On Sunday the Washington Nationals sent Bryce Harper, their 19 year old phenom, to AAA Syracuse. This spring he was in the process of moving from right field to center to make the club full of talent in the outfield, but fell a little short. He just needs more professional experience before he is ready for the Major Leagues, and his demotion to the minors shouldn't have any negative impact on this sometimes overconfident young man. Starting the season in the minors will fine tune his great talents and help this already special ballplayer on his path to a level only few Major Leaguers reach in their careers. Harper has already been on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he was 16 years old, has converted from catcher to the outfield without any problem, has won numerous awards, and has been compared to one of his idols, Mickey Mantle. In fact Harper chose to wear number 34 because 3 plus 4 is 7 the same number Mantle wore when he played for the Yankees. All this and Harper is still only 19 with the confidence, work ethic, and raw talent to someday soon start to make a prominent impact in the Major Leagues. He is also smart enough not to let this little speed bump distract him, it will only make this very good ballplayer great when it is time and he gets the call to join the big team.
The comparisons being made between Bryce Harper and his idol Mickey Mantle goes beyond that of his talents on the field. There was obviously no way that Harper has ever seen Mantle play except in old baseball films, but as special a player that Harper will become Mickey Mantle was just as special in the 1950's and 1960's. Just like Harper, Mickey Mantle joined the New York Yankees in spring training when he was 19 years old. Mantle impressed manager Casey Stengel and was assigned to the Yankees as a right fielder because centerfield was already occupied by Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio. Mantle was said to be Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio rolled into one and was even assigned uniform number 6, (Ruth-3, Gehrig-4, DiMaggio-5, now Mantle 6). After Mantle went into a slump to start the season he was demoted to the Yankees top farm team in Kansas City. The pressure of playing in the big leagues and being compared to Hall of Fame talent proved to be too much for a 19 year old to handle, and he even considered quitting baseball. His father talked him out of it, telling him that if he wanted to quit he could come back to Oklahoma and work in the mines. Shortly after that "talk" with his father, Mantle broke out of his slump and the rest is history. The demotion almost ended a career before it had a chance to develop. If Mantle would have went back to Oklahoma the glorious history of baseball in the 1950's and 60's would not nearly be the same.
Harper is trying to make the transition from right field to center because right is already occupied by high priced talent, Jayson Werth. His talents have already been compared to Mickey Mantle and is arguably the best prospect since Ken Griffey Jr. Harper, however, has an advantage over Mantle because he will not be rushed into the Major Leagues. He will go through injuries and slumps throughout his career, but the pressure of playing in the big leagues, with the fans and media dissecting every move that he makes, will be more manageable after going through the maturing process at all levels in the minors. He will get more at bats against professional pitching and will eventually be an impact player at baseball's highest level. Baseball almost missed out on one of the best players ever, and the Nationals management should be given credit for taking special care with the development of their great prospect. Mickey Mantle proved that he was human, but also with his determination and courage proved everybody right when he made his impact on the game. Bryce Harper is a long way from being Mickey Mantle but the comparisons are too close to ignore. Harper is a "can't miss" Major Leaguer, and maybe someday he will prove everyone right by making his impact on the game just like Mantle did 60 years ago.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Irish Impact on Baseball in America
Everybody knows that the National Baseball Hall of Fame is located in Cooperstown, New York, but how many people know of the one located at Foley's NY Pub and Restaurant on West 33rd Street. This is the home of the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame as well as "The Bar That Banned Danny Boy". The Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame was created by baseball historian and owner of Foley's, Shaun Clancy in 2008 and honors the players, managers, executives, writers, and entertainers with Irish roots who have made an impact on the game of baseball. The inductees are honored in the hall with plaques and include such names as Red Foley, the famed baseball journalist and inspiration for the naming of Foley's pub, Connie Mack, Tug McGraw, Kevin Costner and many more. There are four criteria to be met prior to enshrinement in the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. First of all, is the impact the person has had on the game of baseball. Next, is the person's popularity on and off the field. Third, is the contributions that the person has had on society, and last of course is the person's ancestry and connections to the Irish community.
The following is a list of inductees to the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame since 2008:
2008: Sean Casey, Kevin Costner, John Flaherty, Pete Flynn, Connie Mack, Tug McGraw, Mark McGwire, Red Foley, Jeff Horrigan.
2009: Walter O'Malley, Steve Garvey, Paul O'Neill, Vin Scully, Jim Joyce, Ed Lucas.
2010: Tim McCarver, Brian Cashman, Bill James, Bob Murphy, Mike "King" Kelly.
2011: Nolan Ryan, Big Ed Walsh, John McGraw, Gene Monahan and Steve Donohue, Terry Cashman, Chuck Lennon.
The 2012 nominees include two former managers from South Amboy, New Jersey: Tom Kelly, and Jack McKeon. Also on the ballot is Peter O'Malley. O'Malley is the former owner of the Dodgers and is also responsible for donating $140,000 toward the building of a baseball facility in Clondalkin, West Dublin. Many other names are listed on the ballot, but it will be up to the past inductees and a panel of baseball experts to decide who will be the next group to be enshrined on July 27, 2012.
Irish Americans have always made outstanding contributions to the game of baseball. Even though Mark McGwire might never get into The National Baseball Hall of Fame he will always have a spot in the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. This St. Patrick's Day if you're in New York, The Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame is the place to gain respect for and learn more about the many contributions Irish Americans have made in shaping baseball's rich history.
The following is a list of inductees to the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame since 2008:
2008: Sean Casey, Kevin Costner, John Flaherty, Pete Flynn, Connie Mack, Tug McGraw, Mark McGwire, Red Foley, Jeff Horrigan.
2009: Walter O'Malley, Steve Garvey, Paul O'Neill, Vin Scully, Jim Joyce, Ed Lucas.
2010: Tim McCarver, Brian Cashman, Bill James, Bob Murphy, Mike "King" Kelly.
2011: Nolan Ryan, Big Ed Walsh, John McGraw, Gene Monahan and Steve Donohue, Terry Cashman, Chuck Lennon.
The 2012 nominees include two former managers from South Amboy, New Jersey: Tom Kelly, and Jack McKeon. Also on the ballot is Peter O'Malley. O'Malley is the former owner of the Dodgers and is also responsible for donating $140,000 toward the building of a baseball facility in Clondalkin, West Dublin. Many other names are listed on the ballot, but it will be up to the past inductees and a panel of baseball experts to decide who will be the next group to be enshrined on July 27, 2012.
Irish Americans have always made outstanding contributions to the game of baseball. Even though Mark McGwire might never get into The National Baseball Hall of Fame he will always have a spot in the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. This St. Patrick's Day if you're in New York, The Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame is the place to gain respect for and learn more about the many contributions Irish Americans have made in shaping baseball's rich history.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Let the Players Get Ready
Ty Cobb once said that he would only hit about .270 against modern day pitchers, but further commented "you have to remember, I'm over seventy now". The Phillies' Roy Halladay isn't 70 but he will turn 35 before opening day and the media is concerned about a few bad spring training outings. Halladay was removed from Wednesday's game in the third inning after giving up five runs on seven hits and his fastball topped out at 89 m.p.h. There is concern about his velocity and his lower than usual release point, indicating that he might be nursing an injury. It is still March and opening day still three weeks away. Isn't spring training the time to get into shape for the regular season? Halladay is a veteran and arguably the best pitcher of his generation, he knows what he needs to do to get ready for April. Spring training has no impact on how a team or player will play once the regular season starts, but for the players like Roy Halladay people expect to see him pitch like a two time Cy Young Award winner every time he steps on the mound. Once the season starts however, he is the type of pitcher who can throw a no-hitter at any time, just like in 2010 when he was perfect against the Marlins then followed that by no-hitting the Reds in the playoffs. He even admitted that as he gets older it takes him longer to get going in spring training, but nobody on the Phillies are concerned about him being ready for the regular season. With all of the video and scouting reports available why shouldn't a veteran pitcher try new things to throw the hitters off, and what better time than spring training to do it. Halladay was understandably upset when he was questioned about his health and even fired back at the media stating: "That's poor reporting at the extreme end of poor reporting, it couldn't be further from the truth." That type of comment isn't typical of Roy Halladay, but what do you expect from the 14 year pro, trying to get into shape for when the games matter. So instead of expecting the veteran right hander to be at the top of his game in March, just enjoy the Florida sun and watch Doc go to work in April. Who knows, he might surprise everyone with something new that he discovered while working out in spring training.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
A Matter of Pride: The Evolution of Baseball Uniforms
When fans enter a Major League stadium to take in "America's Pastime," one of the first things that they notice are the freshly laundered bright home white or visiting grey uniforms standing out in a never ending sea of emerald green grass, and perfectly manicured dirt. The front of the jerseys are emblazoned with the team name or city they represent, and the fans see this with a sense of pride of who to root for or against that day. The reverse side is the fans identification of and connection to their heroes-the names and numbers of the players that they fill the stands to see. Uniforms are as unique a piece of baseball history as are the players who wear them.
Uniforms have been in baseball since the mid-1800's and were first worn by the New York Knickerbockers. By 1882, the uniforms included different colored stockings so the fans could differentiate between clubs. The caps and shirts were designed with different patterns and color schemes, each representing the players' positions on the field. For example, the opposing pitchers on a given Sunday afternoon would wear matching light blue shirts and caps, even though they played for different teams. This was understandably confusing however, and only lasted one season. By the turn of the century, all Major League teams were wearing uniforms. They were made of wool and cotton, and must have been almost unbearable in the summer heat compared to the synthetic and more breathable fabrics of today. The home team wore white and the visiting team grey. There were no names, numbers, or designs until 1907 when pin striping was introduced. This was the start of a gradual process of trends that eventually led to modern baseball uniforms.
Numbers first appeared on the back of major league uniforms worn by the New York Yankees in 1929. Prior to that, many players were opposed to the idea because they said it made them feel like convicts. That did not stop the Yankees however, and the numbers represented the players' positions in the batting order (i.e., Babe Ruth wore number 3 and batted third in the Yankee line-up). The fans embraced this idea, and by 1932, all Major League uniforms included numbers. This idea also boosted teams' revenue from the sale of scorecards; fans in attendance could now match the players names to the numbers on their jerseys. Names on the back did not exist until 1960 when Chicago White Sox owner and baseball visionary Bill Veeck introduced the concept, and many teams quickly followed. Veeck felt it was unfair that fans watching the games on television could see the players' names on the screen, but the fans in attendance at the ballpark could not.
Color schemes, graphics, patches, and gimmicks have also been around since the early 1900's. Though they were not as flashy as the trends of the 1970's and 1980's, they were just as important in identifying the different clubs. Could you imagine Babe Ruth striding to home plate wearing the White Sox Bermuda shorts that were introduced (and phased out nearly as fast) in 1976? Fans could now better identify with their team's logo. Patches are still used to this day to commemorate special events. From the patriotic pride patches during World Wars I and II, to the initials of passing members of an organization, patches have been a part of Major League uniforms since 1907. They were first worn by the Chicago White Sox to brag about their World Championship in the 1906 series against the cross-town Cubs.
Big league uniforms have come a long way since the original baggy, wool ones, but the sense of pride and accomplishment players derive from wearing it remains the same. Fans flock to purchase their favorite team and player's jerseys and caps. It has become a huge source of revenue for ball clubs and has helped spread the popularity of "America's Pastime" to other parts of the world. Whether it's Bill Veeck's sometimes ridiculed Bermuda shorts idea, the Houston Astros' often criticized rainbow scheme or the traditional Yankee pinstripes, the basic concept has not changed. Uniforms are a simple way for fans to identify one team, and one player from another.
Uniforms have been in baseball since the mid-1800's and were first worn by the New York Knickerbockers. By 1882, the uniforms included different colored stockings so the fans could differentiate between clubs. The caps and shirts were designed with different patterns and color schemes, each representing the players' positions on the field. For example, the opposing pitchers on a given Sunday afternoon would wear matching light blue shirts and caps, even though they played for different teams. This was understandably confusing however, and only lasted one season. By the turn of the century, all Major League teams were wearing uniforms. They were made of wool and cotton, and must have been almost unbearable in the summer heat compared to the synthetic and more breathable fabrics of today. The home team wore white and the visiting team grey. There were no names, numbers, or designs until 1907 when pin striping was introduced. This was the start of a gradual process of trends that eventually led to modern baseball uniforms.
Numbers first appeared on the back of major league uniforms worn by the New York Yankees in 1929. Prior to that, many players were opposed to the idea because they said it made them feel like convicts. That did not stop the Yankees however, and the numbers represented the players' positions in the batting order (i.e., Babe Ruth wore number 3 and batted third in the Yankee line-up). The fans embraced this idea, and by 1932, all Major League uniforms included numbers. This idea also boosted teams' revenue from the sale of scorecards; fans in attendance could now match the players names to the numbers on their jerseys. Names on the back did not exist until 1960 when Chicago White Sox owner and baseball visionary Bill Veeck introduced the concept, and many teams quickly followed. Veeck felt it was unfair that fans watching the games on television could see the players' names on the screen, but the fans in attendance at the ballpark could not.
Color schemes, graphics, patches, and gimmicks have also been around since the early 1900's. Though they were not as flashy as the trends of the 1970's and 1980's, they were just as important in identifying the different clubs. Could you imagine Babe Ruth striding to home plate wearing the White Sox Bermuda shorts that were introduced (and phased out nearly as fast) in 1976? Fans could now better identify with their team's logo. Patches are still used to this day to commemorate special events. From the patriotic pride patches during World Wars I and II, to the initials of passing members of an organization, patches have been a part of Major League uniforms since 1907. They were first worn by the Chicago White Sox to brag about their World Championship in the 1906 series against the cross-town Cubs.
Big league uniforms have come a long way since the original baggy, wool ones, but the sense of pride and accomplishment players derive from wearing it remains the same. Fans flock to purchase their favorite team and player's jerseys and caps. It has become a huge source of revenue for ball clubs and has helped spread the popularity of "America's Pastime" to other parts of the world. Whether it's Bill Veeck's sometimes ridiculed Bermuda shorts idea, the Houston Astros' often criticized rainbow scheme or the traditional Yankee pinstripes, the basic concept has not changed. Uniforms are a simple way for fans to identify one team, and one player from another.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Proud Moment for the History of Baseball
Last Friday the Houston Astros announced that the Houston Colt .45's throwback jerseys that they are going to wear this season will feature the smoking gun just like the original design from 1962-1964. The Astros are entering their 50th anniversary season in Major League Baseball and want to honor this by featuring all of their past uniforms throughout the season. However, when they tried to get approval from the league for the Colt .45's jerseys they were originally denied unless the pistol was removed from the front. This understandably upset many of the Houston fans, and last Friday the league surrendered to their dissension.
Major League Baseball was hesitant at first to approve the logo with fear that they would offend people by featuring the pistol. What they accomplished instead was the complete opposite, they managed to offend people by trying to edit the team's history. This is an example of Major League Baseball falling into the trap of political correctness that at times just makes them look foolish. They try to cater to as many different people as possible, but changing the history of the game is absurd. Major League Baseball already changed the Tampa Bay name from Devil Rays to Rays, there has also been talk of changing the Braves, and Indians team names, now they have attempted to change the Astros historically correct throwback jerseys. It's about time for baseball and society as a whole to realize that people are not always going to be happy and agree with everything, but that is what makes this country of free thought so interesting. No matter how many attempts are made history cannot be changed, and the foundation of baseball will weaken if the Commissioner's Office continues to feed into society's need for everyone to have a happy day. That is why the decision of Bud Selig to listen to the fans, and allow the Astros to feature the original Colt .45's jerseys is a step in the right direction. It proves that the people have a voice that matters and will be listened to if they go about it the right way. The games on April 10th and April 20th of this season will produce two more proud moments in Astros' history. When the home team takes the field, they will be wearing the Houston Colt .45's jerseys as they were intended to look. The Houston Astros, baseball fans, and Bud Selig should be applauded for their roles in preserving history, and demonstrating the reasons why baseball is America's National Pastime.
Major League Baseball was hesitant at first to approve the logo with fear that they would offend people by featuring the pistol. What they accomplished instead was the complete opposite, they managed to offend people by trying to edit the team's history. This is an example of Major League Baseball falling into the trap of political correctness that at times just makes them look foolish. They try to cater to as many different people as possible, but changing the history of the game is absurd. Major League Baseball already changed the Tampa Bay name from Devil Rays to Rays, there has also been talk of changing the Braves, and Indians team names, now they have attempted to change the Astros historically correct throwback jerseys. It's about time for baseball and society as a whole to realize that people are not always going to be happy and agree with everything, but that is what makes this country of free thought so interesting. No matter how many attempts are made history cannot be changed, and the foundation of baseball will weaken if the Commissioner's Office continues to feed into society's need for everyone to have a happy day. That is why the decision of Bud Selig to listen to the fans, and allow the Astros to feature the original Colt .45's jerseys is a step in the right direction. It proves that the people have a voice that matters and will be listened to if they go about it the right way. The games on April 10th and April 20th of this season will produce two more proud moments in Astros' history. When the home team takes the field, they will be wearing the Houston Colt .45's jerseys as they were intended to look. The Houston Astros, baseball fans, and Bud Selig should be applauded for their roles in preserving history, and demonstrating the reasons why baseball is America's National Pastime.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Bobby V. Taking His Act to Boston
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine stated that he is not a believer in pitchers using the windup as part of their delivery, according to the Boston Red Sox website. Valentine stated that pitching exclusively from the stretch position is common in Japan, where he has served as manager on two separate occasions, and he doesn't get why the windup is so common in Major League Baseball. Last month Valentine banned alcohol in the home clubhouse at Fenway Park and on return flights home. Then he fired a shot at the rival New York Yankees, stating that Derek Jeter was out of position on the "flip-play" in the 2001 ALDS, and also made the claim that there was no way Jeter practiced that play. All of this talk, and the first pitch of the 2012 regular season has not even been delivered yet.
Pitchers utilize the windup to create a rhythm for themselves, distract the hitter with all of the motion, and create more momentum by shifting their weight backward than forward toward the plate. When a batter is waiting for the pitch, it is definitely a distraction seeing the pitchers arms, legs, and body all move then deliver a 90 mph fastball toward the plate. It creates deception by the pitcher which is an important part of getting hitters out. The windup is a perfectly legal way to distract and hide the ball from the batter. Furthermore, when a pitcher uses the windup it can help him concentrate on the target rather than using a slide step then rushing the pitch. Everything in baseball happens in a split second, so just a little extra time to pick up and see the target could be the difference between a strike on the corner or a fastball that catches too much of the plate and ends up in the seats. A windup might not create more speed on a fastball but with the deception of the arms, legs, and body a pitcher will appear to be "sneaky" fast and the pitch will seem to have more velocity when it reaches the plate. Valentine also stated that it is common for the pitchers in Japan to only throw from the stretch, but how many Japanese pitchers had great big league careers? The answer is none. Hideki Irabu, Hideo Nomo, Daisuke Matsuzaka, came into the league and were good but not as great as the hype generated. They had good seasons and Hideo Nomo even pitched a no-hitter, but it will be a long time before a pitcher from Japan is elected into the Hall of Fame, and the windup vs. the stretch position has nothing to do with it. Yu Darvish still has the opportunity to prove this fact wrong, but if he follows the trend he will be another Japanese pitcher who will have a good not great career in the major leagues.
Bobby Valentine also banned alcohol from the Red Sox clubhouse after last season when some of the pitchers were drinking beer during games on their off day. This is an understandable move and other teams already have this rule in place, however the former manager of the Red Sox, Terry Francona thinks that it was a P.R. move and he might not be that far off. Remember that it was Bobby V. back in 1999, as manager of the Mets, who was ejected from the game and returned to the bench wearing a fake moustache and sunglasses. That stunt got him fined $10,000 and suspended for two games, but worse of all ridiculed for making a mockery of the game. This is also the same Bobby V. who was at the helm when Mets players Rickey Henderson and Bobby Bonilla played cards in the clubhouse during a game, rebelling against the philosophy of their skipper. Bobby Valentine has been proven to run a loose clubhouse, so for Terry Francona to call his latest rule a P.R. event might prove to be fact. What is the policy going to be if the Sox win in the playoffs, no champagne or beer? Valentine can talk as much as he wants, after all he has been a manager on and off in the big leagues since 1985. However, time will tell if he can win in Boston, his players respect him but Bobby Valentine has a way of letting his ego get in the way. Just like the pitchers that he managed in Japan, he will go down in baseball history as being a good not great manager, and a long way from being a Hall of Famer.
Pitchers utilize the windup to create a rhythm for themselves, distract the hitter with all of the motion, and create more momentum by shifting their weight backward than forward toward the plate. When a batter is waiting for the pitch, it is definitely a distraction seeing the pitchers arms, legs, and body all move then deliver a 90 mph fastball toward the plate. It creates deception by the pitcher which is an important part of getting hitters out. The windup is a perfectly legal way to distract and hide the ball from the batter. Furthermore, when a pitcher uses the windup it can help him concentrate on the target rather than using a slide step then rushing the pitch. Everything in baseball happens in a split second, so just a little extra time to pick up and see the target could be the difference between a strike on the corner or a fastball that catches too much of the plate and ends up in the seats. A windup might not create more speed on a fastball but with the deception of the arms, legs, and body a pitcher will appear to be "sneaky" fast and the pitch will seem to have more velocity when it reaches the plate. Valentine also stated that it is common for the pitchers in Japan to only throw from the stretch, but how many Japanese pitchers had great big league careers? The answer is none. Hideki Irabu, Hideo Nomo, Daisuke Matsuzaka, came into the league and were good but not as great as the hype generated. They had good seasons and Hideo Nomo even pitched a no-hitter, but it will be a long time before a pitcher from Japan is elected into the Hall of Fame, and the windup vs. the stretch position has nothing to do with it. Yu Darvish still has the opportunity to prove this fact wrong, but if he follows the trend he will be another Japanese pitcher who will have a good not great career in the major leagues.
Bobby Valentine also banned alcohol from the Red Sox clubhouse after last season when some of the pitchers were drinking beer during games on their off day. This is an understandable move and other teams already have this rule in place, however the former manager of the Red Sox, Terry Francona thinks that it was a P.R. move and he might not be that far off. Remember that it was Bobby V. back in 1999, as manager of the Mets, who was ejected from the game and returned to the bench wearing a fake moustache and sunglasses. That stunt got him fined $10,000 and suspended for two games, but worse of all ridiculed for making a mockery of the game. This is also the same Bobby V. who was at the helm when Mets players Rickey Henderson and Bobby Bonilla played cards in the clubhouse during a game, rebelling against the philosophy of their skipper. Bobby Valentine has been proven to run a loose clubhouse, so for Terry Francona to call his latest rule a P.R. event might prove to be fact. What is the policy going to be if the Sox win in the playoffs, no champagne or beer? Valentine can talk as much as he wants, after all he has been a manager on and off in the big leagues since 1985. However, time will tell if he can win in Boston, his players respect him but Bobby Valentine has a way of letting his ego get in the way. Just like the pitchers that he managed in Japan, he will go down in baseball history as being a good not great manager, and a long way from being a Hall of Famer.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Summer School
I know that summer is for barbeques, swimming, the beach, going to ball games, and the last thing on a youngster's mind is school and homework. There will be no homework assigned but this lesson is based on baseball, where math is especially important. There is a lot that can be learned from the game, and it doesn't feel like work at all.
Lesson # 1: Geography
Baseball is America's Pastime but it is actually played all over the world. You will find that Major League players come from all over including Japan, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and many other locations where a scout might find the next young prospect. Until the early 1950's there were no teams west of St. Louis. In 1958 the Dodgers and Giants both moved from New York to California, and this started a trend to expand Major League Baseball to cities across the United States and even into Canada. Today there are 30 teams in Major League Baseball spread across 17 states with 1 in Canada, and 1 in Washington D.C. Can you name the 17 states where you can watch a game?
Lesson # 2: Language
As I stated earlier baseball players come from many different countries. To play in the Major Leagues a player truly needs to be one of the best in the world. As a result, this can create a language barrier where communication on the field is essential to a team's success. When a player comes from another country he usually has a translator with him for press confrences, however this does not help in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base, and the catcher from the Dominican Republic is trying to tell his Japanese hurler how to pitch to the next batter. That is why, before they come to the United States they at least know baseball terms and they understand hand motions to be able to communicate on the field. After that it is a real struggle for many foreign players to adapt to life away from the diamond.
Lesson # 3: History
Baseball is based on tradition and history, and part of American History is based on baseball. The many different players, managers, coaches, teams, games, and how all of this has a place in making baseball America's Pastime.
Lesson # 4: Math
Baseball is tracked, and the history of the game is based on stats. It is statistics that are the measuring stick to be able to tell if a player will have a long career in professional baseball. They determine who is an All-Star and who is a Hall of Famer, and it is all based on mathematical equations. Some of the most important equations will be highlighted here.
Batting Average-- Number of Hits divided by Number of At Bats.
Note: A walk or Sacrifice does not count as an at bat.
On-Base Percentage-- (Hits + Walks + Hit by a pitch) / (At Bats + Walks + Hit by a pitch + Sacrifice Flies)
Slugging Percentage--This stat determines how many extra base hits a hitter gets, and is used to determine power numbers.
Total Bases divided by At Bats
Earned Run Average--This determines how many earned runs a pitcher averages over 9 innings.
(Earned Runs x 9) divided by innings pitched.
Winning Percentage--Wins divided by (Wins + Loses)
Magic Number-- The magic number is used to determine how close a team is from reaching the playoffs.
Interesting Baseball Fact: In 2001 Barry Bonds set the single season homerun record by belting 73 roundtrippers. Knowing that the bases are 90 feet apart and there are 5,280 feet in a mile. You can determine that Bonds ran an extra 4.97727 or 5 miles circling the bases after hitting those 73 record setting homeruns.
Lesson # 1: Geography
Baseball is America's Pastime but it is actually played all over the world. You will find that Major League players come from all over including Japan, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and many other locations where a scout might find the next young prospect. Until the early 1950's there were no teams west of St. Louis. In 1958 the Dodgers and Giants both moved from New York to California, and this started a trend to expand Major League Baseball to cities across the United States and even into Canada. Today there are 30 teams in Major League Baseball spread across 17 states with 1 in Canada, and 1 in Washington D.C. Can you name the 17 states where you can watch a game?
Lesson # 2: Language
As I stated earlier baseball players come from many different countries. To play in the Major Leagues a player truly needs to be one of the best in the world. As a result, this can create a language barrier where communication on the field is essential to a team's success. When a player comes from another country he usually has a translator with him for press confrences, however this does not help in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base, and the catcher from the Dominican Republic is trying to tell his Japanese hurler how to pitch to the next batter. That is why, before they come to the United States they at least know baseball terms and they understand hand motions to be able to communicate on the field. After that it is a real struggle for many foreign players to adapt to life away from the diamond.
Lesson # 3: History
Baseball is based on tradition and history, and part of American History is based on baseball. The many different players, managers, coaches, teams, games, and how all of this has a place in making baseball America's Pastime.
Lesson # 4: Math
Baseball is tracked, and the history of the game is based on stats. It is statistics that are the measuring stick to be able to tell if a player will have a long career in professional baseball. They determine who is an All-Star and who is a Hall of Famer, and it is all based on mathematical equations. Some of the most important equations will be highlighted here.
Batting Average-- Number of Hits divided by Number of At Bats.
Note: A walk or Sacrifice does not count as an at bat.
On-Base Percentage-- (Hits + Walks + Hit by a pitch) / (At Bats + Walks + Hit by a pitch + Sacrifice Flies)
Slugging Percentage--This stat determines how many extra base hits a hitter gets, and is used to determine power numbers.
Total Bases divided by At Bats
Earned Run Average--This determines how many earned runs a pitcher averages over 9 innings.
(Earned Runs x 9) divided by innings pitched.
Winning Percentage--Wins divided by (Wins + Loses)
Magic Number-- The magic number is used to determine how close a team is from reaching the playoffs.
Interesting Baseball Fact: In 2001 Barry Bonds set the single season homerun record by belting 73 roundtrippers. Knowing that the bases are 90 feet apart and there are 5,280 feet in a mile. You can determine that Bonds ran an extra 4.97727 or 5 miles circling the bases after hitting those 73 record setting homeruns.
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