Archives for March 2023

With Opening Day 2023 on the horizon, I find myself looking forward to the months ahead and  reflecting on why I love baseball.  With that in mind, I’ll dedicate this post to a review of the ten top reasons I love the national pastime – and also include links (at the end of this post) to posts on the topic of “Why I Love Baseball” from  guest writers ranging from Grammy nominee Leonard Eckhaus to 2013 MLB Draft sixth-round pick John Micheal Murphy to sportswriter and author Larry LaRue.

Let’s start with Baseball Roundtable’s ten Reasons to love the national pastime.

1.  Baseball comes along every spring,  accompanied by sunshine and optimism.

Baseball is the harbinger of better times.  It signifies the end of winter (not a small thing if you’re from Minnesota) and the coming of spring – a season of rebirth, new life and abundant optimism.   Each season, you start with a clean slate.   Last year’s successes can still be savored, but last year’s failures can be set aside (although rival fans may try to refresh your memory), replaced by hope and anticipation.   On Opening Day, in our hearts, we can all be in contention.

People ask me what I do in winter, when there’s no baseball. 

I’ll tell you what I do.  I stare out the window and wait for spring.

 Honus Wagner, Hall of Famer

 2.  The pace of the game invites contemplation.

Between innings, between batters or pitchers, and even between pitches, baseball leaves us time to contemplate what just occurred, speculate on what might happen next and even share those thoughts with nearby spectators.  Baseball is indeed a thinking person’s game. (Side note:  I am waiting to see what impact the new pitch clock rules will have on this aspect of the national pastime.) 

3.  Baseball is timeless and, ultimately, fair in the offering of opportunity.

The clock doesn’t run out.  There is no coin flip to determine who gets the ball first in sudden death overtime.  No matter what the score, your team gets its 27 outs and an equal opportunity to secure victory.  What could be more fair?   And then there is the prospect of “extra” innings, bonus baseball for FREE.

When I was young my heroes didn’t wear capes or cowboy hat. They wore stirrups and baseball caps. Many still do.

4.  Plays and players are distinct (in space and time).

Baseball, while a game of inches, is also a game of considerable space.   The players are not gathered along an offensive line or elbow-to-elbow under a basket. They are widely spaced, each with his own area of responsibility and each acting (as part of a continuing play) in their own time frame.  (On a 6-3 play, for example,  first baseman can’t catch the ball for the putout until after the shortstop throws it.)   This enable fans to follow, understand  and analyze each play (maybe not always accurately) in detail.   And, baseball’s distinct spacing and timing makes it possible to see the game even when you are not there.  A lot of people grinned at President Gerald Ford’s comment that he “watched a lot of baseball on the radio.”  In my view, he was spot on.  You can see baseball on the radio – you can create a “visual” of the game in your mind with minimal description.    That’s why on summer nights, in parks, backyards and garages across the country, you’ll find radios tuned to the national pastime.

 5. The scorecard.

Can there be anything more satisfying than keeping an accurate scorecard at the ball park?  It serves so many purposes.  The keeping of a scorecard ensures your attention to the happenings on the field.

Photo by mwlguide

Maintaining the score card also makes you, in a way understandable only to fellow fans, more a part of the game.   That magical combination of names, numbers and symbols also enables you to go back and check the progress of the game at any time.  “Oh, Johnson’s up next.  He’s walked and grounded out twice.”  It’s also a conversation starter, when the fan in the row behind you asks, “How many strikeouts does Ryan have today?”   And, it leaves you (if you choose to keep it) with a permanent record of the game, allowing you to replay it in your mind (or share it with others) at will.  Ultimately, a well-kept scorecard enhances the game experience and offers a true post-game sense of accomplishment.

6.  The long season.

Baseball, so many have pointed out, is a marathon rather than a sprint.  It’s a long season with ample opportunity to prove yourself and lots of chances to redeem yourself.  For fans, the long season also represents a test of your passion for the game.  Endurance is part of the nature of the true baseball fan.  And, and in the end, the rigors of a 162-game season prove your mettle and that of your team.   Not only that, but like a true friend … baseball is there for you every day.

 7.  Baseball invites, encourages, even demands, conversation.

Reason number two hinted at the importance of conversation, noting that the pace of the game offers time to contemplate the action (past and future) and share those thoughts with others.   I love that about the game, but I also love the fact that whenever baseball fans gather, their passion comes out in conversation – and they find plenty to talk about:

•  Statistics,  statistics, statistics.  Baseball and its fans will count anything.  Did you know that Yankee Jim Bouton’s hat flew off 37 times in his 2-1, complete-game victory over the Cardinals in game three of the 1964 World Series?  More seriously, statistics are part of a common language and shared passion that bring baseball fans together in spirited conversation.  As best-selling author Pat Conroy observed “Baseball fans love numbers.  They love to swirl them around in their mouths like Bordeaux wine.”  I agree, to the fan, statistics are intoxicating.

• Stories, stories, stories.  Baseball and its fans celebrate the game’s history.  And, I’m not talking just about statistics.  I’m talking about the stories that give this great game color, character and characters.  Ty Cobb sharpening his spikes on the dugout steps, Babe Ruth’s called shot, Louis Tiant’s wind-up, Willie Mays’ basket catch, Dock Ellis’s LSD-fueled no-hitter.

• Trivia, trivia, trivia.  This may fall close to the “stories, stories , stories” category, but fans cherish the trivia that surrounds our national pastime – whether that trivia is iconic or ironic.  For example, t’s ironic that the iconic Babe Ruth holds the best winning percentage against the Yankees of any pitcher with 15 or more decision against them (17-5, .773). And, it’s ironic that the more recent player to steal home twice in one game (Vic Power, August 14, 1958) did it in a season when he only stole a total of three bases).  Then there is the iconic performance of Ralph Kiner, who led the NL in home runs as a rookie in 1948 – and successfully defended that title in each of the next six seasons – the most consecutive home runs titles by any major leaguer ever.

Basically, I took a long time to say I love the fact that baseball fans will talk with passion about something that happened in today’s game, yesterday’s game, over time or even in a game that took place on May 30, 1894 (Bobby Lowe of the Boston Beaneaters records MLB’s first four-homer game).  And, as a bonus, all this conversation – all the statistics, stories and trivia – make the games, moments within the games and the characters of the game (heroes, goats and mere participants) as timeless as baseball itself.

 8.  The box score. 

Today’s box score – a thing of beauty.

BBRT editor’s  mother used to refer to an accordion as “an orchestra in a box.”  That’s how I view the daily box score – the symphony of a game recorded in a space one-column wide by four inches deep.   Some would say the box score reduces the game to statistics, I would say it elevates the game to history.  What do you want to know about the contest?   Who played where, when?  At bats, hits, stolen bases, strikeouts, errors, caught stealing, time, attendance, even the umpires’ names?   It’s all there and more – so much information, captured for baseball fans in a compact and orderly space.  I am, of course, dating myself here, but during baseball season, the morning newspaper, through its box scores, is a treasure trove of information for baseball fans.

 9. The irony of a team game made up of individual performances.

While baseball and baseball fans live for individual statistics and, while the spacing of the players drives individual accountability, the game is, ironically, deeply dependent on the concept of “team.”

Consider the offense.  Unlike other sports , where you can deliver victory by giving the ball or puck – time and time again (particularly as the clock runs down) –  to your best runner, skater, receiver or shooter, in baseball, your line-up determines who will be “on the spot” and at the plate when the game is on the line.  It may be your .230-hitting second basemen, rather than your .320-hitting outfielder.  Yet, even as the team depends on the hitter, he is totally alone in his individual battle with the pitcher.  And, achieving individual statistics that signify exceptional performance also demands a sense of team.  You don’t score 100 runs without a team mate to drive you in (although the statistic remains your measure of performance) …  and, you don’t drive in 100 runs if no one gets on base in front of you.   And, can you think of any other sport that keeps track of – and honors – the team-oriented “sacrifice.”

On defense, the story is the same.  A ground ball pitcher, for example, needs a good infield behind him to optimize his statistical presence in the “win” column.  And the six-four-three double play requires masterful teamwork as well as individual performance –  duly recorded in the record books as an assist for the shortstop, a putout and an assist for the second baseman and a put out for the first baseman.  Then there is the outfield assist – a perfect throw from a right fielder to nail a runner at third earns an assist – even if the third baseman drops the ball and earns an error.  Two individual results (one good / one bad) highlighted, but without the necessary team work – a good play on both ends – a negative outcome in terms of the game.

Ultimately, baseball is a game of individual accomplishments that must be connected by the thread of “team” to produce a positive outcome.

10. Baseball’s assault on the senses.  (Indoor ballparks fall a bit short here).

The sight of a blue sky and bright sun above the ballpark or a full moon over a black sky above a well-lit stadium.  The feel of the warm sun or a crisp evening breeze.  The scent of freshly mowed grass or steaming hot dogs.  The taste of cold beer and peanuts.  The sound of the crack of the bat, the cheers (or moans) of the crowd, the musical pitch of the vendors.  Baseball assaults all the senses ―  in  a good way.

The ballet of the double play … a beautiful thing.
Photo by roy.luck

Now, I could go on and on, there are lots more reasons to love this game: its combination of conformity (all infields are laid out the same) and individualism (outfield configurations not so much); its contributions to culture (literature and movies); its strategy (hit-and-run, run-and-hit, sacrifice bunts, infield / outfield positioning, pitching changes, etc.); triples; the 6-4-3 double play; knuckleballs; and more.  But to protect myself – and BBRT’s readers – I’ve limited myself to ten.   I probably could have saved a lot of time and words  had I just started with this so-perfect comment from sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, “The other sports are just sports.  Baseball is love.”  That says it all.

Bonus Reason to Love Baseball – Opening Day

In the words of Joe DiMaggio:

“You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you were a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen.”

Now. here are links to guest posts on “Why I Love Baseball.”

• For a post from author, poet and Grammy nominee Leonard Eckhaus (that includes an original poem) click here.
• For a post from John Micheal Murphy, Yankees’ sixth-round pick in the 2013 MLB draft, click here.
• For a post from Jason Love, author of “Slices of Americana – A Road Trip Through American Baseball History, click here.
• For a post from sportswriter and author Larry LaRue, click here.
• For a post from college football coach Alex Smith, click here.
• For a post from baseball blogger Bill Ivie (I70baseball.com), click here.
• For a post from dedicated autograph seeker Scott Perry, click here.
• For a post from lifelong baseball fan Tom Cuggino, click here.

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.  To see the full list, click here.

Baseball Roundtable is also on the Anytime Baseball Supply Top 66 Baseball Sites list.  For the full list, click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary. 

 The Baseball Roundtable polls are closed and the results of the reader survey on MLB rules changes for 2023 (and one possible future change) are in.  The winners – at least among the 118 respondents to the Roundtable fan poll – were  the Shift Ban and the Pitch Clock, while the changes respondents loved to hate were making the Ghost Runner in extra innings permanent and the Limit on Pick-off Attempts.

Note:  Baseball Roundtable will repeat survey at the All Star break – after fans have had a chance to see the new rules in action.

Notably, while there were a few, “leave the game totally alone” responses, most appeared to evaluate each rule change on its own merits.

Before we look at the 2023 Rules Survey results, here’s a snapshot from an early 2022 Baseball Roundtable survey on factors affecting readers’ decisions to attend an MLB game.  I’d note here that In-Game Downtime and Amount (lack) of On-Field Action both far outpaced Length of Game.

With that bit of background, Let’s look at the final results of the 2023 rules change survey.

—-Shift Ban—-

Two infielders must be on each side of second base and within the boundaries of the infield as a pitch is thrown.  Also, infielders may not switch sides during a given inning (you can’t move your best infielder to the opposite side of the second base bag for a specific hitter).  Side note:  A team may still choose to bring an outfielder into the infield as a fifth infielder. Penalty:  A Ball is called.

Angels infield sift during 2015 Spring Training; Photo: Jon Gudorf Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

This rule  change saw  48.4 percent  of respondents Loving or Liking it and 39.2 percent  Hating or Disliking it.

 Love it … 15.3%

Like it … 33.1%

Hate it … 13.7%

Don’t Like it … 25.5%

Neutral/No Opinion … 2.5%

Note: In an early 2022 reader survey, 55.9% liked the prospect of a shift ban; 35.1% disliked it.  To view the full 2022 survey (which deals with a wider range of MLB rules), click here. 

Baseball Roundtable Take:  I like the restrictions (shifts seem way overused to me), but would have preferred allowing teams to use the shift a specific number of times per game (say three) – forcing managers to make a strategic decision on when to use a shift.  (The shift has long been a part of the game, just not to the extent we see it today).

—–Base Sizes—–

The size of bases is  increased from 15 x 15 inches to 18 x 18 inches.

Neutral/No Opinion was the leading answer here, with 35 percent of respondents in that category. Those Hating or Disliking the new base size did outnumber those loving or liking it by a 41.0 percent to 23.9 percent margin.

Love it … 9.4%

Like it … 14.5%

Hate it … 20.5%

Don’t Like It … 20.5%

Neutral/No Opinion … 35.o%

Baseball Roundtable Take:  If you consider this a safety issue, giving fielders and runners more space to operate in, I’m on board.  If the argument is that it will increase action on the base paths, my answer is “Yawn.” Baseball may be a game of inches, but I don’t think six fewer  inches between the outside edge of the bases is gong to make much difference.

—–Pitch Clock—–

In 2023, there will be 30-second time limit between each batter, 15-second pitch clock with bases empty (pitcher must deliver the ball within 15-seconds of receiving it), 20 seconds with runner(s) on base.  Also, batters must be in the batter’s box and ready by the time there are eight-seconds left on pitch clock.  Note: Here’s where it gets sticky for me.  With runners on base, the timer resets if the pitcher steps off the rubber or attempts a pickoff (these are  “disengagements), with a limit of two disengagements per plate appearance (more on that later). The timer is also reset  if a baserunner advances  during a plate appearance. In addition,  batters are allowed one time out during a plate appearance.  Penalties: Pitcher violation- called Ball; Batter violation – called Strike.

A  majority of respondents fell into the Love It-Like It cadres (56.8 percent to 38.9 percent in the Hate It/Don’t Like It groups).

Note: In the early 2022 Roundtable reader  survey,  55.5% of respondents liked the idea of a strictly  enforced pitch clock; 31.4% disliked it. Both the supporting and opposing numbers increased in the new survey, while there were fewer neutral responses.)

Baseball Roundtable Take:    The jury is still out for me on this one. I’m fine with a pitch clock with the bases empty, as well as with the one batter’s time out per plate appearance. I’m not sure about the limit on “disengagements”  with runners on base.  I tend to enjoy the pitcher-base runner “cat-and-mouse” game.  Also, the “disengagement” limits (more on this in a later question), at least in my mind, complicate the experience for the average fan trying to follow the game. So, I’m in a “wait-and-see” mode on that portion of this change.

–—-Limiting Pick-Off Attempts (disengagements) During a Plate Appearance—–

Pitchers will be allowed just two “disengagements” (pick-off attempts, fake pick-offs, stepping off the rubber, defensive time out) per plate appearance – with the disengagement count reset if a runner advances a base within the plate appearance. No penalty on a third pick-off  attempt if it produces an out. Penalty: If a pitcher steps off or attempts a pick-off a third time, it is treated as a Balk (runners advance) – unless the pick-off is successful (an out is recorded), then there is no penalty.

Interestingly, while a majority (56.8 percent) of respondents Loved or Liked the pitch clock, an ever larger majority (68.9 percent) hated or dislike the limiting of pick-off attempts (which , in part, prevent pitchers from circumventing the pitch clock with actual or feigned pick-off attempts).

Love It … 6.0%

Like It … 19.7%

Hate It … 49.2%

Don’t Like It … 23.1%

Neutral/No Opinion … 5.1%

Note: In the  2022 reader survey 72.5% disliked the idea of limiting pickoff attempts; 14.3 percent liked it.

Baseball Roundtable Take: Again, I like the pitch clock with no runners on base. I do not, however, support limiting pick-off attempts.  As noted earlier, I like the pitcher-base runner “cat and mouse” game – and consider pick-off plays to be on-field  “action.”  I do appreciate the third pick-off not being a violation if an out is recorded (which prevents runners from taking extraordinary leads after the allowed two pick-off attempts/disengagements).

Still, I’d feel better with just eliminating or restricting “fake” pick-offs (stepping off the rubber and “looking” the runner back).  My preference would be, if the pitcher disengages, he has to take the risk of making the throw. 

—–Extra-Inning Ghost Runner—–

The rule placing a runner at second base at the start of each extra inning is now permanent.  This is the rule change that respondents really loved to hate – with 75 percent responding they Hated or Did Not Like it (63.6 percent in the “Hate It” group).

Note; Compared to the 2022 survey, reader opposition, while still strong, was down from 82.4% to 75%, while support was up from 14.3% to 19.5%.

Baseball Roundtable Take:  Totally agree with the bulk of  survey respondents.  To me this rule change is a step too far. My stance is that  “earned” runners not “gift” runners should decide a ball game.  Yes, it will shorten extra-inning contests (I’m not convinced that’s a good thing). However, it also changes the basic structure and strategy of the game. 

—–Restrictions on Position Player Pitching—–  

Last season, position players could only be brought in to pitch in extra innings or if the player’s team was trailing by at least six runs. In 2023, the restrictions will be in extra innings or if the players’ team is trailing by at least eight runs (at any time) or ahead by at least ten runs in the ninth inning.

Well, 17.8 percent Love or Like this change, 53.4 percent Hated of Disliked it and 28.8 percent were in the Neutral/No Opinion group. .

Love It … 3.4%

Like It … 14.4%

Hate It … 27.1%

Don’t Like It … 26.3%

Neutral/No Opinion … 28.8%

Baseball Roundtable Take:  I was surprised  to see 30 percent with strong (Love It or Hate It ) opinions.  I did not expect strong opinions either way on this one.  This difference, really makes no difference to me.

—–LOOK TO THE FUTURE … Automated Strike Zone—–

Readers were asked about their opinions on the possible use of electronic devices to determine balls and strikes. Give a bit of an  edge to the umpires – even with their shortcomings – here. The Hate It and Dislike It groups had a 54.3 percent to 38.1 percent edge.

Love It … 12.7

Like It … 25.4

Hate It … 39.0

Don’t Like It … 15.3

Neutral/No Opinion …  7.6

Note: In the 2022 reader survey 54.1 % disliked the idea of an electronic strike zone, while 32.7% liked it.

Baseball Roundtable Take: Not a fan of this potential  change.  I do like to watch those pitchers with the skills to “expand” the strike zone at work. Still, if it comes to this, I can live with it. I do miss the days, however, when the philosophy was that – whether at the plate or on the basses” – the umpires “call” would even out.

————————————–

READER COMMENTS: 

Now, for a sampling of reader comments.

Automated Ball and Strike Calls

Regarding the automated strike zone, I don’t support a 100% computer-controlled system. However, I would support using it for “challenges” on balls and strikes, so long as it could be done with limitations on when or how many challenges can be used.  CHRIS (did not give a state)

_____

I like the balls and strike rules used in AAA last year. If I remember right, the batter, pitcher, catcher or either manager can ask for a very limited review of a pitch, then they show one of the computer generated views of where the pitch was. If the pitch is not reversed, the team that requested the review loses one of their appeals. EDDIE (California)

_____

LOVE the Robo Umps w/ balls & strikes. You simply can’t continue to track pitches with a computer, show the fans the real location in real time, and have umpires blow the call. Research shows 34,000 missed calls in a season. Each game averages approximately 300 pitches. That is 113 FULL games worth of missed balls and  strikes. Unacceptable. The hitters are the best in the world and can discern with expert precision. You can’t allow a bad ump to take that expertise away, while simultaneously showing the fans at home the truth. Since the chances of success vary so wildly between starting 1-0 or 0-1, we cannot allow bad umpiring to continue to cause this unnecessarily.  No Name Given, but noted permission  to use the comment.

Limit on Pick-Off Attempts

Instead of limiting pickoff attempts, I would ban leading off first base. Treat it like tagging up on a fly out. I’d also require mid-inning relievers to enter from the dugout, and no warm-up pitches.  My pitcher friend hates my reliever proposals! RICHARD (Minnesota)

Pitch Clock

I went to a minor league game last year. Went to the concession stand to pick up food and beverages……..missed about an inning and a half or so. Pitch clock was too fast.  RON, North Carolina

General

Certain things baseball needs to do to modernize the game as well as to cut the length of games and make the games more appealing.  However, some of these rules changes are just stupid and don’t address the real issues. DAN (no state given)

—–

I think that we have to allow ourselves to see how the game might improve for the greater good, despite my misgivings or questions about whether the changes are consistent with the spirit of the game.  STEVE (Michigan)

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.  To see the full list, click here.

Baseball Roundtable is also on the Anytime Baseball Supply Top 66 Baseball Sites list.  For the full list, click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

Follow Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  More baseball commentary; blog post notifications.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.