Good process does not lead to good result in crucial at bat for Ibanez

By Shannon Drayer

How often have we heard “see ball, hit ball” from hitters when asked what they were trying to do at the plate? We know there is more to it, especially when a hitter has less than two strikes on him. We know there should be, at least. It doesn’t always happen that way, but a good hitter goes to the plate with a plan and adjusts accordingly.

Saturday in Chicago was not one of Raul Ibanez’s best days at the plate. He started the game off right with a double, but came up twice later with the opportunity to drive in much needed runs and failed to produce. While the desired results were not there the thought and the process were, and after the game he talked us through his at-bat in the sixth inning against lefty Donnie Veal. Give this a listen if you are interested in the process, interested in why he did not swing at a ball he knew was a strike after being up 2-0. He had a good reason.

This post isn’t about why he wasn’t pinch-hit for or anything else you may have seen in that game. Just an interesting first-hand description of an at-bat that ended in a strikeout.