The "day off". Do players really need it?

[Mags FTW]

So Hardy got a "day off" today*. Is baseball really that physically demanding of a game that players need a day off? I know they do lots of other things besides the actual game such as BP, but come on...

A day off should get you a pass from BP and all of the other little things, but not the game itself. It's 3 hours fellas. You'll live.

*I stand corrected. He had the flu.

[humanrefutation]

So Hardy got a "day off" today. Is baseball really that physically demanding of a game that players need a day off? I know they do lots of other things besides the actual game such as BP, but come on...

A day off should get you a pass from BP and all of the other little things, but not the game itself. It's 3 hours fellas. You'll live.

It depends on the player. Some players like a day off from time to time to rest some sore legs/lingering injuries, maybe to regain focus during a slump. The manager benefits from being able to give a player some playing time, and that player benefits from being able to start. Some players can go 2,632 games and stay in rhythm. It just depends.

[livestrong4ever]

Of course players need a day off time from time.

These players aint robots. Baseball is a lot more physical game then people give it credit for.

[Mags FTW]

Of course players need a day off time from time.

What about the days that are already built into the schedule? There were 4 days without games in June.

[trwi7]

So Hardy got a "day off" today.

Hardy had the flu.

Overall I'm fine with players getting the day off every now and then but for God sakes Ned don't give 3 or 4 starters days off at the same time.

[skitch815]

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What about the days that are already built into the schedule? There were 4 days without games in June.

I havent checked the schedule, but I know many of those "off days" involve flying cross country. I know there are some days off during a home stand though so Im sure that those get figured into the equation when considering days off.

[Buck4Life]

Of course players need a day off time from time.

These players aint robots. Baseball is a lot more physical game then people give it credit for.

I wouldnt put physical and baseball in the same sentence. As much as I love baeball...it does get boring a lot. That why I usully only watch the last few innings Brewers games and other games (im also an indians fan). That why i suggest they take a day off from boringness...do you have any idea how boring it could get standing in left field waiting for a ball to come...

[MickeyDavis]

I'm not really sure about the effectiveness of this. Fielder has been struggling and somewhat frustrated. So is it better to take him out of the lineup for a day and he sits in the dugout, or is it better to just keep him out there playing, knowing he will start hitting again soon. To me a "day off" is being able to stay home and not even think about work. Fielder will still have to be at the park 3 hours before the game and go through batting and fielding practice and be ready to play if called upon.

As for Hardy, we had a meeting with him at the Westin in Chicago after their game Friday and a couple days later he gets a stomach virus...

[Mags FTW]

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I havent checked the schedule, but I know many of those "off days" involve flying cross country.

Poor bastards...

[livestrong4ever]

I'm not really sure about the effectiveness of this. Fielder has been struggling and somewhat frustrated. So is it better to take him out of the lineup for a day and he sits in the dugout, or is it better to just keep him out there playing, knowing he will start hitting again soon. To me a "day off" is being able to stay home and not even think about work. Fielder will still have to be at the park 3 hours before the game and go through batting and fielding practice and be ready to play if called upon.

As for Hardy, we had a meeting with him at the Westin in Chicago after their game Friday and a couple days later he gets a stomach virus...

Are you trying to say you gave it to him MD

[MickeyDavis]

I didn't get to participate so it wasn't me.

[Ryan5UW]

Hell, I know if I'd get a random day off from work every now and then I'd feel a lot better

[BuckFan25226]

There are all sorts of reasons to sit/rest a player. But it needs to be done over the course of an 162 games season.

1.) As mentioned, if someone is slumping. Managers will do it to clear the head, let them get day to rest the body and the mind. And yes, another method is let them work through it and not boil and sulk on the bench.

2.) Treatment of injuries, guys get all sorts of banged up during the season. Rest, treatment during a day is nice.

3.) Rest in general, if you have ever played baseball, it's a grind, like any sport. It's mentally and physically taxing. Every day of travel, double headers, no days off for a month + has to be draining on the body and mind, hence amphedimenes. I can't blame a player that still tries to use them even though they are illegal.

4.) The biggest reason to sit/rest players is your bench and your team continuity. You should always rest players to get your bench players time. Up in the big show, EVERYONE can play. You don't want guys sitting on the bench for weeks. A good manager gets everyone playing time on a consistent basis throughout the year. A good bench is huge in baseball. And a lot of times overlooked by people. This reason alone is a 2 fold, you get rest out of your starters, and playing time for your bench.


And whoever says this game is not physically taxing on your body doesn't know what they are talking about.

[livestrong4ever]

There are all sorts of reasons to sit/rest a player. But it needs to be done over the course of an 162 games season.

1.) As mentioned, if someone is slumping. Managers will do it to clear the head, let them get day to rest the body and the mind. And yes, another method is let them work through it and not boil and sulk on the bench.

2.) Treatment of injuries, guys get all sorts of banged up during the season. Rest, treatment during a day is nice.

3.) Rest in general, if you have ever played baseball, it's a grind, like any sport. It's mentally and physically taxing. Every day of travel, double headers, no days off for a month + has to be draining on the body and mind, hence amphedimenes. I can't blame a player that still tries to use them even though they are illegal.

4.) The biggest reason to sit/rest players is your bench and your team continuity. You should always rest players to get your bench players time. Up in the big show, EVERYONE can play. You don't want guys sitting on the bench for weeks. A good manager gets everyone playing time on a consistent basis throughout the year. A good bench is huge in baseball. And a lot of times overlooked by people. This reason alone is a 2 fold, you get rest out of your starters, and playing time for your bench.


And whoever says this game is not physically taxing on your body doesn't know what they are talking about.

Yeah baseball is pretty physical Buck4life have you played baseball before. .

Baseball was one sport that i actually played before my surgery and If you played it every day without a rest you are going to get tired. Especially for catchers. Baseball is also a big mental game sometimes you just need to clear your head.

[BuckFan25226]

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Yeah baseball is pretty physical Buck4life have you played baseball before. .

Baseball was one sport that i actually played before my surgery and If you played it every day without a rest you are going to get tired. Especially for catchers. Baseball is also a big mental game sometimes you just need to clear your head.

You have to realize Buck4life is like 16. No offense, buck4life.

[livestrong4ever]

Lol i am only 18 so I don't think it has much to do with age as much as it does with just experiencing playing baseball

[whatthe_buck!?]

Clearly a 23 year old 1st Baseman doesn't need any more than 1 or 2 games of rest (just for the sake of keeping him rested) in an entire season, let alone in a month. Cal Ripkin played more than 2,500 games without a day off, and he played a more physically demanding position defensively than first base.

I mean, maybe if we had a better back up 1st baseman Yost could get away with "resting" Prince one or twice a month, but we don't, so Ned shouldn't be doing it. Not to mention that the best way for a player to get out of a slump is to play through it (unless the player is nursing an injury).

[livestrong4ever]

Clearly a 23 year old 1st Baseman doesn't need any more than 1 or 2 games of rest (just for the sake of keeping him rested) in an entire season, let alone in a month. Cal Ripkin played more than 2,500 games without a day off, and he played a more physically demanding position defensively than first base.

I mean, maybe if we had a better back up 1st baseman Yost could get away with "resting" Prince one or twice a month, but we don't, so Ned shouldn't be doing it. Not to mention that the best way for a player to get out of a slump is to play through it (unless the player is nursing an injury).

You have to remember about running the bases. All the hit and runs. . Id rather have a slumping player on the bench to help it break it because he will eventually break out of it. And we do have a pretty good back up first basemen Graffino has been hitting a lot better as of late.

[BuckFan25226]

Lol i am only 18 so I don't think it has much to do with age as much as it does with just experiencing playing baseball

And you play baseball competitively, correct?

[livestrong4ever]

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And you play baseball competitively, correct?

Yes, freshmen year in highscool and some other leagues.