small ball approach with bbcor

It's definitely harder to score run's in clumps like we use to do. Back to back bombs, multiple 2 and 3 run shots in a single game. I have watched 3 JUCO games this weekend and even though coaches talk about power, everyone uses the bunt, and not just in 1 run ball games.

IMO power doesn't mean hit homeruns - it means hit the ball very hard whether it's on the ground, linedrive or in the air.  The harder you hit the ball the more likely it will find open space.  When a ball is hit softly then the defense has a chance to get there and make a play.  It doesn't matter if you're using BBCOR, BESR, -3, -5 or fence posts to swing with.  A hard hit ball is better than anything else - even a bunt.

Does BBCOR mean you have to use the bunt more now than before?  Yes it does but the goal is still the same - hit the ball as hard as you can.  Hard hit balls have teeth that eat up fielders.

I've had people criticize me for this belief but I don't care - I would rather have my guys hit singles and doubles than homeruns.  Don't get me wrong if my guy hits one that barely gets over the fence or lands on the moon I"m going to pat him on the back and tell him great job.  But when you have runners on base you are putting more pressure on the defense to execute.  Give up a homerun a mentally strong pitcher can use the time the guy is circling the bases to refocus and get back to work because there's no pressure of holding runners on.

Regardless hit the ball hard.

BBCOR doesn't necessarily reduce power, but rather puts the game back in the right perspective, or better yet restores the game where is should be!   A ball on the hands should not carry over the infield for a single, a ball on the end of the bat should not be a gapper or HR....the previous bats were awarding hits where they should not, and took the emphasis away from good swing mechanics, and a game strategy that includes more bunts, steals, emphasis on walks, and hit and runs.

I know I am likely the minority here, but I was getting tired of watching hitters get fooled, out on their front leg - reaching, and still hitting HRs in Omaha.  You can still see that tape measure HR, but it has to be hit on the sweet spot, and hits off center from the sweet spot should not be rewarded.  Does this put an emphasis on strategy (small ball, etc.) absolutely.

just my .02 cents.

BBCOR has created moments when manufacturing a run may be needed. But teams shouldn't changed their style of play because of the bats. The big difference I see with BBCOR is if a team is down five runs they're on the verge of being pushed over the edge and out of the game.

Prospect: what you wrote is mainly the opposite....  HS coaches play more of the "score for the team", whereas Summer teams are showcasing talent, not so much playing the small ball game.  I would not be happy if my son was a power guy, and his Summer coach had him always trying to move the runner over, bunting, hit and run....not what will get him a college to look at him.  My experience is opposite of what you posted.  Is there some situational hitting in Summer showcase teams, I am sure there is some, but not the way you described.  And I see A LOT of small ball in HS for the TEAM....which is where you will find the "pride, and team first" mentality...which you should!

To the OP....I would answer your question by - it depends.  What kind of team do you have, table setters, with power behind???....not much power at all??...speed on the bases???....I would coach based on what style of team I have.  BBCOR changes that only to the extent that "off barrel swings" are not rewarded.

Prospect:  I understand what you are saying, I did not understand they were playing tournament (advance to keep playing) baseball.  I don't think our team has but maybe one or two, one PG Nationals in summer, and one PG WWBA in Winter where games are played to advance, otherwise the remainder of the summer are all scheduled game showcases, no trophies, or elimination games.

I would still suggest to the OP to go with whatever strengths, or weaknesses you have.  If you are able to play for the big inning with some moving the runner over - then go for it, otherwise if you are lacking in power, you can't count on the base hit flares from the bats of the past, and may want to employ more small ball.

great post coach2709, all true. What you have now for the most part are legitimate power guys. On my sons college team 4,5,6  can take you deep at any time. Whereas the rest are line drive guys, including my son. Almost like the old days. With the combination of BBCOR and the crackdown on PEDs we are slowly getting back how baseball used to be played. And I think that some scouts who cut their teeth during the steroid era are kind of bewildered as to what constitutes a good hitter. Power will always be power but expectations have to be adjusted. 

Passion: I'm struck by how you framed your question, so if you'll allow me ... let me ask it another way and see if it changes how you view hitting:

"Anyone else feel small ball is the way to go with wood bats ... or let the kids free swing it and hope for the best?"

I acknowledge I'm a purist when it comes to wood ... but since it's the way the game is played at the highest levels, wouldn't you agree that baseball offense shouldn't be an either/or choice between small ball and free-swinging? Small ball is a strategy that can win ballgames -- or lose ballgames. Free-swinging (as I define it) is almost always a sure loser. But letting power hitters be power hitters, assuming good plate discipline, is rarely a bad thing, is it?

You rarely see professional three-hole hitters bunt.

I have been thinking an awful lot lately about the new balls that will be used in 2015, and how much they will add to the game.  I understand what many are saying in regards to poorly hit balls becoming homeruns with the BESR Bats, but the BBCOR changed the game too much IMHO.  As a disclaimer, I am not a big fan of small ball.  I prefer power hitters.

Ryno, do you think they will add much distance?  I was thinking their main effect would be to make it harder to get breaking pitches to break.

In college games which involve good pitching(Friday/Saturday guys especially), a team which does not play small ball needs to have 9 awfully good hitters, each of whom barrel the ball consistently, or they have to play in a smaller ball park, or have some of each.  In bigger parks, too many well hit balls are outs, even for power guys, especially for night games when it is cooler or the air is heavier. Unless 1-9 can barrel the ball consistently, it is very tough to generate enough consecutive hits to score runs, unless there are walks, HBP's and errors built into the inning(Sunday/Tuesday pitching more frequently).

Stanford thus far this season might be a good example, since they don't play small ball, and most would agree they have talented hitters.

Against Friday/Saturday starters this year, their run totals are 3-1-3-1-1-1-2-4.

Against Sunday/Tuesday pitching, their run totals are 12-9-11-6-2-11-1.

While I am sure there are a number of others, the team I saw which has hitters 1-9 is UCSB. They are putting up impressive numbers nearly every weekend and it does not matter too much who is on the mound.  Earlier this year, I read an article that Miami hired a new strength and conditioning coach with the specific focus of getting guys stronger and more explosive as a way to upgrade the offensive issues they have experienced with bbcor. UCLA vs MSU in Omaha last year is probably a classic illustration of the impact of bbcor on power hitting or even good hitting when it is up against good pitching.

I hope so.  The WSU Study says they will, so I guess we will see.

I like and agree with almost everything Back Foot Slider has posted on here.  At the end of the day you need to play to the strengths of your team.  If you have guys who weigh 150 lbs soaking went you better be ready to bunt, hit and run, run and hit and all kinds of other things because you will have more success with that.  But you can still teach those 150 lbers to still take a good swing that will result in the most power that kid can develop.  The majority of their at bats during the season will be where they have to swing versus the number of times they will need to bunt.  While you may play small ball to work runners into scoring position you better teach them to make solid contact because that will get runners on and get them in once you bunt them over.

Another thing is where in lineup and point in the game you are if you bunt or swing.  If my leadoff guy gets on and I have a pretty good number two guy I'm not bunting - especially if I have a stud number three hitter who is going to get pitched around.  I will probably let it play out and see what happens or hit and run.  

If you play for one run that's usually all you get.  So late in the game if I need one run then I will play for one run.  That's where most of my bunting will be.  I guess overall I don't care what bat you give my guys - we are going to swing to hit the ball hard.  Where it goes is where it goes.

What he said.

This from Baseball America:

"The D-I switch was widely expected after an NCAA study revealed that the flat-seamed ball travels an average of 20 feet longer out of a pitching machine set to simulate typical home run conditions than the raised-seam ball".

The longer distance is attributed to lower drag, not higher exit speed.