re: Ryan Theriot on the missed DP by Arky

You are right. There was ZERO hesitation in him going to third. None

Which is just crazy because that runs means nothing. Look he screwed up, but there was a meeting on the mound right before that with the coach. He also lays huge blame because no matter the level of baseball you are pounding in your players heads there what to do. Clearly he didn’t

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That was the biggest blunder of the game…. Far more than Bear dropping the turn in the 8th

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These types of things happen, and if they don’t turn 2, especially because he gives a lackluster delivery, he is facing the same level of scrutiny now. Regardless if he had a “plan”, he fielded the ball and had to make a decision, which was 1 more out with a two run lead.

Everyone is focusing on where Milam was but not the play at 2nd. If for whatever reason he just wasn’t feeling the move to second, he made the right decision.

It could have ended the game, but several times in that game the double play was not converted, so I don’t know why everyone is treating it as a given.

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quote:That was the SEC POY and he simply blew it. pressure busts a pipe sometimes

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Exactly like Theriot said he probably felt his heartbeat in his throat at that moment. Who is to say he goes to flip and because of his nerves he sails it to center field. It’s easy to say when you aren’t in the moment it’s in an easy double play ball. But he clearly felt the moment was too big.

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The last thing you do in that situation is get the force out on a run that doesn’t matter.

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This is such a stupid baseball term. Of course that run matters

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Worst case, you try and turn 2 and you don’t get Milam,,, same situation with 2 out and 1 runner in scoring position. Or you make an error and Curiel scores… still have the lead with 2 outs… but at least you gave yourself a chance to win.

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Which would also increase their chances of losing if not converted. Again I can hardly fault the kid being conservative trying to get 9 more innings. If it were the other way around, I’d expect LSU to try to make the double play and end the game to advance. Context matters

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Well in some situations that is the correct play, like with 2 outs.

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Only time that’s the right play is in a one run game and less than two outs.

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He’s not talking so much about the speed of the play on the 2nd one. It’s more about intent & positioning & having your body and feet ready to go to 2nd base

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I didn't interpret what he said that way, but let's assume that is what he meant.....there was still time to turn 2. Instinctually, you would expect he'd sense that as an experienced SS?

I still think Aloy was momentarily disoriented and had forgotten the situation. Maybe he thought it was a 1 run game and not 2. Maybe he thought there were no outs instead of 1. Players sometimes forget counts, forget the score, # of outs, baserunning positions, etc. If he hammered home in his own mind "1 out, runners on 1st and 2nd, DP ends it," he is charging that grounder to set up the 6-4-3. He didn't, which tells me he wasn't fully aware of the situation at the time the ball was hit.

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He will never admit it and we will never know, but i truly think for like 2.8 secs he thought there was no outs.

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I think this is the case, but it still would’ve been the wrong play.

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The only thing that makes me question this theory is if you just watch him the moment he lets the ball go he is very sheepish. Like he knew he fricked up as the ball left his hand.

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100%

I’ve seen that exact reaction before. He starts almost looking up as soon as the ball leaves his hand, almost to exhale and say “frick, why did I do that.”

Yeah. He was nervous and took the out. At that time he figured, we still up by 2 runs and its 2 outs. We need one out to win....everyone for Arkie at the time figured this and it wasn't a big issue as much as they realized once we came back and won.

I totally agree with Theriot. Fundamentals are very important and making decisions before each play about where your gonna go based on the situation is key. People may say "first step" what? But that small piece of fundamental application would have made the difference in his decision to field a 6-4-3.

I'll say this, when it comes to "pressure" in a big game let's just say I've been in that fire as a player and as a Coach and ill take ballers with "no pulse" all day. These guys rise in the big games.