ABL the perfect home for Liam Hendricks

Liam Hendricks became a part of history tonight, when he, Luke Hughes and Shane Lindsay became the first three Australians to play in the same Major League Baseball fixture.

With Hendricks starting for the Minnesota Twins, he lasted 7 inning allowing 4 hits, 3 earned runs, 4 strike outs and 3 walks, many will say (and fairly) that is it a spectacular debut.

With the Twins lacking run support all season and that being seen by all watching the ONE HD, it seems that Liam should have pitched a more attacking game.

Rarely did hit put the ball over the plate in the strike zone. His fastball and curveball both looked good and his changeup caused him a few problems.

None of the three runs that he gave up were as a result of terrible pitching for a prolonged period, he like most new pitchers made one small mistake that seemed hunt him.

His delivery style was efficient and he worked well from the stretch will ensuring that he and Rene Rivera remained on the same page.

So what does he need to do to make himself a regular at Target Field in 2012?

With the Australian Baseball League less than two months away, it is the spot for him to work out his kinks.

Hendricks (like the rest of the best pitchers who will front for the ABL) will be on a tight pitch count as requested by his parent organisation, so that he can avoid injury and wearing himself out.

For this reason he needs to focus on throwing strikes and making sure he is able to throw to a point of contact without negative results.

The following is a rundown of how Hendricks should pitch each ground at the ABL

Norwood Oval (Adelaide) – As long as he doesn’t keep the ball high he should have success – a low scoring ground.

Showgrounds (Brisbane) – The second best ground for a pitcher to have a low ERA. With the ground well protected from wind there are very few home runs given up, so with his velocity this could be the place for him to work on getting outs with the likes of the changeup.

Narrabundah Ballpark (Canberra) – The best ballpark in the league. Closest is size to something he’d find in the majors and with the wind blowing towards the plate he shouldn’t give up many runs. Curveball and Fastball should be able to get him a lot of outs

Showgrounds (Melbourne)- Small ball is the key here. The easiest park to give away runs, rarely a game went by without a home run.

Hendricks should use any time he has here to focus on hitting the bottom corners of the strike zone, which will either give him a high K count or a lot of ground ball outs.

Barbagallo Ballpark (Perth) – Hopeful the locals will be flocking to see one of the next big things in Australian baseball.

There is a potential for games to be blown open late, which won’t bother Hendricks as he’ll be done after four innings maximum.

This is probably the one place he can focus on working with men on the bags as Perth have one of the best outfields in the league, so multiple base hits shouldn’t be a problem.

Blacktown Olympic Stadium (Sydney) – If the Sox have a similar roster to last year the biggest thing he is going to get is pitching against players who are where he was this time last season.

The likes of Mitch Dening (AAA Pawtucket Red Sox – Boston Red Sox affiliate) will make him work for every strike and pitching in Sydney may be where the 22 year-old receives the most growth.