There’s the windup…there’s the pitch…
Wait!
Continue reading “Baseball 101, Part 2, Defense; Part 2, Pitching”
Baseball 101, Interlude 2: randomness
Nicknames
Baseball used to have the best nicknames for its players! The “Say Hey Kid” (Willie Mays), the “Sultan of Swat” (Babe Ruth), “Joltin’ Joe” (Joe DiMaggio), the “Splendid Splinter” (Ted Williams). There are still a few (Dustin Pedroia is the Laser Show), but nowadays, the default is: first-letter-of-first-name-and-first-syllable-of-last-name: A-rod for Alex Rodriguez, etc. Booooring! 1 Let’s see a return to real nicknames!
Baseball 101, Part 2, Defense: Part 1, Fielding
The job of the fielders is to get the ball and return it to wherever it will do the most good. Usually this means, wherever there is an offense player that can be “put out” with the ball. Simple in concept, difficult in execution.
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Baseball 101, Part 1, Offense; Part 2, Baserunning
Basics
The key to understanding baserunning is to remember the rule about the clock in baseball: namely, that there isn’t one! Except for when a ball leaves the field of play (for example, into the grandstands in foul territory), or the brief intervals of time-out when a player or umpire so desires, there is no official break in the game. What this implies is that baserunners are fair game to be tagged out at any time that they are not safely on a base. So they have to be on their toes! It also means that they can run to the next base (assuming it is unoccupied) at any time, so the defenders (mostly the infielders and the pitcher, here) need to be on their toes as well.
Runner and fielder giving full attention to the pitcher, who has the ball.
Continue reading “Baseball 101, Part 1, Offense; Part 2, Baserunning”
Baseball 101: Interlude #1: Who’s on First?
Baseball 101, Part 2: Offense, part 1: Batting
“Hit it where they ain’t” – Willie Keeler
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Baseball 101
America’s Pastime
Well, OK, football too. But it’s baseball season, about 40 games in (1/4 of season), and there is no better way to while away a summer afternoon or evening. So for those who would like a somewhat deeper understanding of the game, here is a short series that will enhance your enjoyment.
Units
This post will be a review of measurement units, specifically metric or “SI” (International System) units: how they are defined, how they are combined to make other measurements, and how they are used. 1 Sounds pretty damn dry, yes? Not so! We will have some fun with this, toward the end. But first…
Religion, Atheism, and Morality
About 42% of Americans believe that it is necessary to believe in a God in order to be moral. 1 This number is down from 49% in 2011. Atheists are the least-trusted group (stratified by belief) in America, less trusted than Muslims, Jews, or Christians. There is not now, and has never been, an openly atheist member of Congress. In fact, to admit to not being a church-goer is a kiss of death in American politics.
Perihelion Day, January 3, 2018…the longest day of the year!
Perihelion Day
The Earth’s orbit is an ellipse, not a circle; the distance to the sun is 91,401,983 miles at perihelion, which occurs this January 3 (well, 10:35 PM on the 2nd, in Mountain time zone), and 94,507,803 miles at aphelion, which occurs early July. 1 Everybody knows this. So what is this nonsense about January 3rd being the longest day of the year? Isn’t that the Summer Solstice, June 21st?
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