AboutGeorge W. Case III Expertise WW II era major league baseball history - questions about specific WWII era players, stadiums, life in the major leagues, teams, impact of major league baseball upon American society during WWII (FDR's "Green Light" letter to the then Commissioner of Baseball) and the relationship of President Roosevelt with Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith in an effort to keep baseball "alive" during the darkest days of WWII.
Experience Son of a former major league baseball player, George Case Jr. who played in the major leagues from 1937-1947.
I was the former Executive Director of SABR (Society for American Baseball Research)
Have produced a DVD taken from my father's 8MM COLOR "home movies" of life in the major leagues from a ballplayer's perspective - currently marketing this DVD privately and also in conjunction with www.baseballdirect.com
Publications SABR Bulletin - "Case's Corner" - newsletter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)
"Growing Up at Griffith Stadium" - article published courtesy of The Big Train (Walter Johnson Baseball League) - Bethesda Maryland
Education/Credentials BA - Rutgers University 1963
MA - Rider University 1979
Awards and Honors Former Executive Director of SABR
Consultant and speaker - City of Trenton NJ baseball exhibit - "When Trenton Baseball Roared Like Thunder" - 1994
Question IN DETERMINING THE PITCH COUNT, IS A HIT BALL COUNTED AS A BALL OR A STRIKE?
Answer I must be honest - I am not certain HOWEVER, I would assume that a hit ball is the same as a ball or strike - in other words it is a pitch - pitch counts have only become significant in the last few years - in the earlier days of baseball, pitch counts were not kept - it was more of pitching effectiveness - if a pitcher was effective he would stay in the game - if he was ineffective he would be relieved - in today's game pitch counts are used very often because professional teams now have starters, middle relievers and closers - usually a starting pitcher will pitch (6) innings (enough for a decision) a middle reliever will pitch (2) innings and the closer will come in in the (9th) inning - example - the NY Yankees with Mariano Rivera as their closer is an example
In the earlier days of baseball, starting pitchers were expected to pitch a full 9 inning game - in fact there were a few pitchers in the very early days of baseball, believe it or not, who pitched both ends of a doubleheader - Walter Johnson and Christy Mathewson were examples
George Case
I'm sorry if you believe I did not answer the question - pitch counts are what the terms says - pitch counts - pitch counts do not distinguish between balls and strikes or hits - so if a pitcher throws 100 pitches for example, could be 40 strikes, 20 balls, 10 foul balls, 10 hits, 10 ground outs, and 10 fly balls - his pitch count would be 100 - to answer your question then - a hit ball is the same as a ball or strike with regard to pitch counts - in one inning for example - first batter strikes out on (3) pitches, second batter walks on (4) pitches, third batter takes (2) strikes, (3) balls and then hits a single (1) (runners now on first and third), 4th batter fouls off the first pitch (1) and then hits a sacrifice fly (1) to center field, 5th batter takes (2) balls and then grounds out (1) to second base - total pitch count for the inning - (18)
