they double up runners with bases loaded more often than not. besides, even if the catcher cant double up the runner at first, its still smarter to go home with it with no outs, even if the team stadns a better chance going from 2nd to 1st, cuz if that happens, the runner on 3rd will score anyways

also i remember when i played HS ball, and we had the bases loaded, all 3 runners would take a huge lead, and half the time the batter would try a suicide squeeze just to avoid a DP. i do the same thing in ootp2k6, and it works a good 75% of the time.

It sounds like you're playing a completely different game from me, because I can never turn the bases loaded double play when coming home with it.

Also, not really in the mood to get into a baseball strategy argument here, but I must ardently protest. If it's a for sure thing that you have a good chance at doubling up the batter, then you should throw home, agreed. But if the ball is hit to the middle of the infield or to the corners if they are playing back, you always want to go from second to first to avoid the big inning. Any manager would gladly sacrifice that one run with the bases loaded and no outs rather than risking letting three or four more come across.

[BruceM]

Originally Posted by Waninski

It sounds like you're playing a completely different game from me, because I can never turn the bases loaded double play when coming home with it.

Also, not really in the mood to get into a baseball strategy argument here, but I must ardently protest. If it's a for sure thing that you have a good chance at doubling up the batter, then you should throw home, agreed. But if the ball is hit to the middle of the infield or to the corners if they are playing back, you always want to go from second to first to avoid the big inning. Any manager would gladly sacrifice that one run with the bases loaded and no outs rather than risking letting three or four more come across.

It's not a matter of arguing baseball strategy, it's a must to consider it. Every situation is different. What was the situation for you?

Consider the following, which a small sample of what has to be considered:

Is it a close game?

Is the runner on 3rd the tying or go ahead run? What inning is it?

Lots of things to consider when you get right down to it. Every manager is different as well. What Tony La Russa does in one situation, Boby Cox may do something completely different.

[Nihilianth]

yeah, my high school team was one of the best defensive teams in the state (pa). in fact, we had a glavine-maddux-smoltz type pitchers that were good at gettin hitter to ground out, but we didnt have very much offense to speak of, so our coach had us go for the home to first, since runs were pretty scarce in our games.

again, in my league, the players on my team happen to have excellent ratings at turning dps, so....ya know, it happens a few times throughout a season on my team