Rosy Glow – Opening Day Musings 2015

By

Andrew DeMarco

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball… I stare out the window and wait for spring.”    – Rogers Hornsby

I am staring out the window and it sure doesn’t look like spring, so maybe I should pray for spring instead. However, opening day is just around the corner and it is that time of year again when hope springs eternal for major league baseball. It is also that time of year, for what I hope will become a Rosy Glow tradition, my opening day musings. Last year at this time I railed about how change, whether we like it or not is inevitable. I went on about Jeter’s retirement, instant replay and other changes that I found inevitable, and annoying. This year I think I will take the opposite stance on how things should not change. It should also be noted here that at one time I was a fan of the designated hitter, but have come to see the error of my ways and have come to live with it.  I now see how without the DH adds to the strategy and gamesmanship that were originally intended for the game.

The big issue that baseball executives seem to be concerned with is the pace of the game and how they can speed it up. Many believe that the game is too slow and it is hurting attendance. Why then is attendance just a bit off from all-time highs?  Here’s a thought! Maybe it’s the price of a ticket and cost of a beer and hotdog that is hurting attendance. I wonder if any of these so called baseball experts asked any of the fans how they felt. Those who feel that the game should be sped up are those that feel the world is a fast paced place and would probably be on their smart phones and miss most of the game anyway.

Before I really get into my rant, let’s think of a few things. Why do we go to the ballpark?  Most of us who enjoy the game go to escape. It is a time where we can relax with family and friends, have a few beers and enjoy the game we love, no matter what the cost. So what’s the rush?  Some would do the same by spending 4 to 5 hours on a golf course and they don’t seem to complain, probably because they are away from their wives. (Just kidding ladies.) We also know that baseball is the only team sport where there is no clock, some might want to include doubles tennis in here, and some of those matches go on forever.  Perhaps we are just meant to relax at a game. Do you know why a football game is 60 minutes?  It is because no one wants to sit out in the cold longer than that, unless you’re a Packer or Bears fan and it is just inbred.  In reality when was the last time a football game ended before its allotted TV time?  Here’s another question why in the world is a soccer game 90 minutes?  Talk about a slow pace and watching paint dry, the good thing is that it is running time. (Sorry, I know I just offended all those soccer fans out there.)

We all know that there have been suggestions on how to speed up the game, from automatic intentional walks, limiting the number of throws over to first when a runner is on and timing pitchers. Well here is my take on these suggestions, they are all nonsense. They all in some way eliminate the strategy and mind games that give baseball its psychological element. For instance if a runner knows a pitcher can only throw over three times, you think he might be going after that. In most cases it is not the pitcher who slows down the game it is the batter. Even the revered Derek Jeter was a huge procrastinator when he was at bat. If you ask most pitchers I am sure they would tell you they are ready to go except a batter is either adjusting his batting glove or jock and constantly tapping his spikes clean. Are these really going to make a difference? If you really want to speed up the game cut down on commercials between innings but then I am sure the television networks would complain.

What really got my ire was when I read an article where the Bridgeport Bluefish and the Long Island Ducks two independent A teams in the Atlantic League are experimenting to speed up play by using “Slow-pitch softball rules” for balls and strikes. This would mean 3 balls and 2 strikes and if you foul a ball off you’re out. I know this was an unaffiliated A League but just the thought that they were thinking of doing this is insane. Why not take it a step further. Growing up in The Bronx we played softball on black-top so let’s do that too.

Here are my final thoughts for those of you who feel that the game needs to be sped up. Baseball has been around a long time and it has survived many scandals and even a war or two. There is the old saying if it isn’t broken don’t fix it and speeding up the game really won’t fix anything.

So if you are lucky enough to be at the ballpark just sit back and enjoy the game, the day and the people you are with. Just think it has to be better than being at work or doing your chores around the house. If you are not enjoying the game you could always leave and do those chores. It is amazing that we gripe yet survive most of the fall and winter staring out that window waiting impatiently for that first pitch of spring, yet when the games begin we can’t seem to sit long enough to appreciate it. Any way you look at it being at the ballpark should always give you that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that …..Rosy Glow!

PLAY BALL!

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Happy Easter and Passover to all!