An interesting relief strategy (non-TCU related): Saw an innovative approach to relief pitching at D2 earlier this season. Situation: the 2nd baseman is apparently the "closer". Middle-reliever gets pulled, new second baseman enters the field while the 2nd baseman-closer gets a different glove and takes the mound. Throws his warmup pitches and retires the next two batters to end the 8th. Fast forward to the 9th: Former second baseman (now closer) takes the mound and gives up a lead-off walk. Coach comes to the mound and pulls his 1st baseman to the mound (a lefty) to face a left-handed batter. New first baseman enters. Closer moves back to 2nd base and the other second second baseman leaves (burned). The lefty gives up a single to the batter and with runners on first and second, the coach comes back out and puts the 2nd baseman-closer back on the mound while the first baseman returns to first base.
We were talking about how many warm-up pitches a kid gets when he's already been on the mound in the inning but it didn't really matter because the returning closer throws three warm up pitches and signals that he's ready to go. On the second pitch of the AB, he grabs his throwing elbow and walks off the mound. Coach and trainer come out and after a rather long consult which included him throwing to the first baseman, they decide to send him back to 2nd base and get another kid to the mound (who has unlimited time to warm up).
One of the strangest relief strategies that I've seen in a long time above select baseball. Anyone remember the Frogs putting Demel into the outfield so he was eligible to return to the mound?
