Eiland Proud That Yanks Are Pitching Inside

Via Peter Caldera – who, by the way, is rockin’ the pill this Spring with tons of great reports –

Probably sooner than later this year, Derek Jeter will enter baseball’s all-time top 20 in batters hit by pitches. That’s partly a product of his batting style and his nearly 10,000 career plate appearances.

Occasionally, one of those drillings requires a reciprocal turn. And the Yankees did a better job of protecting their hitters last season than in previous years.

But it all falls under the pitching principle of establishing the inside corner.

In 2009, “We led the league in hit batters, which is something I’m actually kind of proud of,” pitching coach Dave Eiland said. “Because that means we are pitching inside.

“Obviously we’re not trying to hit guys. But we’re trying to pitch in, and make hitters uncomfortable, and get outs in there as well.”

Given those constant reminders last season, Eiland’s staff reversed a three-year trend. For the first time since 2005, Yankees pitchers hit more batters (71) than opposing pitchers plunked Yankee hitters (54).

The Yankees’ staff also led the league in strikeouts.

“There’s a difference between going in for a strike and going in for a purpose,” said Joba Chamberlain, who led the AL with 12 hit batsmen.

“We’re 25 brothers, and we understand we have to stick up for each other. We have each others’ back, no matter what happens.

“The offense is going to take care of us, and vice versa.”

Hey, when you pitch half your games in the new Yankee Stadium, you better pound the ball inside to right-handed batters, for sure…or else they’re going to extend their arms and take that outside pitch to right for an easy homer. And, it probably helps to make the lefty-batters move their feet a bit, at times, to keep them honest too.

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