Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig wants to cut down on bat flips

What happened to the bat flip?

When Yasiel Puig homered Monday night in the Dodgers’ 10-inning, 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners, he didn’t so much flip his bat as he did toss it aside.

This was by design.

Puig said recently he intends to cut down on his trademark bat flips, if only because he is sensitive to how they might be perceived.

Though acknowledging that some fans are entertained by his theatrics, Puig said in Spanish, “I want to show American baseball that I’m not disrespecting the game.”

Puig maintained that his bat flips aren’t intended to disrespect the game or his opponents.

“I don’t do that because I lack respect,” he said. “I do that because of the emotions that I have.”

That being the case, Puig said he might flip his bat if he comes through in an emotionally charged situation.

“If it’s a big home run or if I’m frustrated because I couldn’t connect in my previous at-bats or if I drive in important runs for my team, I might do it,” he said. “You never know. I can’t say I won’t do it.”