The stats' seem pretty clear on the impact of BBCOR this year, with the total home runs dropping from a total of 4129 reported in 2011 to just 2245 in 2012 (source: quikstats). That's a decline of 46%.
Still, the runs scored per team per game dropped only 3.5% (68,889 total runs scored in 2011 vs 66,421 scored in 2012).
It seems to me that players and coaches found a way to keep the offensive part of the game interesting without the long ball.
If anyone saw DCG's hitting clinic during the state tourney - specifically, how their hitters perfectly executed the art of working with the pitch and taking it to the opposite field....combined with the increased amount of small ball played in 2012 across the board by all teams - I'd have to argue that 2012 technique very nearly trumped 2011 technology.
That's got to be better for the game.
Chalk one up for John Henry.
Still, the runs scored per team per game dropped only 3.5% (68,889 total runs scored in 2011 vs 66,421 scored in 2012).
It seems to me that players and coaches found a way to keep the offensive part of the game interesting without the long ball.
If anyone saw DCG's hitting clinic during the state tourney - specifically, how their hitters perfectly executed the art of working with the pitch and taking it to the opposite field....combined with the increased amount of small ball played in 2012 across the board by all teams - I'd have to argue that 2012 technique very nearly trumped 2011 technology.
That's got to be better for the game.
Chalk one up for John Henry.