Baseball

It's always bothered me that surprisingly few people truly enjoy and appreciate the game that is supposed to be "America's Pastime." Personally, I love the game more than any other sport... watching it on TV, watching it live, playing it, playing fantasy baseball, base-ically (ha-ha) anything to do with it. Though I'm sure a lot of people are baseball fans, I would definitely guess that more people nowadays prefer to watch football or basketball, as I always hear the word "boring" used incessantly in association with the game.

Sure, on the surface, baseball seems to be a lot slower than the other sports. Players take timeout in between every pitch or whenever they feel like it. Bulky hitters like Mark McGwire dominating the highlights suggest that most players share a similar physique (or aspire to achieve one like his). Games typically last 3 hours long, but could easily surpass 4 depending on the circumstances, and they play almost every day for a whole summer. Compare that to 2 1/2 hrs for an NBA game (or 2 for NCAA), or NFL's one game a week schedule, and I guess it's somewhat understandable that people get tired of watching baseball.

Those who think speed is not a major factor in baseball, however, are greatly mistaken. I think a good argument could be made that baseball is the most speed-dominated game out there of the 4 major sports, including hockey. For starters, consider that the typical Major League pitcher throws at least a 90 mph fastball. That means that the ball travels from the pitchers hand to the plate in well under a second. Thus, in that fraction of a second, the hitter has to pick up the location of the ball, try to guess what kind of pitch it is, decide to swing, and hit the ball accordingly. That's no easy task, let me just tell you that it's hard enough to play catch with my friend who claims (and I believe him) to throw in the 60's speed-wise.

Speed in the form of a player's ability to run is also a huge factor in baseball. When a fielder has great acceleration, it can make the difference between an out and a triple. When a hitter is extremely fast out of the batters box, (Ichiro is a good example) it forces the defense to hurry, increasing the likelihood of errors as well as adding a dimension to a hitter's On-Base Percentage in the form of infield hits. Being fast out of the box can also save outs by avoiding the back end of double plays. When a baserunner is a threat to steal, it limits the pitcher's effectiveness by forcing him to shorten his delivery, while also making him more apt to throw fastballs rather than off-speed pitches in order to make it easier to prevent a stolen base.

Sure, when it comes to continuous play, baseball is no match for other sports. But to me, there are so many reasons I could list on why its such a great game. There's so many things to consider in every situation, and even after years of watching the sport, I'm still learning more subtleties of the game, because it is by far the most complicated of the major sports.

The human aspect is also much more prominent in baseball, and that is probably the single best thing I like about the game that separates it from the others. Every pitch and every play involves the call of an umpire. Every umpire has his own style and his own strike zone. Every manager is faced with many decisions throughout the game and the way he handles them usually determines the outcome of the game, making him much more important than a coach in basketball or football. To bunt, or not to bunt? Leave the starter in, or take him out for a lefty? Play the infield back with less than 2 outs, or concede the run for an out? Not only this, but there are many unwritten rules within the game that everyone is supposed to play by. Don't steal a base when your team has a big lead. Don't time pitches in the on-deck circle. Don't show up the pitcher after hitting a home run, especially if you're a rookie. Break one of these rules, and you can expect to get a fastball thrown at you or at one of your teammates. Throw at someone who doesn't like it, and risk him charging the mound and the benches clearing for a brawl.

I could go on and on about all the great things about baseball, little and small, that have made me a die-hard fan. But, my blog entries are getting long and boring, and I risk losing the attention of those who actually read it.

Thoughts On Looking Young

For as long as I can remember, my appearance has always made people think that I am younger than I am. In an earlier blog I already told the story about the Sox game and how the guy wasn't gonna give me a beach towel, but there are a million other stories I could tell like that one. It's not uncommon for people to mistake my little sister as being older than me. No matter where I am, or what it is, I get asked for ID. Last Spring Break when I went to Vegas, I got carded at every table; at one point I was even carded twice at the same table, when both pit bosses working the area spotted little babyfaced joe at different times (no lie, you can ask the people I went with).

Just today, when I ordered a Bud Light at TGI Fridays during dinner, the waitress (who probably wasn't old enough to drive herself) didn't ask me for ID at first. Me and Olivia looked at each other right away and were both shocked that for once, and maybe one time only, somebody actually looked at me and thought, "He looks old enough, I don't need to check this guy." Of course, that didn't last long cause she ended up asking me for my license anyways when she came back, before handing me the bottle.

Earlier this week, I went with my dad to a store to buy some computer stuff, and since he forgot to bring his wallet, I had to pay wiith my credit card. I can't say for sure if this is because I look young, but the cashier asked to see ID before authorizing my card and signature. I wouldn't be surprised though.

One of the worst ones was sometime this past semester when I went to see a rated R movie. The ticket guy asked me for my ID but not my friend who was with me (who I'm pretty sure was younger than me). Now, at the time, my license was being held as bond for my traffic ticket so I could've been screwed. Oh, but lady luck smiled upon me that night as my friend did have his ID and was able to show that he was 21 and over. Thus, he was an adult and I could watch the movie because I was accompanied by an adult. How awesome! Not only does the guy not think I am 17 and over (I was 22 for those of you keeping count at home), but the only reason I was let in is because I was accompanied by an adult - who is actually a friend that is younger than me and much less mature, I should add.

I can even remember not too long ago, when I was probably 14 or 15, and my parents would still pass me off at Old Country Buffet as a child (12 and under). I was really short back then and didn't really hit my growth spurt till about sophomore or jr year of high school when most people get it around junior high, no later. No girls ever paid attention to me because they like the older-looking guys and that wasn't me (and still isn't... I'm lucky enough to have found a girl who doesn't care).

So, what's funny to everyone else is pretty much an ongoing annoyance and minor insults for me. A lot of people think it's not so bad, plus I know in 10 or 15 years I will be happy I look younger than my peers. But there are times I really think that looking older would be so much better. You know, I wouldn't even be surprised if sometimes I walk into a job interview, and the interviewer takes one look and thinks "we can't hire this guy... no one's gonna respect or listen to a guy that looks like he's in high school." Not that I would blame them, cause can you imagine entrusting an important engineering job to a high schooler, or someone who looks no older than one?

I think what it comes down to is respect... people naturally respect those who look older. Even if I am much more intelligent and mature than someone, they are more likely to command attention or respect if their appearance suggests that they are older. Not the way I'd like it to be, but nothing I can do about it, right? It's just something I will have to live with... what do you all think, should I tape my drivers license to my forehead from now on?