Gregory Pratt Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 The elevated pitch counts and stunted innings pitched totals coming from the White Sox rotation over the past four starts are very uncharacteristic of one of the most efficient starting fives in all of baseball. Javier Vazquez had the lowest pitch count of the quartet, with 110, but he only lasted 5 2/3 innings. Jose Contreras hit 120, Jon Garland reached a rotation-high of 124 and Mark Buehrle exited Saturday with 118 pitches, after becoming the first White Sox starter to work into the eighth since Contreras did so against the Cubs on May 21. Only two White Sox starters went over 120 pitches in all of 2005. When asked for a reason to describe the rise in pitch count, Buehrle pointed a finger at modern baseball technology. "I think it's called Quest Tec," Buehrle said. "You see finesse pitchers struggling around baseball without getting the corners. "I'm the most finesse guy on this team. I need my corners and those close calls. With that Quest Tec, it's no good." Quest Tec, a device designed to give baseball a more uniform strike zone by tracking each pitch , was not in place at U.S. Cellular Field in 2005 , but is this season. But White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper won't lay the blame for his rotation's recent funk completely on this particular tool. Apparently it's something for umpires to use to watch the corners? What is it, and how does it work, and is it used in-game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 Considering we have the best home record in baseball, and are on pace to be WAY better at home this year than last, I don't consider this to be much of a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 It's a system of cameras placed in select stadiums used to grade umpires. Curt Schilling could explain better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Pratt Posted June 12, 2006 Author Share Posted June 12, 2006 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 11, 2006 -> 10:41 PM) It's a system of cameras placed in select stadiums used to grade umpires. Curt Schilling could explain better. Hahaha, I read about that. But I guess it's not used in-game, then, but afterward to punish umpires? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jun 11, 2006 -> 10:44 PM) Hahaha, I read about that. But I guess it's not used in-game, then, but afterward to punish umpires? Yes, it is a tool for grading umpires. The argument is that umpires have tightened their strike zones in and out because of repercussions of the grading system used with Qeustech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BHAMBARONS Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 Just like what Rex said it is a grading system the system which I believe are located down the 1st and 3rd base lines and it generates a CD which gives the umps and the higher up's the results. MLB also gives 2 inches on the corners. The system is only used in like 10 of the parks and Curt Schilling took a bat to one here in Zona. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 Basically, what you have in Questec is an automated system that broadcasts every pitch to a guy up in a booth at the stadium. That guy watches the pitches on the screen, and records whether he thinks the pitch is a strike or a ball. That guy's numbers are compared with the actual balls & strike calls, and a %age of correct calls is calculated. Those numbers are then used to grade umpire performance and to choose umpires for the playoffs. Here's a BP interview with a Questec operator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phuck the Cubs Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 I read some umpire b****ing about it and telling Curt Schilling that there were a bunch of pitches he wanted to call strikes, but QuesTec wouldn't allow it. I still find it funny that he took a bat and smashed a camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Hurtin Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 I'm probably in the minority, but I like a defined strike zone. I can't stand when an announcer says a particular pitcher needs a certain pitch to be called a strike. To me, it's right in the rules of the game. To get a called strike, you need to throw it through the strike zone. I just want the umpires to get the call right, and to be consistant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 I'm not a fan, but I'm also not a fan of Buehrle or anyone else for that matter making excuses. Pretty soon they are going to tell me that it was ques tec that was hanging those sliders for Politte. QUOTE(Big Hurtin @ Jun 12, 2006 -> 08:33 PM) I'm probably in the minority, but I like a defined strike zone. I can't stand when an announcer says a particular pitcher needs a certain pitch to be called a strike. To me, it's right in the rules of the game. To get a called strike, you need to throw it through the strike zone. I just want the umpires to get the call right, and to be consistant If your around the zone and earn the respect of an ump, thats part of the game and you should get a little more forgiving of a zone. Just like if your all over the freaking place, you deserve to get freaking squeezed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev211 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Why did the white sox put it in there park? If only 10 parks have it then it isnt required right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleHose4Life35 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Remember when Greg Maddux pitched at the Cell and he wouldn't get a single call that he would usually get. If a pitcher has been in the league long enough and has earned the respect of Umpires he should get some of the close calls. I mean there are some instances where Thome will take a pitch that I swear is a strike and it will be called a ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock4Life Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 I am pretty sure the MLB decides where the system will be implemented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 QUOTE(Shamrock4Life @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 11:44 AM) I am pretty sure the MLB decides where the system will be implemented. I was under that impression as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mplssoxfan Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 The pitchers aren't the only ones who hate QuesTec. The umpires hate it too. It will probably be better in the long term if every park has it, since the umps will know they'll be dealing with it everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangar18 Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I read somewhere that parks that have Questec, are parks that Greg Maddux magically isnt that great in. Seems those pitches way outside arent called strikes anymore ....... any truth to that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 03:51 PM) I read somewhere that parks that have Questec, are parks that Greg Maddux magically isnt that great in. Seems those pitches way outside arent called strikes anymore ....... any truth to that? Well, let's look at his average over the past three eyars during the Questec era in a few parks that have it. In Shea Staudium he has a 3.00 era In Minute Maid Park he has a 3.44 era In Miller Park he has a 2.77 era http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/spli...tching3&three=1 So, I don't know where you read that...but its wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Pratt Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 04:48 PM) Well, let's look at his average over the past three eyars during the Questec era in a few parks that have it. In Shea Staudium he has a 3.00 era In Minute Maid Park he has a 3.44 era In Miller Park he has a 2.77 era http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/spli...tching3&three=1 So, I don't know where you read that...but its wrong. Haven't you heard? Maddux sucks -- he has for years now -- and he only stays alive because the umpires always give him the calls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 05:54 PM) Haven't you heard? Maddux sucks -- he has for years now -- and he only stays alive because the umpires always give him the calls. Maddux sucks because he's a Cub...Thats why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Pratt Posted June 15, 2006 Author Share Posted June 15, 2006 QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 07:08 PM) Maddux sucks because he's a Cub...Thats why. Is Red supposed to indicate half-seriousness? Because in that case, I agree wholeheartedly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 07:11 PM) Is Red supposed to indicate half-seriousness? Because in that case, I agree wholeheartedly! I'm color-blind...I have no idea which one is green. :banghead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Pratt Posted June 15, 2006 Author Share Posted June 15, 2006 QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 09:14 PM) I'm color-blind...I have no idea which one is green. :banghead That's humorous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangar18 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 04:48 PM) Well, let's look at his average over the past three eyars during the Questec era in a few parks that have it. In Shea Staudium he has a 3.00 era In Minute Maid Park he has a 3.44 era In Miller Park he has a 2.77 era http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/spli...tching3&three=1 So, I don't know where you read that...but its wrong. Thats interesting. Are those the only parks with Questec? Are there stats for this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan76 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Jun 15, 2006 -> 12:23 PM) Thats interesting. Are those the only parks with Questec? Are there stats for this year? It's no secret that Maddux got 6 inches off the plate for most of his career, and Questec isn't going to help matters. However, I look at a guy like Tom Glavine who is having a great year...and it makes you wonder how much Questec really does effect the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 QUOTE(SoxFan76 @ Jun 15, 2006 -> 01:06 PM) It's no secret that Maddux got 6 inches off the plate for most of his career, and Questec isn't going to help matters. However, I look at a guy like Tom Glavine who is having a great year...and it makes you wonder how much Questec really does effect the game. Hyperbole? If he were getting 6 inches off the corner he'd of thrown about 10 perfect games by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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