I started a game last September when we were well out of reach of the postseason and most guys were already bragging about their off-season plans. There weren’t cheers like when Nick Van Exel chanted in practice “1-2-3…Cancun”, but mentally most of us had already packed it in.

I was a starting pitcher for a while before they “recommended the switch”, so I’ve watched games from the dugout before. But just like their ‘recommendation’, it’s a lot different than what you would expect when you’re in The Show.

The view from the dugout is closer than it looks on the TV screen. It’s certainly different than the view I’m used to in the bullpen. And while I do go to the dugout after any relief appearance, it’s a different atmosphere in the late innings.

Everyone is tuned in or already tuned out, thinking about how they can personally make this game matter or what they’ll do tomorrow to avenge this defeat. But in the early innings, there’s still a sliver of optimism and hope associated with the fact that there are still a lot more innings to play.

When I’m in there after a relief inning, I’m checking the lineup to see who’s available to pinch hit for me. I’m watching Skip to see if he’s getting someone up to replace me. I’m chatting with Damon or BB about the next batters I may face.

Oh yeah, and I’m watching the game.

It’s different as a starter, especially in the early innings where the game plan prior to First Pitch is still in use. I can actually watch the game, which only leads to questions.

Like if teams are going to shift three and four infielders to one side of the field, why come batters aren’t taking advantage and putting grounders into the empty area?

I mean, I understand that whenever we shift, Damon or BB is usually setting up and calling pitches to induce the hitter to follow suit. But it is always troubling to think that it doesn’t take much for any hitter to make just enough contact with the ball and they’ve got a hit.

The counter-argument is that they’ve hit this way their entire career and it’s tough to change now; or that a batter would be giving up their power for a simple single. All of which is to say, instead of making an adjustment, hitters and their defenders are so stubborn they’d rather hit into a shift than take the single being offered.

Which is great for me when I’m on the mound, but frustrating watching it happen to the guys wearing our jersey.