AZ Snake Pit - Game #8, 4/9: Diamondbacks 5, Reds 6An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2021-04-10T17:00:00-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/221400522021-04-10T17:00:00-04:002021-04-10T17:00:00-04:00Chase Field COVID Home Opener
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<p>I’m a mixture of feelings and emotions. Did I make a mistake in attending? No, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a mistake in not being properly prepared.</p> <p id="VD5DvY">The world has been a challenging place to navigate for the past year. A global pandemic, the first that many of us have ever experienced, has led to confusion, anger, heartbreak, depression, unemployment, lost time, and most importantly, lost loved ones. We’ve all been challenged in our own ways, and because of the struggles of the past year I jumped at the opportunity to have a glimmer of normalcy. </p>
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<p id="SgFS2L">When I <em>thought </em>that the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> would only be allowing 25% capacity to begin the season, I did not hesitate to invite my mom to the Home Opener when the email flashed across my screen for tickets. I’ve been able to remain in contact with her through much of the past year, the only exception was during her own fight against COVID around the holidays. I justified our attendance by knowing that 25% capacity would feel very similar to a Wednesday matinee game, when I attend most frequently in usual circumstances. </p>
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<p id="dHdGNy">Alas, I was able to grab tickets during the<em> initial </em>release with the expectation I would be part of a relatively small crowd. Having both of us already been 50% vaccinated over two weeks ago, and my mom with the antibodies to add to it, I felt it was a safe risk. I had the experience of Spring Training with the Brute Squad earlier which made me feel comfortable as well.</p>
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<p id="LwNnKK">I’ve said numerous times in the past that the worst days at the ballpark are better than the best days outside of that. I still hold that to be true despite the fiasco that was Chase Field last night. Much of that has to do with how my outlook on life has evolved over the past year. I was fortunate enough to have not lost my mom to COVID, so I just wanted to cherish the experience of being at yet another Home Opener with her. That’s especially true considering the future of next season hangs in the balance of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the MLBPA and MLB. Who knows when we would have this opportunity again? Life is fragile, so we took the calculated risk to create a memorable experience.</p>
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<p id="T4038i">And then Ken Kendrick and/or Derrick Hall decided that 25% capacity was not enough making a last moment decision to allow 20,000 fans at the Home Opener. I think Diamondhacks sums it up best:</p>
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<p id="N5dinT">I want to add to his comment in that, at least in my circumstance, they sold tickets with the expectation that there would be half as many in attendance as there were last night. Sure, I have nobody to blame but myself for not carefully considering another risk analysis when the additional capacity was added. I could have just as easily bowed out then and there, sold my tickets on the secondary market, and enjoyed the game with beers and barbecue at my mom’s house. Regardless, I know there were many who probably felt much more comfortable with 25% capacity as opposed to closer to 45% and decided to purchase tickets for that reason. They may not have agreed to get tickets if they knew 20,000 people would be there. Who knows?</p>
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<p id="KsiX5X">What struck my mom and I almost immediately was how different the experience was, how much everything has changed in such little time. She contrasted the experience with her attendance at the 2001 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>. That was the first major sporting event following the attacks of September 11th, 2001, and nobody knew what to expect. Just like armed military personnel guarding the stadium was foreign then, so were masks and social distancing this time around. We entered, as we almost always do, through the right field gate close to the Jefferson Street garage. That’s a calculated move on my part because it is mandatory that I get food before the game starts at Portillos. But... Portillos was gone. I guess I shouldn’t have been as surprised as I was seeing that. Friday’s Front Row and Game 7 were also no longer, with nothing standing in to replace. Just empty buildings and concession stands. It is that nagging reminder that there is still a long road of recovery ahead of us.</p>
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<p id="Qyaz96">We avoided much of the concession stands disaster because we got there right when the gates opened. We’re seasoned pros at this. I knew almost immediately there would be issues that evening. The first hint was that only half of the concession stands were open. Having lived through Pandemic 101 I quickly realized the Arizona Diamondbacks made a critical mistake. They would be funneling large crowds to a limited number of concessions stands and long lines would ensue. Exactly what you don’t want during this pandemic right now.</p>
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<p id="jybG1r">Which brings me to the next spot on comment from ISH:</p>
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<p id="RQiDqd">I’ve had the pleasure of attending multiple games with him in the past, and somehow we always manage to land on this topic of conversation. It is painfully obvious, even to people who have no professional experience in food and beverage, that Levy’s will <em>never</em> be able to get it right. Pandemic or not, they have never been successful at providing a smooth experience at Chase Field.</p>
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<p id="7uvOLI">We opted to get the beer cheese bratwurst because we aren’t opposed to trying the new items every year. It was... not good. I’ve mentioned before that I take great pride in my own beer brats, so I try not to be too critical when trying one from some place different. It was not beer cheese. It was nacho cheese. With entirely too much spicy mustard and a stale pretzel bun. On top of that, it was obvious that the poor cashier had not one ounce of training on the point of sale machine before we had walked up. That’s not at all her fault, but a failure on Levy’s to provide no training before game one. We were the first and only people in her line, and it took well over 5 minutes to check out.</p>
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<p id="bZQxHx">Having not been satisfied, my mom wanted to try the loaded tater tots before we made it to our seats with first pitch still an hour away. The concession stand problems continued. By the time we walked from right field over to section 139 for the loaded tater tots, the line was already growing at that concession stand. But there was a bigger problem, nobody was being served, and it appeared that managers were pacing frantically on their cell phones. That’s because they were trying to troubleshoot the P.O.S. (point of sale) which was not working at their location. One would quickly realize that “creating the best fan experience in baseball” was all lip service. It was obvious that no preparation, training, planning, or trial runs had actually taken place.</p>
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<p id="iAj5t0">I didn’t realize how much I had missed people watching. I don’t go out of my way to socialize, and naturally do better around those who are more forward with their interactions, like the Brute Squad for example. However, if I was left to myself with nobody initiating conversation I am a natural observer of human behavior. I achieve social interaction in a different way, and I gained that last night having missed it for much of the past year. Yes, the loud drunk people were back. Yes, the ushers failed to get those drunk people to wear their masks. Yes, people were removing zip ties from the chairs to sit where they wanted to. </p>
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<p id="ZT8Vyo">For all the mishaps that took place on the concourse, it didn’t entirely matter once we got to our seats. What I want to remind everyone of in writing this is that ultimately the experience is going to be what you, the individual, makes of it. Because I will always be able to say that I experienced yet another Home Opener with my mom, that is what I will reflect on 10, 15, 20 years down the road should I be so fortunate. I will probably remain paranoid that I may have made a mistake until two weeks from that second vaccine shot early next week. I’ll chuckle very briefly at how much of a disaster the concessions were, and that there were too many people before I move on to smiling about the memory created. </p>
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<p id="0RnCmJ">It helps that the game got far more exciting towards the later innings. The players were undoubtedly fired up having the fans back in the stands. David Peralta probably would have hugged the crowd in left field if he could have. When Eduardo Escobar hit his two run home run to tie the game, I could feel his energy and excitement all the way up near the roof where we were. They’ve missed that energy from the crowd and sure seem glad to have it back.</p>
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<p id="h0iElT">So yeah. The Arizona Diamondbacks messed up big time last night. They need to take the criticism seriously as it is warranted. But I’m still very grateful to have had the opportunity to be there with my mom last night. Many people cannot say the same, and that is not lost on me.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/4/10/22377245/chase-field-covid-home-opener-concessions-disasterKeegan Thompson2021-04-10T01:59:00-04:002021-04-10T01:59:00-04:00Diamondbacks 5, Reds 6: Chair today...
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<p>Very much a game of two halves...</p> <p id="7TauZq">Through six innings, this looked like another dismal D-backs defeat. They were 5-0 down, and had been held to just one hit. They looked flat in all aspects of the game, and were lucky to only be down by five. But the offense woke up over the final three frames, staging another sterling comeback to force extra innings. This time, however, there was to be no happy ending: the Reds scored their bequeathed runner on second, while the D-backs could not, dropping their season record to 2-6. </p>
<p id="rH5p9V">I turned the game on, just in time to see the ball arcing towards the pool area, on Taylor Widener's first pitch of the night. It seemed to hit the top of the fence, but bounced back into play. The batter stopped at second, but on replay (below), it certainly looked like it had ricochet off the back of a chair beyond the fence. However, the review umps did not agree, and it was indeed called as a double. They say you'll always see something you've never seen before at a baseball game. This would be tonight's offering. The chair was subsequently signed to a minor-league contract, and assigned to the alternate site.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reds</a> robbed of a home run because it hits a chair?? <a href="https://twitter.com/CincyProblems?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CincyProblems</a> <a href="https://t.co/iHd7vZKSRt">pic.twitter.com/iHd7vZKSRt</a></p>— Joey Votto Stan Account (@EvilJoeyVotto) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvilJoeyVotto/status/1380700871542116353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="w5G1XL">Widener was able to work out of that jam, and was certainly more efficient than his opposite number. Through four innings, he had thrown 56 pitches, while Tyler Mahle was up over ninety, after a 32-pitch first, and had to be lifted from the game. There had been some good, patient at-bats by Arizona hitters, drawing four walks to that point. But no victories are awarded for efficiency or plate discipline. For the second day in a row, St. Penelope was forced to begin stretching languidly in the bullpen. Because the Diamondbacks had no hits through four innings, and hadn't come particularly close. </p>
<p id="BhzYLj">This couldn't be said for the Reds, who were making a lot of hard contact off Widener. To this point, the end of the fourth frame, the visitors had put six balls in play over 98 mph. The D-backs' hardest hit ball? A 93.8 mph pop-up by Kole Calhoun. In the top of the third, a Reds' double at 99 mph off the bat was followed by a 101 mph RBI single that gave Cincinnati the lead. Then, in the fourth, Tyler Naquin really got into one (below). That one left the bat at 111.3 mph and went 454 feet, well over the back of the pool to make it 2-0 for the Reds.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Question: Who currently leads the league in home runs? <br><br>Answer: Tyler Naquin <a href="https://t.co/bMX1htC8RV">pic.twitter.com/bMX1htC8RV</a></p>— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1380717999515123716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="Jlj6Ud">Two more runs were conceded in the fifth, though Widener was unlucky. There were some dubious calls. Two of the three singles which loaded the bases were not of the hard-hit variety. And he then got a groundball which could have ended the inning. But it instead clanked off the glove of Eduardo Escobar, for a run-scoring error. A sacrifice fly made it 4-0, and the way the Diamondbacks were hitting, it seemed like 40. However, it was clearly a case of "anyone but Mahle". The first batter up after he left the game, Carson Kelly, ended the no-hit bid, with a screamer to third that Mike Moustakas couldn't handle. Arizona weren't going to steal any of Texas's limelight tonight. </p>
<p id="wFWkv5">Widener was replaced by Caleb Smith, who demonstrated why he wasn't good enough even for a Diamondbacks rotation missing Zac Gallen. He allowed a run on a hit and two walks in the sixth. One of the free passes was to a Cincinnati reliever. He did put up a zero in the seventh, despite a double, and plunking poor Moustakas, who must be reconsidering retiring to Arizona. The D-backs finally got on the board in the seventh. Escobar doubled to lead off the inning, and came around to score on a couple of productive outs, making the score 5-1.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">KOLE IS BACK!!! <a href="https://t.co/eVN9lSankg">pic.twitter.com/eVN9lSankg</a></p>— Bally Sports Arizona (@BallySportSAZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportSAZ/status/1380738699449753604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="AWHUAy">You wondered if it would be no more than a token gesture. Yet it seemed to waken the dormant Arizona bats. Pavin Smith and Tim Locastro singled, and Kole Calhoun brought them both home with a double to right (above). Christian Walker, representing the tying run, worked a walk. Torey Lovullo then pinch-hit for David Peralta against a lefty with Wyatt Mathisen. But he lined the first pitch he saw right to Moustakas at the hot corner - at 105.6 mph, it was the hardest-hit ball of the night by a Diamondback, so you couldn't ask for much more.</p>
<p id="zFUmYO">Anthony Swarzak was next out of the bullpen. I hadn't seen him before, and his first outing - three runs in an inning - didn't inspire confidence. But he worked a 1-2-3 eighth and looked to have a particularly sharp slider. Escobar was then able to atone for his earlier gaffe, with a two-run shot (below), his second of the year, coming after a walk to Asdrubal Cabrera. [Last year, it took Escobar 21 games to hit his second home-run. This year, just seven] Having also come back from five runs down in the season opener against the Padres, only to fall short, would this unexpected resurrection prove any more successful for the Diamondbacks?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> ️ Proud of you <a href="https://twitter.com/escobardelapica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@escobardelapica</a>!! <a href="https://t.co/96EFilUZSY">pic.twitter.com/96EFilUZSY</a></p>— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/1380743984033632260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="rlRFMy">Stefan Crichton worked the top of the ninth, and worked around a leadoff single with the help of a double play. In the bottom half, Walker drew a two-out walk, and Lovullo sent up pinch-hitter... Madison Bumgarner. Yes, you read that right. It was not his first... er, rodeo, having gone 4-for-11 with three walks previously. He had a couple of good takes, but then popped up, sending the game to extra innings - courtesy, in no small part, of that first inning chair. Would it be as much FUN as the opener of the series in Colorado? Should I really be ending consecutive paragraphs with a question?</p>
<p id="ydDQnh">Alex Young took over, with the requisite man on second. A groundout advanced the runner and a strikeout gave the hope of keeping Cincinnati off the board. But Young couldn't get the third out, a single scoring that placed runner to put the Reds 6-5 up. In Arizona’s half, Cabrera couldn't move the man off second, popping up. Escobar flew out to center, but again, the runner couldn't advance. That brought up Josh ".074" Rojas, who managed to draw a walk, bringing Kelly to the plate. A passed ball advanced both runners, so the Reds walked Kelly to pitch to the left-handed Smith. He grounded out, and the D-backs had lost their home opener. </p>
<p id="1uAL1W">If the misery of an extra innings defeat wasn't enough, the extra inning might have allowed a few more people to get fed. For it appears the contactless concessions and phone ordering was an unmitigated disaster. Let me present a selection of tweets from aggrieved fans.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is the worst experience I’ve had at any sporting event ever</p>— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldyHappens/status/1380732237516259329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dbacks</a> can someone explain how this is Express pickup? I’ve been waiting over 30 minutes and still have not received a pickup text. 2 hot dogs and 2 drinks takes this long? I came to watch a game not stand in a line. <a href="https://t.co/VEOS5cgU8Y">pic.twitter.com/VEOS5cgU8Y</a></p>— Tom Dorantes (@AZTommy335) <a href="https://twitter.com/AZTommy335/status/1380706925004779520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Three mobile orders placed through the ballpark app over an hour ago, all charged, got confirmation text, still no food, orders keep getting canceled. Guest Relations is no help. I've maybe seen 1 inning of the game so far. Upper level 3b side.</p>— Jeff (@eyedocjeff) <a href="https://twitter.com/eyedocjeff/status/1380727781856735235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The shortest game in <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dbacks</a> history was 1:52 on 5/31/2008. My order for 2 beer cheese brats is now at 2:05.</p>— Jeff Summers (@azjazzyj) <a href="https://twitter.com/azjazzyj/status/1380737016074133506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="O7alwK">It was also very obvious from the TV that there was basically no mask enforcement. You just had to look at the fans behind home plate, who were clearly not "actively eating or drinking". Yeah, I think I'll be pushing back any plans to visit the ballpark. And probably, bringing a picnic. </p>
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<div id="nKmMZo"><p style="text-align:center"><a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2021-04-09&team=Diamondbacks&dh=0&season=2021">Click for details</a> at Fangraphs.com
<br><b>Lair of the White Worm: Eduardo Escobar, +29.5%</b>
<br>Snakes on a Plane: Crichton, +13.7; Young, +11.5%; Walker, +11.1%
<br><b><i>Piranhaconda: Pavin Smith, -28.9%</i></b><i>
<br>Lake Placid vs. Anaconda: Bumgarner, -23.5%; Cabrera, -17.4%; Widener, -16.4%; Locastro, -11.9%; </i></p></div>
<p id="MpTEkS">In the Gameday Thread were: AzDbackfanInDc, AzRattler, Diamondhacks, GuruB, Jack Sommers, Jim McLennan, Justin27, Makakilo, Michael McDermott, MikeMono, MrMrrbi, NikT77, Oldenschoole, Schilling2001, Smurf1000, Snake_Bitten, edbigghead, gzimmerm, kilnborn and redsedona. Comment of the night to MrMrrb, to whom we send our best wishes:</p>
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<p id="6ObR2p">It’s the same two teams tomorrow, with Riley Smith making his first start in the majors. Hopefully it will go as well as Widener’s did last weekend.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/4/10/22376736/diamondbacks-reds-recapJim McLennan2021-04-09T21:30:00-04:002021-04-09T21:30:00-04:00Gameday Thread, #8: 4/9 vs. Reds
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<p>On this day in 1997, Anaconda was #1 at the North American box-office. How appropriate...</p> <blockquote><p id="2qrsIA">They strike, wrap around you. Hold you tighter than your true love. And you get the privilege, of hearing your bones break before the power of embrace causes your veins to explode. </p></blockquote>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/4/9/22376616/gameday-thread-8-4-9-vs-redsJim McLennan2021-04-09T20:30:00-04:002021-04-09T20:30:00-04:00D-backs Preview #8: 4/9 vs. Reds
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<p>Home is where the heart is?</p> <h4 id="KGwlte">Line-ups + roster move</h4>
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<p id="GXEWyo">Yes, you read that correctly. Back on the roster, and right back into the line-up, is outfielder Kole Calhoun. He returns five weeks after having knee surgery to fix a tear in his knee (a right medial meniscus, for those medical nerds out there). He should help counter the absence of Ketel Marte in the Arizona offense, especially with the platoon advantage against the Reds’ starter today. To make way, the team optioned infielder Andrew Young back to the alternate training site. Considering he was just called up from there the other day, to take Marte’s spot, and didn’t get into a game, you can be forgiven for not having noticed. It’s as if he were never here...</p>
<h4 id="iHjakj">Torey Lovullo notes</h4>
<p id="DLvUfA"><strong>On playing in front of home fans for first time since 2019: </strong><em>“It’s going to be a big party when we see one another again. ....We expect them to be loud and into it, it will give us a ton of energy... We know that they’ve been patiently waiting for this day. We’re connected to them. I think everybody in this entire organization did a great job of finding ways to connect us to this community and we want to go out there and make them proud. We are AZ proud. </em></p>
<p id="0TXxSf"><strong>Kole Calhoun activation: </strong><em>The target date was today. He worked his butt off to make today happen, and he told us he was ready and the medical team signed off on it. </em></p>
<p id="ZiSow5"><strong>Nick Ahmed </strong>should be right behind Kole. He’s very close. He has been batting, fielding and running the bases. </p>
<p id="uSLSXq"><strong>Riley Smith</strong> has been named the starter for Saturday’s game “We felt like that there was a good <strong>attack plan </strong>that he follows [<em>judge officially rules that’s worth a shot</em>]. He has a fearless mentality by filling up the strike zone. We’re looking for somebody to pitch deep into games. We felt like his stuff and his mound presence was going to give us the best chance to go out and win a baseball game. He deserves this. Riley took his demotion in stride when we sent him out in spring training. He continued to go down there and work and you can see what happened. </p>
<p id="5Eyy3E"><strong>Team offensive approach</strong>: Mike Hazen told the beat writers he hasn’t really been seeing the team offensive approach improvement that they have talked a lot about during the offseason. Torey didn’t seem to fully agree with that. He feels the hitters are being more selective, but just haven’t been getting the results:<strong> </strong><em>There’s no perfect science to how to teach things, how to go about creating a perfect offense. We’re having daily discussions about not going out of the zone, limiting chase, and targeting our hot zones and squaring up balls in our hot zones and impacting the baseball in the air. </em></p>
<p id="dpyIFP"><em>The one part of it that leads me to believe that we are going in a very positive direction is our guys ARE waiting for the pitch in their zones, we’re just not impacting it. So if there’s 5 steps to doing things the right way per at bat, we’re doing several of them. We’re just not finishing it off. </em></p>
<p id="jrpObK">The discussion continued between Nick Piecoro and Torey, who had said he felt the chase rate was down, which is good, but whether or not there was some frustration and tendency to come out of that approach when not getting results </p>
<p id="7up3x9"><em>“I think that’s the toughest part about hitting and that’s where I think you’ve got to be stubborn and if you are doing enough right per at you’re going to start having results. You know it’s a couple of walks by Eduardo Escobar yesterday and then teeing off on a ball right in his hot zone for a home-run... I think that’s a perfect example of continuing to believe and continuing to stay on the right side of things without going backwards... We know guys ARE waiting for the pitch in their zone and that to me is the key”</em></p>
<p id="6A0jZR"><strong>[JACK’S THOUGHTS]. </strong> Is this the first public crack in the wall between Hazen and Lovullo? Torey was very diplomatic, but also emphasized he didn’t agree it was an approach problem, but rather just doing anything with the pitches they are swinging at. The D-Backs have a <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=foul%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.pitchout%7Chit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%7Chit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%5C.%5C.no%5C.%5C.out%7Chit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%5C.%5C.score%7Cpitchout%5C.%5C.hit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%5C.%5C.score%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.tip%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.pitchout%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.strike%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.strike%5C.%5C.blocked%7C&hfZ=&stadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=21%7C22%7C23%7C24%7C26%7C27%7C28%7C29%7C&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2021%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&opponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfInfield=&team=&position=&hfOutfield=&hfRO=&home_road=&hfFlag=&hfBBT=&metric_1=&hfInn=&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&group_by=team&sort_col=pitch_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&min_pas=0#results">3.9% chase rate, which is only the 23rd highest in MLB</a>. (Chase rate = swings at pitches in “chase zones”). In 2020 they had the<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=foul%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.pitchout%7Chit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%7Chit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%5C.%5C.no%5C.%5C.out%7Chit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%5C.%5C.score%7Cpitchout%5C.%5C.hit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%5C.%5C.score%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.tip%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.pitchout%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.strike%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.strike%5C.%5C.blocked%7C&hfZ=&stadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=21%7C22%7C23%7C24%7C26%7C27%7C28%7C29%7C&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&opponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfInfield=&team=&position=&hfOutfield=&hfRO=&home_road=&hfFlag=&hfBBT=&metric_1=&hfInn=&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&group_by=team&sort_col=pitch_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&min_pas=0#results"> 11th highest chase rate, 5.3%</a>. So that’s definitely an improvement so far, on a team wide basis. </p>
<h4 id="KM60xW">Torey Lovullo audio [<a href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22433696/1472_E_Elgin_Pl_104.mp3">or link</a>]</h4>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/4/9/22376412/d-backs-preview-8-4-9-vs-redsJim McLennanJack Sommers2021-04-09T19:00:00-04:002021-04-09T19:00:00-04:00What to expect at the Diamondbacks home-opener
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<img alt="82nd MLB All-Star Game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1T-OkUB0ip_AKXjOq5e06ay6zEw=/4x0:4252x2832/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69104470/118937668.0.jpg" />
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<p>It’ll be different from the last MLB game before fans at Chase, back in September 2019.</p> <h4 id="MoZRcC">Home opener festivities</h4>
<ul>
<li id="NwfHgL">A tribute to frontline workers including doctors, nurses and staff from Banner Heath, Dignity Health, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Steward Health Care and AMR as well as Chevrolet’s Community MVPs</li>
<li id="ackAVE">Ceremonial first pitch by Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara M. Christ</li>
<li id="tFXHXx">Moment of silence for the late D-backs Vice President of Player Development Mike Bell</li>
<li id="WGAz4i">National anthem sung by Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Steven Powell</li>
<li id="Hka7lh">Flyover by four F-16s from the 310<sup>th</sup> Fighter Squadron from Luke Air Force Base at conclusion of the anthem </li>
</ul>
<h4 id="U68laB">Concessions</h4>
<p id="tdObV9">I’m particularly curious to see how this will work. Reports from Petco suggest that their implementation of it was a bit of a disaster. Will the Diamondbacks have learned from the Padres’ mistakes? I’m fairly sure there will be people who did not get the message about cash no longer being accepted at the park. [Rant redacted about the hypocrisy of this], but even beyond that, it’s an entirely untried system at Chase. Even though the Opening Day crowd will be less than half the size of normal, it’s going to pose a challenge.</p>
<p id="sHdGv0">As usual, there are some new concessions and food items, though perhaps nothing on the monumentally insane scale of previous years. Some of them do sound quite good though; the Ultimate Bacon Pub Burger may stray across my palate, should I get to Chase this year. Here are the details of that, and the other new arrivals. </p>
<ul>
<li id="BsjSVr">Gadzooks (located at Sections 116 and 314)</li>
<li id="pIEf9L">Poblano Cheesesteak (Shaved Philly Ribeye, American Cheese, fire roasted poblano chile, barbecue aioli, battered onion straws) </li>
<li id="20PRTc">Beer Cheese Bratwurst (Beer bratwurst, pub beer cheese, griddled onion, brown mustard, pretzel roll)</li>
<li id="zyHF0Q">505 Green Chile, Chicken Bacon and Ranch Tots (Grilled chicken, tots, nacho cheese, bacon, 505 green chile)</li>
<li id="v47Pj3">Ultimate Bacon Pub Burger (Chuck patty, pub beer cheese, bacon, battered onion, barbecue sauce, pickles, potato roll)</li>
<li id="iLqOhw">Danzeisen Dairy Chocolate Mint Chip Stack Shake</li>
<li id="RGTx41">Fry’s Grab n’ Go – Unique stands throughout the main concourse stocked with small bites, drinks and pre-packaged goods available to purchase quickly</li>
<li id="wthIIR"> The Still at Cutwater – Award-winning distillery Cutwater Spirits will have an assortment of ready-to-enjoy canned cocktails, including limited-edition cans of its popular classic Vodka Mule featuring D-backs marks</li>
<li id="lIg1VM">A 25% discount off purchases at Taste of Chase for those using a Chase credit or debit card, and 15% off at the Chase Field Team Shop for Chase debit card users. </li>
</ul>
<h4 id="A24BC8">Policy changes</h4>
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<p id="b5DImD">The biggest change is going to be the new clear bag policy, which was supposed to have gone into effect for the 2020 season, before fans were removed from that equation. This is another area that is going to catch people out early on. If you show up with a non-approved bag, you can either return to your vehicle or put it - for a small charge, naturally! - in one of the lockers at the park. “Users are able to access and pay for their Binbox locker through the Binbox app on their Smartphone (Android and iOS), offering a contact free solution. Once purchased, the locker is opened on demand by the user’s phone, no waiting in line.”</p>
<p id="4yfmSi"><strong>Approved bags:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="zNsItd">Clear Bags (Plastic, vinyl or PVC) with no obscured interior pockets cannot exceed 12” x 6” x 12” </li>
<li id="Y0tc7v">Plastic Storage Bag (Re-sealable, clear) -1 Gallon</li>
<li id="rajk0y">Small Clutch Bags/Wallets no larger than 6.5” x 4.5”</li>
<li id="Rp7pbK">All small clutch bags/wallets within a clear tote bag must fit the approved dimensions (6.5” x 4.5”)</li>
<li id="PF68TI">Seat cushions without pockets, zippers or concealable areas cannot exceed 18” wide</li>
<li id="YL0m3V">Clothing and blankets are permitted if carried loosely or in an approved clear bag</li>
</ul>
<p id="KXk9sc"><strong>Not approved bags:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="VRF8TA">Backpacks</li>
<li id="b8CZM6">Bags and wallets exceeding the size of a small clutch bag (6.5” W x 4.5” H)</li>
<li id="naeRN2">Non-approved seat cushions</li>
<li id="ovwE6o">Luggage of any kind, computer bags, camera bags, briefcases, fanny packs, cinch bags or any bag larger than the permissible size (6.5” W x 4.5” H)</li>
</ul>
<p id="2C7WvS">Also of note: a change in the times when the gates will open for this season, with a smaller window before first pitch. They now open one hour prior to first pitch for games on Monday through Thursday, and ninety minutes prior to first pitch for Friday, Saturday and Sunday games. There is no early entry for season ticket holders. To start the season, the Sandlot in the upper concourse will be closed, as will some premium areas including the BMW Homeplate Lounge, Sedona Club and Sonoran Room. The BMW Homeplate Lounge is actually being used as a players’ dining-room for now!</p>
<p id="5W2UnS">And, of course, there are <a href="https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/ballpark/safety">anti-COVID rules</a> in place, until revoked:</p>
<ul>
<li id="AtgL6M">You must wear a face mask at all times in all common areas at Chase Field (including, but not limited to, while in lines outside or inside of Chase Field, while walking on the plaza or on a concourse inside of Chase Field and while in restrooms). We welcome you to remove your face mask while actively eating or drinking while in your socially distanced seats.</li>
<li id="vMjAAi">You must sit only in your purchased seats in order to ensure social distancing. Do not move to other open seats around you.</li>
<li id="TvvSmH">Take advantage of the hand sanitizing stations and restrooms to frequently wash your hands.</li>
<li id="SJ0Ajx">Follow instructions at Chase Field and maintain social distancing from other fans.</li>
</ul>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/4/9/22376023/what-to-expect-at-the-diamondbacks-home-openerJim McLennan