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Major League Baseball has gone soft on its interpretation of the rules of the game.  Baseball, for all intents and purposes, has not changed its rules in over 30 years.  This comes as a stark contrast to other sports such as basketball and football that are constantly evolving their rules which inevitably allows the calls made by the ref’s and officials to impact the outcome of the game a little bit more.

In baseball, there are really only a limited amount of calls that can be made by the umpiring crew.  Balls, Strikes, Outs, Home Runs, Ground Rules, etc.  Although balls and strikes have a written definition (Width of the plate from the letters of the jersey to the knees) each strike zone is individualized to the umpire who is behind the plate in a particular game.  The “Rules” I am referring to the unwritten rules.  No showboating after a big home run, no bunting to break up a no-hitter in the 8^th inning, no stealing bases when your team is up by a lot in the late innings.

The Unwritten Rules of Baseball

These unwritten rules are not up to the umpiring crew to enforce, but have almost always been left up to the players themselves.  Times were, if you hit a home run and walked around the bases, you could expect a fastball in your back the next time you stepped up to the plate.  Nowadays, if the umpire deems your hitting of the batter “intentional” that becomes grounds for possible ejection and eventual suspension from league officials.

Baseball, more than any other sport, is a game full of pride, steeped in tradition, and governed by the unwritten rules of the players.  When the umpires and league officials begin to step in and police that themselves, it takes away a big part of the game that I have come to love.  A major reason that home run numbers are up over the past few years (Besides Steroids) and that pitcher’s ERA’s are through the roof, is that the league is taking away some of the intimidation factor that pitchers once had.  Batters are now allowed to crowd the plate because they know that the pitchers are afraid to throw inside because of the risk of ejection and suspension.  Although the rules of the game are the same, the strategies are changing because of poor interpretation of some of the game’s rules.  Baseball is one of the only sports that attempts to judge “intent” when making calls on the field.  There is no rule in baseball that says you are not allowed to hit a batter, there is a consequence for hitting him in that he is awarded first base, but that’s written into the rules.

Impossible to Officiate?

Imagine that basketball, for instance, started officiating based on intent.  We would never see another free throw again! In the NFL, it would be the same way.  Except in rare cases, no offensive lineman really “means” to hold the opposing player’s jersey, but it happens.  All the technological advancements used in officiating today will never be able to properly judge the intent of a player, but yet that is what is driving most of the ejections and suspensions of players in the game of baseball today.

I am not calling for removing all rights of an umpire when it comes to ejecting players, there comes a point when the safety of the players supersedes any of the written rules.  All I am asking for is some consideration for the pitchers and the players who thrive on strategy and mental fortitude to be able to play the game the best way that they can.  If that means plunking a few players to get them to back off the plate, then so be it.  If a punk kid straight out of the minors tries showboating or stealing signs, teach him a lesson.  Let’s protect the integrity of the game here.

We’ve all played sports video games before.  From the original sports games like RBI Baseball, where you could bunt for a homerun, to Tecmo Bowl where you could literally kill a quarter with a single running play.  The question still remains…Will they ever be able to create a sports video game that gets everything right?  Let’s face it, no matter how advanced the computer’s AI gets, it’s still a computer with a finite amount of movements and reactions to your input on the controller.  Don’t get me wrong, video games have come a long long way in the past few years, not only graphically, but with advanced controls.

Looks Amazing, But Something Doesnt Feel Right

There are so many things  you can do now with the controllers that just weren’t possible with the old NES and SEGA Controllers, but despite the spin moves, jukes, alley oops and curveballs can a sports video game ever make you feel like you are there?

Is there ever a real “Home Field Advantage” when playing these games? I have yet to see home field really make that much of a difference; in fact, if you took my combined stats of every sports game I’ve played at home and on the road, it would probably be statistically even.  In my opinion, the lack of arena influence on the game is one of the biggest reasons why sports video games have not progressed to their fullest potential yet.  Sure, the controller vibrates in a tough situation but is that really a substitute for the Cameron Crazies yelling obscenities at you and jumping around as you shoot free throws with the game on the line?

You Cant Match This Intensity Without Help from Your Drunk Roommates

Is there any way to match what you are feeling during game 7 of the World Series? What it feels like to have millions watching you as you kick the winning field goal of the super bowl? And the answer is simply no…Video games have their place, don’t get me wrong, I love playing them almost as much as anyone but they are no substitute for the real thing.  Playing Mario Baseball with your roommates can be fun for a while, but is there any question that if you leave one out over the plate that Bowser is putting it in the upper deck, much to the chagrin of Waluigi. 

This is not a knock on sports video games; I own lots of them and like playing them.  I just wonder if there is more that developers can do to make you feel like you are there.  Get the crowd involved, let the good coaches make the right decisions when the game is on the line instead of having the players do what they have done since the first quarter.  Kids can play all the video games they want, but it is no match for the character they build by being out on the court or field, depending on teammates, persevering through pressure and much more.

Every year or so, a sports movie comes out that is supposed to make you feel good, tell a captivating tale, break your heart, or keep you on the edge of your seat.  Unfortunately, I always walk away disappointed which is why from this day forward - with the exception of The Sandlot - I will never watch another sports movie. 

I hesitate to even put The Sandlot in the “sports movie” category because it is really more of a story about growing up, getting into trouble, facing your adversity, and learning the hard way that sometimes a knock on your neighbor’s door is the best way to handle things.  The grab bag of crazy characters take turns talking trash, kissing lifeguards, chewing tobacco, and playing ball under the fireworks.  They even come together and beat an organized team that had their own baseball jerseys.  Yes, this movie is a classic and one of my personal, all-time favorites. 

But the other sports movies out there are what really grind my gears.   I don’t want to take anything away from the talented actors, they are fine at what they do, but let me say this…with very few exceptions you had two choices growing up. Your first option was to play sports which many of us did.  Your second option was to take drama or theater classes which some of us did.  Those that excelled in drama classes, probably weren’t so hot on the basketball court or the baseball and football fields.  So why is it that I am forced to watch actors look like uncoordinated 6^th graders out on the court or field every time I watch a sports movie?  Oh, and have you ever seen Tom Cruise throw a ball? Good form there.  You really put the Short in Shortstop by the way. 

Anybody who has ever watched an actual sporting event knows that there is enough drama in the game to make it exciting without having to add players breaking their leg but triumphantly returning to the court for the game winning shot.  Real sports fans know that it takes talent and chemistry all year long to win a championship, you can’t start liking and trusting each other in the huddle on the last play of the game and expect to get anything done. 

Also, do they ever lose?  Is there any doubt as to the outcome of a sports movie?  Did you watch Mr. 3,000 and really think that Bernie Mac wasn’t going to get his 3,000 hits and get into the Hall of Fame? If a team ever does lose the championship, do they ever show it? No they end on a good note and run the story of how they lost just before the closing credits. 

To me, sports movies are a horrible rendition of what actual sports are like.  Horrible acting, horrible drama, predictable endings.  I would love to hear of any sports movies you’ve seen that break this mold.  The challenge is out!

Thinking back to when I played AYSO soccer in Midvale, UT back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, I can’t help but think how those times have impacted me as a person since.  Having time to spend with your friends, playing soccer and generally having a good time was something I wouldn’t trade for all the money in the world.

The teams I played on were not always good, in fact, many were quite horrid thinking back.  Much like the NCAA these days, all the quality players were scooped up and hand-picked for the top teams in the league.  Despite the deficienices on the field, everyone on the teams had a great time playing and were rewarded at the end of the season w/ the team photos and soccer trophies.  The games were always fun as well, marked by sliced oranges and Hi-C during halftime and Twinkies or Ding Dongs after the game - win or lose.  Great times…

I also played tee-ball for 1 year, but wasn’t very good and/or didn’t feel like continuing down that path, so that is as long as it lasted.  Looking in my scrapbook box the other day, I did find that my lone baseball trophy among the half-dozen or so soccer trophies.  My trophy rack would certainly look better w/ more baseball trophies! 

In addition, I also suited up for the “Junior” Jazz rec league teams for several years.  This was really my passion and I think I was pretty good, but it did not lead to any high school teams or playing time unfortunately.

Something I could have excelled at, had I applied myself correctly at the time, would’ve probably been golf.  Our high school had a golf team and both my parents were playing on a regular basis, so it would’ve been a natural direction to go.  I play sparingly these days, but wish I could’ve added a few golf trophies to accompany my others.

Now perhaps, I will try to instill the same love of sports and team play on my son and daughter.

Baseball News from L.A. Times

The number of players approved for ADD medication rose last year. The public accounting is in response to the Mitchell Report. The number of players approved to take attention deficit disorder medications under baseball’s drug policy rose last season, even after the sport tightened its rules in response to criticism from Congress.

Of 3,486 tests administered last year, 19 resulted in a positive test, including five for performance-enhancing substances and 14 for stimulants, according to the report. The tests covered 1,348 players.

The issue of ADD drugs arose during a Congressional hearing last year, when it was revealed that the number of exemptions granted for those drugs had risen from 28 in 2006 to 103 in 2007, sparking concern that some players might be trying to circumvent a new amphetamine ban by using ADD medications.  Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times

Slugger makes an impact at the box office.

Escorted by six security guards and Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda, Manny Ramirez made his way to a podium set up behind home plate at Dodger Stadium on Friday, the dozen or so cameramen around him impeding his movement.

Continue reading on L.A. Times

Manny didn’t drive in any runs in his first appearance as a Dodger, but he was 2-4 w/ 2 singles.  Unfortunately, the team lost to the D-Backs.  Not quite the performance of Jason Bay in Boston, but solid nonetheless.  For the Dodgers, trading for Manny was a great move - it should payoff as the rest of the season progresses.

Interesting stat… after joining the Dodgers, Ramirez is immediately their team leader in home runs, RBI’s and runs scored.  That says a lot about how crappy L.A. has been this year.

Manny Ramirez Trade Details:

They give up two minor leaguers, including Andy LaRoche, in three-way deal involving the Pirates. Jason Bay goes to Boston.

The Dodgers acquired outfielder Manny Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox today in one of the boldest trade deadline moves in their history. More

Oh My!!! The Boston Red Sox have traded superstar outfielder Manny Ramirez across the country to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Often temperamental and unpredictable, Ramirez went through one of his regular season “I don’t wanna be here” syndromes and Boston finally took action.

Boston will front the remaining $7 million for this season of Ramirez’s contract, so the Dodgers get a HUGE impact player for almost nothing.

I believe the trade instantly improves the Dodgers in a weak division, which looks winnable now w/ this move. The D-Backs are there only real competition and they haven’t made a move, so the Dodgers leapfrog them in my opinion.

There was a 3rd team involved in the deal, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who traded outfielder Jason Bay to Boston.

Wow, I really don’t see how the Red Sox lose a step at all w/ this trade. Bay will step in right away and they shouldn’t miss a beat.

The Pirates are surely just dumping salaries, as usual, and can be expected to suck ass for at least another year. Might want to check the GM’s head after this one… he was basically a pawn for the Red Sox & Dodgers. Does he know they still suck?

As a D-Backs fan, I am excited now… the division race gets more interesting, a player I like will play in AZ several times more now (vs. virtually never before). I love the move by Boston.

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Home run champ and hated teammate Barry Bonds appeared in court Friday to plead “not guilty” to 4 counts of perjury and an obstruction of justice charge.  All charges stem from Bonds testimony against a grand-jury about his ties to steriod usage in MLB.  It was the first time in about 3 weeks that Barry has made a public appearance.  No trial date has been set, but rumors put it after the upcoming baseball season or even in 2009.

Barry Bonds has denied all involvement from day 1, so it’s really no surprise to see him do the same in court.  It’s still not 100% clear whether Bonds is telling the truth, however, due simply to his heavy involvement w/ BALCO and Conte, it’s founder.

The legal defense for Bonds claims there are errors or unclear information in the charges - they’re trying to get the case dismissed altogether.  However this ends, you just hope that we get to hear the truth at some point…