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Igniting the offense: a demanding job for leadoff hitters.(Warm Up Tosses)(Interview)(Cover Story)
PLAYERS WERE LIMBERING UP BEFORE AN INTER-LEAGUE MATCH BETWEEN THE Dodgers and White Sox earlier this season when an inquiring reporter sought the opinions of two experts on a subject closely related to winning ball games.
"What makes for an ideal leadoff hitter?" he asked Dodgers manager Jim Tracy and White Sox coach Tim Raines.
"Great speed, and ability to handle the bat well," began Raines.
"He should have a sharp eye at the plate, be a guy who draws walks, has a great on-base percentage, and is aggressive on the base paths."
"He should be a player who's not afraid to see a significant number of pitches, and to (be able) hit with two strikes on him," said Tracy. "Even if he makes out, when he comes back to the dugout he can pass on accumulated information about the pitches he's seen.
"If he reaches base and has speed, he helps the No. 2 hole hitter get pitches he likes to hit, usually fastballs."
Raines and Tracy agree the job of the leadoff hitter is a demanding one which, if carried out successfully, can spark a team's offense.
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Source: HighBeam Research, Igniting the offense: a demanding job for leadoff hitters.(Warm Up...