Why are pitchers usually bad hitters?
439078
Yes they do take BP but not nearly as much as position players. Pitchers, unlike position players, are not expected to spend as much time practicing hitting against Major League pitching. Even for a Major League hitter this can be difficult. \n\nIn order for a position player to be considered a good (complete player) he must be able to hit consistantly, because usually they are in the line-up everyday. \n\nPitchers, on the other hand, are only in the lineup every 5th day. The average MLB position player bats 500-600 times per year compared to a pithcher who bats about 70 times per year. Hence, the priority for a pitcher to be able to hit well, is not very high.\n\nNevertheless, it is not against the rules for a pitcher to practice more. Most pitchers, however, do practice their bunting skills more than position players, as teams place a higher priority on this skill for pitchers.
996772
To me it has it good  points and its bad ones.  I do think it should be the same in both the leagues however.  Alot of pitchers now are at least respectable batters and runners some are even pretty good, but having a DH saves their shoulders and helps avoid injuries from running and sliding. Good pitchers are hard to replace and you don't want to see them on the disabled list.
532163
There are many theories here, and there are also many ways to do it but the best option is a balanced team. You need to both score and not allow runs so it is best to have a balance of pithcing fielding and defense. It is also to have a cohesive team. Since the season is very long the team needs to get along or else conflicts will arise and have a negative impact on how the team performs. The exact formula of how much pitching defense and fielding is a tricky question to which there isnt one good answer. The White Sox were a good example of how to build a team, they had some very good power hitters and some real speadsters. They had some good defenders and a very good starting pitching rotation. They really didnt have many stars but were solid at all positions.
1038420
Of course, but they would remain in the position of DH throughout the game. If they send their designated hitter into the field, however, then they would lose the DH and the pitcher would have to bat.
1057992
1.  As a hitter, you look for top spin (opposite of fastball).  Also, occasionally a pitcher will drop his elbow when he throws the curve.  Look for that.\n\n2.  The best 0-2 pitch is often a fastball high and in.  It's called "wasting a pitch" but either causes an aggresive hitter to swing at a bad pitch or sets up a timid hitter to put a bad swing on a next pitch low and away.\n\n3.  For velocity and control, go with the "4-seam" grip (across the widest space between seems).
627377
Pitching is why the Cubs are losing. They have plenty of offense and play in an offensive haven called Wrigly field. Look at the scores of the last few days. 10-3 9-5 and 4-3, the only close game was teh 4-3. It was also the only game when the Cub's pitchers didn't get bombed. These losses were to the Padres and Giants, these are not exactly offensive powerhouse teams. \n\nMaddux is 5-3 with a good ERA. Thats one good pitcher. Looks like Zambrino has been ripped off by the relief staff, 1-2 with a 3.88 ERA means he lost a few Wins because of relief. The rest of the staff is stinking up the rotation or is batting practice for other teams. Teams win and lose by pitching. \n\nAs for Derek Lee he's not even having a great year. .318 with 3 HRs and 10 RBI aint much. It's true the Cubs are hurting for offense. When Todd Walker is playing first base you know they need some more hitting. All the hitting in the world doesn't make up for bad pitching as the Rangers have proven season after season.
630643
First point, disagree. Not everybody knows how to slide properly. Even if they do, every time you slide into second, possible injury comes into play for the fielder and the runner.\n\nSecond point, umps already do. They make sure the player touches the bag, before they call him out.
595498
the pitcher is credited with a strikeout, however the team batting is not charged with an out.  thus, a pitcher can have more than 3 strikeouts in a single inning!
344199
1.5 is average to below average.\n\nExcellent pitchers have a 1.1 or lower
658692
First three should be strong hitters, #4 is a great batter because they are cleanup.  For the rest it is mixed up they normally don't put all the good hitters together, because them when it comes time for all of the poor hitters it will be three up three down.  That is the way the lineup is normally. So if you are already a decent hitter then you just have to find a way either to get yourself noticed, or if you need help with hitting get that help and see if the coach notices the improvement.Hope that helped.
396195
Depends.  Many pitchers don't need to be totally fit because their mechanics to throw a good pitch only rely on certain parts of their bodies.  But some players are physical specimens like Albert Pujols and Gary Sheffield who can most likely beat you up or pros in the NFL or NBA.
515456
Strikeout is negative thing for batter. He is supposed to make contact with the ball. But the object for the pitcher is to make the batter miss or throw the ball over the plate between the batter's waist and his knee's. This is the typical "strike zone".. Miss the ball 3 times and you're "out"..If perhaps the batter after already having 2 strikes to the "count", he hits the ball, tipping it backwards, sorta like a foulball, but it goes right in to the catchers mitt, it's an automatic out.\n\nTeam's offense gets 3 outs per inning. Nine innings a game. 162 games in a season. Strikes...\nGood thing for pithcher to throw. Not really a bad thing for a hitter to get unless he gets three in an at-bat. \nPitchers objective-Throw strikes and get strikeouts or get the person to hit the ball to a player on the defense hopefully on a pop up or a ground ball to the infield for an easy out.. Do that alot and you are great pitcher.\n\nMerril must be a batter and strike out alot.
165654
I don't think they do it by games, I think they do it by innings - some games take longer than others, and sometimes a pitcher may only pitch part of a game (hence the distinction between SP and RP).  Your local AD would probably have that information.
570444
unfortunately I think the yankees are because they have a deeper bench, better hitters and pitchers.\nI must say though that answering this question like this really hurts because I am a red sox fan.\nBut the reality of it is, is that the rsd sox have deminished their position players to much, and they really only have two maybe three quality hitters in their line up now.
188381
Same reason Flintoff or Pietersen can't open an innings.  There has always been a case for someone to open up a lead and then the big hitters come in to push the score up.  Especially when the ball is new and it can swing, bounce extra which is more of a liability to these type of players.
750987
Let me put it this way:  Hideki Irabu was a very good Japanese pitcher...far better than Igawa, and when he came to New York, he melted under pressure and turned into a bust.\n\nOther pitchers from Japan have had short term success, such as Hideo Nomo, and then when American hitters figured them out after two seasons, they were average, at best.\n\nThere are others like Jose Contreras, who were supposed to be a sure bet, and melted under pressure in New York.  He went to Chicago and improved quite a bit, but he is still far from the dominating pitcher that we were told he was before his debut with the Yankees.\n\nForeign pitchers who have had success in other countries are a major risk.  Both Boston and New York are taking a chance this year, and I don't believe either will pay off. \n\nWhat Americans seem to forget is that the competition in Japan or Cuba isn't at the level of MLB.  Sure, they have a few excellent players, such as Ichiro and Matsui, but it takes their very best hitters to come to the USA and make an impact, where American castoffs can go to Japan and become superstars, where they would be lucky to have a job at all in the MLB.  Examples include Orestes Destrada, Randy Bass and Tuffy Rhodes.  In fact, Randy Bass holds the Japanese record for batting average in a single season by hitting .389 in 1986.  In the USA, he was a pinch hitter for the Twins for six seasons who was average, at best.\n\nIf you're hoping for either of these pitchers to make a major impact, you're in for a disappointment.
452990
Minor league players are as good if not in some cases better than major league players. The problem is pressure. Many guys stay in the minors because everytime they are brought up, they freek out, can't handle it and do poorly. So when they are ready is the best answer. To be determined.