But does that really work? We have been told that professional athletes are creatures of habit. They are geared to a set routine, whether it is rest, training, diet, work-outs, practice and in game situations.
So the idea that a baseball manager is going into a new season wanting to mix things up is troublesome.
It is fine to mix things up in intersquad or split square spring training games. Even though the Cubs have
enough position players already in camp to fill a roster for an
intrasquad game, manager Joe Maddon hasn't seen enough of them to be
able to fill out a lineup card yet.
But Joe Maddon has eluded to the fact that some Cubs fans may be puzzled by some of his lineup combinations.
"You know I'm not going to be afraid to try different things," Maddon told Cubs.com.
But Joe Maddon has eluded to the fact that some Cubs fans may be puzzled by some of his lineup combinations.
"You know I'm not going to be afraid to try different things," Maddon told Cubs.com.
That could include batting a pitcher eighth, depending on who he's facing that day.
Maddon said his bench coach Dave Martinez and himself will meet and write down one week's worth of lineups prior to the start of Cactus League games on March 5th. He said he likes to think about what he's going to do while riding his bike. "There will be a lot of haphazard stuff," Maddon said.
Maybe Maddon will get the daily tinkering out of his system before the real season starts.
A set lineup brings a level of stability and maturity to a roster. If players know where they will be batting on a daily basis, they can prepare for their role and potential situations better. A lead off hitter needs to bring the mind set of getting on base (hit or walk), while a #2 hitter has to have the skills and mind set to move a runner along (walk or sacrifice or hit and run). Bouncing players up and down the line up card does not allow a hitter to adjust to those requirements.
Maddon said his bench coach Dave Martinez and himself will meet and write down one week's worth of lineups prior to the start of Cactus League games on March 5th. He said he likes to think about what he's going to do while riding his bike. "There will be a lot of haphazard stuff," Maddon said.
Maybe Maddon will get the daily tinkering out of his system before the real season starts.
A set lineup brings a level of stability and maturity to a roster. If players know where they will be batting on a daily basis, they can prepare for their role and potential situations better. A lead off hitter needs to bring the mind set of getting on base (hit or walk), while a #2 hitter has to have the skills and mind set to move a runner along (walk or sacrifice or hit and run). Bouncing players up and down the line up card does not allow a hitter to adjust to those requirements.
