Showalter a 2-way philosopher
the popups.
“(Popups) show the ability to impart backspin and show power. So when I see a weak popup that doesn’t stay in the air very long, I remember Birdie (telling me), ‘When I see a guy who hits a popup that’s up in the air forever, this guy has some pop.’ And I tell you, he’s right. So that was my ‘exit velocity.’ ”
Showalter believes many of the new stats are based on things scouts looked for in players but couldn’t quantify with exact numbers.
“It just doesn’t require eyeballs anymore,” he said. “It doesn’t require gut, and it doesn’t require experience. It’s a cold number. Don’t get me going.” Oh, sorry. Too late. “There’s a place for both of them,” Showalter said before moving on to backspin.
“What is it?” he said. “Rotational spin?”
Actually it’s spin rate, the revolutions per minute on a pitch.
“You get great spin rate on your breaking ball, but if you hang it, or if you throw it in the middle of your strike zone … ” he said.
Showalter, as one might suspect, is not really into modern technology.
“The ballpark has become so busy with entertainment things,” he said. “It will actually make someone look up from their computers or their phones.”
With all the tweeting, Showalter feels sorry for the plight of the modern-day baseball writer, who he suspects is unable to focus on the actual game.
“I know you (media) guys have a tough time watching every pitch of every game because you’re constantly having to do something,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll go, ‘Wow, I didn’t get asked about that. Must’ve been during a tweet.’ You guys have a lot of pulls on you. Have to be first, right? And right. In that order.” And “clever,” he was informed. “Sarcastic,” he replied. “You say clever. I say sarcastic.”
Now what was it we were talking about again? TOUCHING ’EM ALL