Discussion
Just took advantage of an offer and added ESPN to my Sky service. As a result I've been watching a bit of baseball.
So far the games I have watched have been dull as ditchwater and the guys just don't stop spitting!
I think I would enjoy it if
a) the hit the bloody ball more often
b) they stopped gobbing on the floor!
Should I stick with it for a bit longer? The 'Little League' world series I caught a bit of was more exciting.
And did I imagine that Ian Botham went to the US of A to play a bit of baseball.
So far the games I have watched have been dull as ditchwater and the guys just don't stop spitting!
I think I would enjoy it if
a) the hit the bloody ball more often
b) they stopped gobbing on the floor!
Should I stick with it for a bit longer? The 'Little League' world series I caught a bit of was more exciting.
And did I imagine that Ian Botham went to the US of A to play a bit of baseball.
Just watch the highlight shows if you're not interested in the full thing - I find they're good sports to have on in the background while I work as there's little chance of missing anything, given it's mainly lots of nothing punctuated by the some brief bits of action. The odd time you catch a really good game makes it worthwhile I guess.
If you have no-one to explain the game (not the rules, the game) to you, try these from Amazon:
Baseball Fan's Companion: How to Watch the Game Like an Expert [Paperback] Nick Bakalar (Author)
Watching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-Experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks [Paperback] Zack Hample (Author)
Baseball Fan's Companion: How to Watch the Game Like an Expert [Paperback] Nick Bakalar (Author)
Watching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-Experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks [Paperback] Zack Hample (Author)
Stick with it, started following it for the first time when I moved to Toronto about 4 years ago ( Our team the Blue Jays and CRAP ) but as has been said many little nuances much like a cricke match. some of the better games can be compared to a mix of 50 over and test match cricket. And sitting in the stadium can be lotsa fun indeed
silverthorn2151 said:
Did I dream that Ian Botham went to the USA and played baseball? In fact, I'm off to Google that.
He had dreams, mostly concocted by his flamboyant manager at the time, of being a designated hitter. He didn't make anything of it. I thought at the time that it was a publicity stunt.Been watching baseball since 2004 when I went to see the White Sox, loved it even though I really didn't understand it well, but I spent a lot of time in a bar in Chicago that 2 week holiday as they had games on all afternoon and without the imersion, and chatting to locals about what was happening I don't think I'd watch it as much as I do. Subscribed to NASN (as was) getting a game a night at 6pm, and on mlb.com.
Now with mlbtv on the PS3, and subscribing I can watch any game, anytime. I generally watch a game a week, not always the team I support
OP, I agree that some games are dull, but stick with it, sometimes it can be tactical (sacrifice plays etc) and doesn't need full on concentration for the duration. And, if you're in the US during the summer, i'd suggest going to a game and taking in the atmosphere
Now with mlbtv on the PS3, and subscribing I can watch any game, anytime. I generally watch a game a week, not always the team I support
OP, I agree that some games are dull, but stick with it, sometimes it can be tactical (sacrifice plays etc) and doesn't need full on concentration for the duration. And, if you're in the US during the summer, i'd suggest going to a game and taking in the atmosphere
spikeyhead said:
It's a bit like cricket, you either need to really understand the intricacies of the game or watch it drunk
This really.I spent a winter as a groundsman for at the LA Dodgers winter training ground, so got to understand it, but have forgotten it all now. All of the US sports programmes and magazines will be awash with stats about baseball, it's the sort of game that lends itself to stats ans you just can't argue with them.
It is quite good once you understand it.
Blib said:
Terrific game, baseball. It has as many, if not more subtle nuances as cricket. OP stick iwth it, watch ESPN America's "Baseball Tonight" and the other magazine programmesand if you're a sports lover, I'm sure that you'll fall in love with the game.
I'd have to agree. Watched it occasionally during the Channel 5 era, but never got hooked. However, I accidentally turned ESPN America on 2 years ago, and Baseball Tonight was on, loved it, fantastic, informative, entertaining. Came home from work the next day to watch the re-run of Roy Halliday's no hitter v the Reds in the NLDS. Did some research, bought the Zac Hample book, and also the Ed Smith book comparing Baseball and cricket - there are a lot of little similarities. Really, if you like one, you should have a feeling for the other. The number of stats is mind boggling, and even puts cricket to shame. In fact, I reckon cricket could learn from some of their stats, especially the fielding/ errors. Which is quite ironic, as the Baseball stats were derived from cricket, see Henry Chadwick.
Took a long time to choose a team though; liked both the Rangers and the Phillies. However, beginning of this season, I decided on the Reds - and we're doing pretty well, 3 games from the Post season, I think.
If you enjoy reading about baseball, I heartily recommend 'Ball Four' by Jim Bouton. A terrific account of the life of a journeyman pitcher. Bouton caused such a stir at the time that the book was first published in the 70s that many in the game shunned him.
It's hard to come by. But, you can sometimes find a second hand copy on e-Bay/Amazon.
There are many wonderful baseball books. The game's literature matches the depth and insight of that written about cricket.
It's hard to come by. But, you can sometimes find a second hand copy on e-Bay/Amazon.
There are many wonderful baseball books. The game's literature matches the depth and insight of that written about cricket.
I've been a baseball, and specifically NY Yankees fan, all my life. The trick is understanding the game, but that's like anything else. I will say that the last couple of regular season games in 2011 were nothing short of heart stopping.
In some ways it's a lot like Chess, there's substantial strategy involved.. Like when the Yankees, who had clinched, we're basically blowing the last series of the year to the Rays.
Well it kept Boston out of the post season, didn't it
In some ways it's a lot like Chess, there's substantial strategy involved.. Like when the Yankees, who had clinched, we're basically blowing the last series of the year to the Rays.
Well it kept Boston out of the post season, didn't it
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