Baseball… America’s pastime!

What history!

From Babe Ruth’s home runs, to Cal Ripken’s legendary games played, baseball is a game for everyone.

It is a game where you don’t need to be a 300 lb. 6’4” goliath nor a 7’6” giant. Just ask Yogi Berra whose baseball cards state 5’8” 191 lbs. Through the years, athletes continue to get bigger and stronger in every sport… but even in today’s game we can still find the likes of David Eckstein’s 5’7” 177 lbs.

Baseball is a game of the people!!

True, there are not many smaller players, but they are out there. This is no truer than in youth baseball. I love to sit and watch a team of 8-9 year olds and see kids of all shapes and sizes.

This game is a game for everyone.

Who can ever forget the NY Mets’ Bill Buckner’s error in the 1986 World Series, or the home run record race of 1998? (Though it’s been tarnished by steroid use, it was still fun to watch at the time). Even non baseball fans knew these feats. Personally, I’m a Yankees fan (I know you’re either going to put this book down and burn it or leap for joy).   I remember lying on my bed watching the 1995 playoffs with the Yankees and Mariners. Yankees up 4-2 in the 8^th inning. I was pumped! Then the Mariners tied it up forcing extra innings. NO!!! It took 11 innings and the Yankees were forced out of the playoffs. I cried like a baby.

Baseball at its best.

You gotta love this game.

Recently, our local 12 year old Tournament team played in a game similar to the Yankees/Mariners game. They were playing in Richmond, VA in their last tournament of the season. Our local team was up 2-0 in the bottom of the 6^th. (At 12 years old, six innings are all that’s played) Our pitcher was throwing a no hit shutout. So, it’s the bottom of the 6^th, what do you do? He’s already thrown a lot of pitches, is it his game to win or lose? Pull him, and put the lefty in, or the knuckleballer? Do we keep him in?

He’s on the mound at the start of the inning.
First batter up, fastball, strike one…
Fastball high, ball.
Curveball down, swing and a miss. The count, 1-2.
Waste pitch in the dirt but the batter didn’t go for it, ball two.
Two and two.
Next, fastball in the zone, base hit.

Next batter, first pitch, fastball taken deep to center for a double. Quick throw in, man on 2^nd and 3^rd with no outs.
Next up, hits to 2^nd, gets the out at first. One down. But, the runner from 3^rd scores. The score’s now 2-1.
One out man on 3^rd.
Infield hit, check the runner, safe at 1^st.
Now, here we go… one out; men on 1^st and 3^rd. Very first pitch, runner steals 2^nd to stay out of the double play.

Coach visits the mound to check the pitcher. They have a talk. It’s decided, it’s his game to win or his to lose.
Ball one, swing and a miss. 1-1. Next pitch, deep shot to right center, runner from 2^nd rounds 3^rd, no play at the plate. Ball game over. Our local team loses 3-2.

What a heartbreaker for our local team!

Here are some thoughts. If the coach pulled the pitcher, the game could’ve had a different ending. But, if they pull him and lose… Hind sight is always 20/20. And as a coach, what do you do? You’re a genius if you win and an idiot if you lose.

Baseball at its best!

You gotta love this game.

This is baseball!!!