AS far as MLB they are about ass worthless as tits on a boar hog ............. but Little League World series is all that I care to watch because they are playing for the true spirit of the game............drill sgt.

[/QUOTE] I think you’re giving them way too much credit with 2.5 hours of action. If you start the timer at the crack of the bay and stop it when the runner crosses first base (or whatever base) the ball is in play on average of 8 minutes per game.[/QUOTE]
That’s why they’re able to “squeeze” 162 games out of their bodies.

You wouldn't look at Chess that way. Only counting the time when a player is moving a piece as the actual match. But then the modern professional game is faaaar from chess these days.

quote:

If you start the timer at the crack of the bay and stop it when the runner crosses first base (or whatever base) the ball is in play on average of 8 minutes per game

That's not how the game works, and trying to appease people with that mindset is everything that's wrong with and what it ruining the game.

We'll have to see how I feel after spring training

Part of me is like who gives a crap
I have been a die hard baseball fanatic since i was 7.

I do like me some minor league games though
Especially the wood bat leagues.

I hope to catch a couple of junior college baseball games with my dad in Florida.

I am soooo over the Orioles.
It looks like I may be moving back to Ohio so I maybe dusting off my old Big Red Machine hats, jerseys.

Good grief mrap. Going from the bottom of the barrel to the bottom of the heap.

I used to be a baseball fan but now I couldn't care less. My wife is an avid fan of the game. Watching her team- the Braves- gives her much happiness, so we'll watch the games and she won't hear a word from me about the encroachment of PC bullshit or about whining, overpaid men who hit around a little ball for a living. This "strike" bullshit was the last straw for me.

Younger I was big-time in love with baseball.
Growing up in the mid-west I was diehard Cardinals fan.
Listened to every game on a transistor radio even sneaking it in at school for day games.
Somewhere around the BB strike in the nineties made me lose interest.
I don't dislike it but not consumed with it like I am with Golf.
Money and Politics ruin everything.

Go Nats.

Not sure I will like the new pitch clock.

Universal DH. Yuck!

I always felt the pitcher should hit, it's up to the manager to strategize around a weak hitter.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
You win the game by getting men AROUND the bases. Not on base.

Wrong. On base percentage leads to wins. Hit by pitch, walk, bunt, single, etc. The higher percentage of on base for the team, the higher number of wins in the win column for the team. Sabermetrics proves that outcome regardless the team or division you look at. Beating the shift is simple 'if' team managers and players take ego out of the game and take what's openly given to them.

MLB also added the DH to the NL and expanded playoffs to 6 teams with the wild card play in game being a best of 3 set. More games to sell concessions and more TV revenue and a

I follow the giants, my wife was a season ticket holder when I met her and our pastor even had a section of our wedding where he intertwined love and marriage to baseball. Unknown to us. He must have been taking notes during our pre marital counselling and we must have mentioned our first date was a giants game

I have grown to like my local minor league team the AA Pensacola Wahoos. 5$ to park, can get tickets in the front row literally behind the netting for cheap and they have great mid inning fan gimmicks. Like having all the kids in the the stadium run across the outfield chasing an intern dressed in a roach costume.

Best of all is no egos in minor leaguers like major league players.

I dont really care for the no shift rule. I was always screaming at the batter to just lay a bunt down the 3rd base line.
choke up and just ding it. There is literally no on on that side to make the play.

I only saw this done a few times. More often than not, the shift worked and the batter hit directly to the shortstop playing in shallow right.

It is good they are back. FWIW I bought season tickets to our college team and my dad (mom has passed) and I go to most of them. We have been having a great time just watching baseball and hanging out. typically three hours start to finish. The concessions is even run by a student club that contributes to student athlete scholarships. It has been such a positive thing I plan on doing this every year.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I hope so. The shortstop playing in short right field I thought was about the dumbest thing I have seen.

Actually it's NOT Dumb at all. If statistically, that's where the hitter is likely to hit the ball, then that's how you position your defense. As a Coach, you ALWAYS position your defense to take away the hit. The game is about Outs...It's just Smart Baseball

It is also on the batter.

If yuo are a lefty and the whole field is at or to the right of second base and you are not smart enough or good enough to do a hard bunt down the third base line, you are way over paid and need to experience AAA ball again.

This. If you want t beat the shift, or stop them from shifting, lay down a bunt. Actually practice bunting. Problem solved

I am no fan of the shift but I don't want to see a rule prohibiting it.

I love baseball. Played it my whole life. Lifelong Yankee fan. When I enrolled in college in upstate NY, I couldn't get Yankee games but I could get the Braves on TBS. I fell in love with the early 90's Braves. Pendleton, Lemke, Gant, Justice, Otis Nixon, Sid Bream, crime dog, and that pitching staff. Some of the best post season baseball I have ever seen was Braves vs Pirates in the NLCS. Anyway, my love for the Braves was diluted when the Yanks played them in the WS in '96. It was great to root for them again last year. Brought back a lot of memories. It reminded me why I love baseball.

Well, the Twins surpised everyone, including me, by signing Carlos Correa from the 'Stros for a club record $105 million 3 year deal. It's only really a one year deal though because both sides have opt out options in years 2 & 3.

Correa gets a bunch of money for one year and then can hit the free agent market without any other stud short stops in his way, and the Twins get another year to bring their minor leaguers through the system.

Still need starting pitching though.

It's going to be a rough year as Oakland's cheap ass owner is doing everything he can to drive fans away from our crumbling stadium. Trading stars for a rebuild while raising ticket prices is genius. Openly coveting a different market too, which would be a disaster in every way except for his pocketbook when he sells.

The shift is ugly and I'm not a fan but it's excellent strategy and should be allowed. Lay down a bunt a run forever or keep trying to hit into its teeth.

I used to go to Braves games once or twice a year. Started with games in the Braves Stadium, then Turner Field, and in May, Truist Park for the first time. My wife bought tickets for our family and my friend’s family (also a forum member). Looking forward to going to a live game, first since 1996-7. Shame Freddie Freeman won’t be a part of the team any longer though. I’m not sure about other teams but I recently found that Braves give a military discount to veterans through govx.com. The discount was substantial enough for us to shell out the hard earned bucks for the tickets along the third base line but one section back. We send to get free tickets through work and a friend that was a MLB umpire. The seats were right behind home plate with the players families. You could call balls and strikes from that view. Those were the days. They start pulling much more anti America crap in MLB I’ll be giving it up though. If baseball can’t remain patriotic, our country is long burned toast.
Go Braves, Go Dawgs.

We have really enjoyed farm game teams playing in Chattanooga and Knoxville. The Lookouts and Smokey’s, farm teams for the Twins and Cubs. Affordable and players are spoiled shits making millions whether on the DL or playing. They actually play the game as if their careers depended upon it.

Davey Martinez sending Darren Baker out to meet his Dad (Dusty) is what makes this game great.

Darren then hitting the RBI to beat his dad is what makes this the greatest game

My grandmother was a Braves fan.

I don't watch baseball much, but for her I'll say, "Let's go, Braves!"

Braves going B2B this season.