WEBBTIDE 2001-2002 @ SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Volume 37 No.13 Apr. 12 - Apr. 25, 2002 [ ARCHIVE ] [ FEEDBACK ] [ HELP ]
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Baseball: Definitively timeless

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      Baseball.
      It is a sport so simple that any child can learn it with ease, yet it involves a countless number of complexities, giving it the substance that makes it stand out against its ball-dribbling, shoulder pad-wearing and puck-shooting counterparts.
      However, in order to keep their fans' attention and also keep up in a sports industry that demands action packed faster paced products, Major league baseball is attempting to shorten the length of its games. And as usual Commissioner Bud Selig's attempts to help baseball will only hinder the game.
      There is no arguing that baseball is the slowest of the four major sports. During the 2001 season the average game lasted two hours and 54 minutes. "the powers that be" in the commissioner's office want to shorten the average length of a baseball game by 10-20 minutes this season.
      In order to reach this lofty goal umpires are being asked to enforce time shaving rule changes that were made in 1998. Some of the rule changes include: limiting the time a pitcher has to throw a pitch between pitches to 12 seconds, allowing only two and a half minutes for a pitching change to be made and making sure that batters have a second bat ready near the deck circle.
      Those are just a few of the nonsensical rule changes that umpires are being asked to enforce. If these new rule changes aren't followed the batter could be penalized with a strike or the pitcher could be charged with a ball.
      The penalties are the most ridiculous part of the time shaving tactics. Who could imagine a pitcher issuing a walk without having the ball leave his hand, or worse yet, a batter striking out on a pitch that was never thrown? Fortunately these rule changes have yet to be enforced this season.
      If Major league baseball's goal is to speed up the pace of the game in order to keep the interest of fans with short attention spans, it will do more harm than good. Baseball is a timeless sport that is filled with strategy, anticipation and suspense. Part of what makes the game so great is the thought and strategy involved that makes the game what it is.
      The so-called game within the game, the battle between a batter and pitcher, is the meat and potatoes of the sport.
      By regulating the mind games that occur when a batter calls time, or not allowing a pitcher to shrug off pitches and decide just the right time to throw a pitch, Major league baseball would be effectively shooting its own foot. Just because baseball's main demographic doesn't have the attention span of a three-year old doesn't mean that there are fans out there who enjoy a three hour and 15 minute pitcher's duel.
      Reasons exits that explain the expanding length of games. Many believe that inflated pitching and higher scoring games are the two of the bigger causes for three-hour games. However, this is what makes the game enjoyable for the fans. The homerun is the single most exciting action that takes place at any sports event. Nothing is more exciting than hearing the crack of the bat when a hitter gets a hold of a pitch and sends it 425 feet deep.
      What the "great-almighty-baseball-powers-that-be" don't understand is that fans enjoy the pace of the game the way it is. Baseball has enough rules that are filled with technicalities. In an era that includes an expanded strike zone, body armor and the looming threat of a work stoppage there is no need to add more technicalities and confusion for fans.
      Baseball has lasted over 17 presidents, two World Wars and has been through the advent of radio, television and the internet. No other sport has displayed such staying power. Stop interfering with the sports and just let the games happen, baseball is a tradition that has been handed down from father to son for generations. My message to Commissioner Selig is: Don't mess with a good thing. Baseball is America's pastime and there's nothing that the men in suits running the game should stop trying to ruin that.

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by Travis Hay

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Baseball: Definitively timeless
.	Baseball. It is a sport so simple that any child can learn it with ease, yet it involves a countless number of complexities, giving it the substance that makes it stand out against its ball-dribbling, shoulder pad-wearing and puck-shooting counterparts. However, in order to keep their fans' attention and also keep up in a sports industry that demands action packed faster paced products, Major league baseball is attempting to shorten the length of its games. And as usual Commissioner Bud Selig's attempts to help baseball will only hinder the game. There is no arguing that baseball is the slowest of the four major sports. During the 2001 season the average game lasted two hours and 54 minutes. "the powers that be" in the commissioner's office want to shorten the average length of a baseball game by 10-20 minutes this season. In order to reach this lofty goal umpires are being asked to enforce time shaving rule changes that were made in 1998. Some of the rule changes include: limiting the time a pitcher has to throw a pitch between pitches to 12 seconds, allowing only two and a half minutes for a pitching change to be made and making sure that batters have a second bat ready near the deck circle. Those are just a few of the nonsensical rule changes that umpires are being asked to enforce. If these new rule changes aren't followed the batter could be penalized with a strike or the pitcher could be charged with a ball. The penalties are the most ridiculous part of the time shaving tactics. Who could imagine a pitcher issuing a walk without having the ball leave his hand, or worse yet, a batter striking out on a pitch that was never thrown? Fortunately these rule changes have yet to be enforced this season. If Major league baseball's goal is to speed up the pace of the game in order to keep the interest of fans with short attention spans, it will do more harm than good. Baseball is a timeless sport that is filled with strategy, anticipation and suspense. Part of what makes the game so great is the thought and strategy involved that makes the game what it is. The so-called game within the game, the battle between a batter and pitcher, is the meat and potatoes of the sport. By regulating the mind games that occur when a batter calls time, or not allowing a pitcher to shrug off pitches and decide just the right time to throw a pitch, Major league baseball would be effectively shooting its own foot. Just because baseball's main demographic doesn't have the attention span of a three-year old doesn't mean that there are fans out there who enjoy a three hour and 15 minute pitcher's duel. Reasons exits that explain the expanding length of games. Many believe that inflated pitching and higher scoring games are the two of the bigger causes for three-hour games. However, this is what makes the game enjoyable for the fans. The homerun is the single most exciting action that takes place at any sports event. Nothing is more exciting than hearing the crack of the bat when a hitter gets a hold of a pitch and sends it 425 feet deep. What the "great-almighty-baseball-powers-that-be" don't understand is that fans enjoy the pace of the game the way it is. Baseball has enough rules that are filled with technicalities. In an era that includes an expanded strike zone, body armor and the looming threat of a work stoppage there is no need to add more technicalities and confusion for fans. Baseball has lasted over 17 presidents, two World Wars and has been through the advent of radio, television and the internet. No other sport has displayed such staying power. Stop interfering with the sports and just let the games happen, baseball is a tradition that has been handed down from father to son for generations. My message to Commissioner Selig is: Don't mess with a good thing. Baseball is America's pastime and there's nothing that the men in suits running the game should stop trying to ruin that.	.
by Travis Hay