Guillen Fine and Daily Predictions

It's tough to pick a winner in interleague play, but here goes:

Reds over the Indians
Cardinals over the Tigers
Twins over the Cubs
White Sox over the Astros
Mariners over the Padres

I'm not sure I agree with punishing somone for speaking his mind. I could see maybe the Whitesox fining him if he broke a rule because he's their employee. It's hard for me to see the league doing it though, unless it's during a game.

What about the 1st Amendment rights to free speech?

I'm getting really tired of the so-called political correctness. Often it seems like political correctness just something to give those people who can't think of something meaningful to say a chance to say something. It rarely adds anything of value to a discussion and frequently deflects meaningful conversation into another subject.

These days there are only three groups that it is politically corrrect to badmouth in the United States. The first is white males, second are older people, and third are obese people. One can say just about anything one wants about any of this group, especially white males and fat people.

I happen to fit into all three categories so I'm pretty much open to any vergal abuse anyone would care to heap.

I have recently started a website about health and weightloss.
Check it out.

I'm currently on vacation is Oklahoma and have been eating the heavy food of the area. When I get back I'm planning on some weightloss. I'll be putting up a diary blow. The address will follow.

Cal State Fullerton Comeback

What a comback for CSF!

Top of the ninth, 2 out, man of first, base hit and an intentional walk to load the bases. Three ending up scoring and CSF defeats Georgia Tech in an elimination game at the College World Series in Omaha.

If you ever get a chance to go to Omaha for baseball, do it. The atmosphere is fantastic. It's the only place I've ever seen cheerleaders for baseball.

I was able to go from 1973-1976 when I was stationed there while in the Air Force. At that time, it wasn't such a big deal. This was before ESPN and the games weren't even televised. I used to get free tickets at the looking convenience stores for free. It was the same with the Omaha Royals KC's AAA team. I never had to pay for a ticket because they were free at the convenience stores.

I visited Rosenblatt stadium a couple of years ago. It was absolutely fantastic. The stadium has been remodeled remodeled and there are some really interesting baseball statues outside.

Stop by if you ever get a chance, even if it's not baseball season.

Favorite Baseball Memory

In 1977 I went to my first MLB game. It was between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees.

That year the Yankess were stockpiled with talent. What a surprise.

During the Yankee batting practice all of the high priced talent was standing around, not working up a sweat. In foul territory, in front of the dugout, Yogi Berra was hitting sharp grownders to three "no name" infielders. Yogi would toss up the ball, take a swing and hit the ball. At the same time, his pants would slip a little and he'd grab his pants and give them a good jerk upwards. Then he would catch the toss from the infielder who had caught the ball and go through the whole process again.

Yogi looked like he was having so much fun! Yogi looked like a little boy playing baseball on "The Hill" in St. Louis.

Of all the people on the field Yogi looked like the only one who was having fun. Only Yogi remembered that baseball was a game.

We could use more people like Yogi in the game today.

Baseball Announcers

I've been watching a lot of baseball the last three years.

Two years ago I bought the On Demand Baseball package through my cable carrier, Comcast and started watching a lot of games, especially National League games.

This year I bought the package through ESPN that allows me to watch and listen to games on my computer while I work. Since I spend a good deal of time on my computer, this is ideal.

However,

I have learned that there are a lot of TV baseball announcers that are really bad. They are still announcing the way they have always announced, that is for the home crowd. That was okay when they were just broadcasting to the local fans, but it's no longer the way to broadcast.

Come on guys, you are now announcing to the world. Give us some background, talk about the players as if you are talking to people who haven't been fans of the team for years.

Oh, and it might be a good idea if you talk about the game once and a while.

Jump on the Bondwagon

In one of my other blogs, I wrote a piece after Barry Bonds passed Babe Ruth into second place for the most homerunes. I thought you might enjoy it.


A Baby Boomer's Common Sense Guide to the Universe et. al.: Bonds versus Ruth-Who Acted Illegally?

Check back soon. I'm going to explore the "Beergate" issue and report back to my readers.

Infield fly rule

The infield fly rule needs to be changed!

I'm not a big fan of changing baseball rules, but one rule that does need to be changed is the infield fly rule.

I've been a baseball fan since 1960 and have never seen the infield fly rule do anything except: the batter is out and runners stay at the base they currently occupy.

Boring Baseball Rule Alert!

Here's the rule: An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.
When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare “Infield Fly, if Fair.”
The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.

The part I don't like is in bold above. I think it should be changed to allow runners to try and advance as soon as the infield fly is called. That would add some excitement to the game instead of just having the runners stay at their base which is what happens now. I wouldn't change any other part of the rule, the batter is still out, I'd just allow the runners to, well, run.

Imagine the excitement of a bases loaded, bottom of the ninth game with less than two outs where an infield fly allows the runner to streak toward home while an infielder tries to catch the ball and throw it home in time for the tag.

Wouldn't that be better than just calling the batter out, watching the runners stay on base and waiting for another batter to come to the plate?

BTW, here's a link to the official rules on the Major League Baseball Website