Athletic correctness

[Dafatone]

Baseball is fine. There's probably a combination of tweaks, like moving the mound back just a little (more contact) and making the ball a little more dead (weaker contact) that would result in more action.

But it's fine! Guys throw 95mph sliders. There's only so much you can do to increase balls in play.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Baseball is fine. There's probably a combination of tweaks, like moving the mound back just a little (more contact) and making the ball a little more dead (weaker contact) that would result in more action.

But it's fine! Guys throw 95mph sliders. There's only so much you can do to increase balls in play.

The philosophy of "Homers or strikeouts."  That's ruined the game, too.

[BearLover]

Baseball is fine. There's probably a combination of tweaks, like moving the mound back just a little (more contact) and making the ball a little more dead (weaker contact) that would result in more action.

But it's fine! Guys throw 95mph sliders. There's only so much you can do to increase balls in play.

The philosophy of "Homers or strikeouts."  That's ruined the game, too.

Are homers and strikeouts less exciting than singles and ground outs? Fewer stolen bases is no good, that's definitely true.

[Chris H82]

I've heard it's an even better book (like The Big Short) but I have not partaken.

I'm not into stats and thought the book was fascinating and a well told tale.

Well, that tears it - I've been keeping it shelved for a while, but I'm bringing it with me to Germany for next week.

If you've got room in your bag, also throw in "The Premonition  - a Pandemic Story", by Michael Lewis. I think it's his best book yet.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Baseball is fine. There's probably a combination of tweaks, like moving the mound back just a little (more contact) and making the ball a little more dead (weaker contact) that would result in more action.

But it's fine! Guys throw 95mph sliders. There's only so much you can do to increase balls in play.

The philosophy of "Homers or strikeouts."  That's ruined the game, too.

Are homers and strikeouts less exciting than singles and ground outs? Fewer stolen bases is no good, that's definitely true.

Depends.  A bunch of singles strung together can be extremely exciting. Taking the strategy out of the game and making it one-dimensional makes it less interesting to me.

But YMMV

[Al DeFlorio]

Baseball is fine. There's probably a combination of tweaks, like moving the mound back just a little (more contact) and making the ball a little more dead (weaker contact) that would result in more action.

But it's fine! Guys throw 95mph sliders. There's only so much you can do to increase balls in play.

The philosophy of "Homers or strikeouts."  That's ruined the game, too.

Are homers and strikeouts less exciting than singles and ground outs? Fewer stolen bases is no good, that's definitely true.

Depends.  A bunch of singles strung together can be extremely exciting. Taking the strategy out of the game and making it one-dimensional makes it less interesting to me.

But YMMV

Baserunning to stretch a hit or getting to third on a single or beating the throw to home is more exciting than jogging around the bases.

[Beeeej]

I've heard it's an even better book (like The Big Short) but I have not partaken.

I'm not into stats and thought the book was fascinating and a well told tale.

Well, that tears it - I've been keeping it shelved for a while, but I'm bringing it with me to Germany for next week.

If you've got room in your bag, also throw in "The Premonition  - a Pandemic Story", by Michael Lewis. I think it's his best book yet.

I wouldn't get a hard copy in time if I ordered it now, but I could always download to Kindle anytime next week anyway. Thanks!

[Dafatone]

Baseball is fine. There's probably a combination of tweaks, like moving the mound back just a little (more contact) and making the ball a little more dead (weaker contact) that would result in more action.

But it's fine! Guys throw 95mph sliders. There's only so much you can do to increase balls in play.

The philosophy of "Homers or strikeouts."  That's ruined the game, too.

Are homers and strikeouts less exciting than singles and ground outs? Fewer stolen bases is no good, that's definitely true.

I'd say homers are exciting. Strikeouts are the big one that isn't exciting. Balls in play are good.

[Dafatone]

Baseball is fine. There's probably a combination of tweaks, like moving the mound back just a little (more contact) and making the ball a little more dead (weaker contact) that would result in more action.

But it's fine! Guys throw 95mph sliders. There's only so much you can do to increase balls in play.

The philosophy of "Homers or strikeouts."  That's ruined the game, too.

It's kind of a chicken and egg thing. Guys throw much harder with better break (and arguably less control). If you're gonna make less contact because stuff is more untouchable, you might as well make that contact count.

Also, umps have decided that the strike zone is shins to thighs for some reason. Low zone = uppercut swings. I'd love for them to call actual letter-high strikes again.

[Larry72]

Uh...guys/gals ... hockey???!

[osorojo]

If you can't sing good, sing loud. If you can't talk sense, talk lots.

[Trotsky]

Aaron Judge hit his 60th home run last night.

He's goin to be something when he gets to a major league.

[Trotsky]

All things have gone downhill since the invention of the arquebus.

Fixed.

[Trotsky]

Uh...guys/gals ... hockey???!

< Looks at calendar. >

"In a little while, man."

[billhoward]

Uh...guys/gals ... hockey???!

We should all use TD Bank. It might stand for thread drift.