Heres to You Mr High School Baseball Watcher!

quote:

Originally posted by Marklaker:
PROUD VET GUY....stands so ramrod straight during the National Anthem he could crack walnuts between his cheeks. Stares transfixed at Old Glory and won't break his communion until at least two full seconds after the last note. Known to cast a withering glare at anyone who fails to remove their cover or talks above a whisper.

Disclaimer: I'm a retired vet and a pretty good fit for this caricature.

I wish more people were like this. Not removing your hat and covering your heart is unacceptable. Talking is unnecessary as well. There is very little to say that can not wait 5 minutes. This is a big pet peeve of mine.

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:

quote:

Originally posted by Marklaker:
PROUD VET GUY....stands so ramrod straight during the National Anthem he could crack walnuts between his cheeks. Stares transfixed at Old Glory and won't break his communion until at least two full seconds after the last note. Known to cast a withering glare at anyone who fails to remove their cover or talks above a whisper.

Disclaimer: I'm a retired vet and a pretty good fit for this caricature.

I wish more people were like this. Not removing your hat and covering your heart is unacceptable. Talking is unnecessary as well. There is very little to say that can not wait 5 minutes. This is a big pet peeve of mine.

this is a fun thread..thanks for the laughs

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
As a Back of the Bleachers guy...it's becasue I sit on my butt all day so coming to the ballfield and sitting on the wooden bleachers for another couple of hours isn't in the cards. It's been a very long time since anyone thought I was cool... including me. Just ask my kids!

I am with you on that one, ESPECIALLY. my kids thinking I am cool

quote:

Originally posted by chefmike7777:

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
As a Back of the Bleachers guy...it's becasue I sit on my butt all day so coming to the ballfield and sitting on the wooden bleachers for another couple of hours isn't in the cards. It's been a very long time since anyone thought I was cool... including me. Just ask my kids!

I am with you on that one, ESPECIALLY. my kids thinking I am cool

Okay I'll admit it..my quote about the bleachers was aimed at several people I know. Trust me...their backs aren't tired.

I feel your pain literally. My Dad calls me weekly ..always mentions something hurts, then always throws it in..."So how you feeling as you're getting older..that ankle still hurt?"

Gee Thanks Dad..I almost forgot about that.

Actually I normally stand up the entire game. Normally I have to move several times. I made the mistake of explaining a play, and the rule that accompanied it..ONE TIME......And the rest of the season I got approached with questions. I'll never make that mistake again.

Ahhh, Rules guy. In my experiance there are two main flavors:

1) Actually know them and can explain the Infield fly and the reason it exists.

2) Doesn't know anything and will give you the it "can't be an infield fly because it was on the grass" stuff.

I can spend a whole game with the first guy and it seems to go by in a flash and two batters with the second guy makes me want to set my hair (what's left of it) on fire.

Great thread...sometimes, it gets a little serious here...and we all can appreciate a thread like this one!

Went through 11 pages and did not see Talent Guy. You know the guy breaking down each batters swing, pitchers mechanics, fielding, base running or lack of. Pretty much omnipresent at any baseball venue.

Mr. Grill Crew guy.

Six guys set up an assembly line to do a job that any one of them could do by himself. One guy pries the frozen patties apart and peels off the wax paper. Mr. Chief Cook mans the spatula, but briefly steps aside after placing the meat on the grill in deference to Mr. Revered Bearer of the Secret Seasoning Shaker Can. Mr. Bread Man lays out the bottom buns on the assembly table and deals out the top buns as the burgers are served. Mr. Wrapper Man can usually cover more than 90% of each burger with his hastily wadded foil sheets. And Mr. Just-In-Time Long Haul Logistics Man carries the burgers to the snack bar for sale to the general public.

When Mr. Flask Smuggler Guy infiltrates the crew, the size of the crew can double.

Don't think anyone has mentioned this guy - Sign Stealer Guy. We had a dad that would stand to the side of the backstop and try to pick up the other team's signs. Eventually he would figure them out, and try to signal to our batters what pitch was coming.

Mr Father Knows Best?

Years ago when I coached travel ball, there was a Dad (on another team) who would tell his switch hitting son which side of the plate to hit from. The kid was a pretty good hitter, but I always got a kick out of watching/listening to his father tell him to bat righty or lefty based upon the pitching match up. On occassion he would tell the boy to bat from the same side as the pitcher which made no sense. I'm hoping the father broke out of this habit.

BTW....I've re-read these posts in anticipation of the upcoming college and high school season. There are some absolute beauties in here. By far, it is my favorite thread.

Great stuff hear! Just getting started in school ball so I can't wait to meet a few more of these folks. Unfortunately I have seen quite a few of them and admittedly at a time or two have been one of these guys-I especially like the Grill crew.

I have scanned through most of this thread and can't believe I can not find Mr Scoreboard watcher guy. If this has been mentioned-I apologize and would love to find it.

This is the guy who is faster than the speed of light when it comes to the scoreboard. The scoreboard operator has got to be somewhat of a clairvoyant in order to stay ahead of this guy. He is pointing out balls and strikes before the ump can take a breath.
GOD help the scorekeeper if he does not put up a run the minute it crossed the plate. Even worse if you make an error you might have a riot on your hands. Unless of course the error is in his teams favor then you don't hear a peep.

The newest species is Mr. Smart Phone. He is in constant contact with friends at the school's JV game and at other games involving teams in your district, and he provides updates as if he were the crawl that is always running under the game on ESPN.

Related to Flask Smuggler is the Special Flavor Gatorade Guy. He takes an empty Gatorade bottle and dumps a couple of beers in there and then takes it out to the field.

quote:

MidloDad said....The newest species is Mr. Smart Phone. He is in constant contact with friends at the school's JV game and at other games involving teams in your district, and he provides updates as if he were the crawl that is always running under the game on ESPN.

I've seen Mr Smart Phone use his communications device for more nefarious purposes at college games. College students use Smartphones to heckle opponents or get info about their personal lives from their college profile or Facebook. Last year, one school in particular made fun of my son's teammates father as an ambulance chaser. Not cool!

Hard to recognize without a pair of binoculars:

Mr. So Nervous When My Son Pitches That I Have to View The Game From 100 Yards Down the Right Field Line Guy.

Makes you wonder whether he's spectator or a sniper.

As Groucho Marx once said, "Hey, I resemble that remark!"

Hey slotty, that's my wife you’re talking about... and it is Mrs., but you wouldn’t know because she is 100 yds away. Mrs. Nervous makes me turn into Mr. Smart Phone... having to give Mrs. Nervous the play by play and the count, because she is so far away she can’t see or hear any of the game.

Any parents manage to make it to try outs?

why would you want to be at hs tryouts?

I think they have enough pressure on them without the embarrasment of having a Parent standing there watching. Although there were a couple at my Son's tryout last year

quote:

Although there were a couple at my Son's tryout last year

How did you know?

quote:

How did you know?

My Son told me. One of the Parents is the Mother of one of his travel Team Teamates. She was at all 5 tryout days. The other guy he didn't know & the kid didn't make the team. Like I said, Pretty embarrasing for the kid.

quote:

Originally posted by AntzDad:
Any parents manage to make it to try outs?

Nah, my kid's no longer a freshman

Hey, have we already talked about Mr. Weatherman? The guy that uses his SmartPhone to tell you when a cloud is going to roll overhead?

quote:

CBMDad said.....She was at all 5 tryout days.

Was there enough room on the baseball field for her to park her helicopter?

Please add to the list "Official Team Apparel Guy". This is the guy that has to have the same hat, jacket, pullover and logo'd mock turtleneck that only the players wear. This guy usually moonlights as Mechanical Flaw Fixer/Analyst guy and will drop baseball jargon as a qualifier to see if those around him REALLY know baseball like he does.

A typical conversation goes like this.

Me: "Just got here, what did my kid do in his 1st AB?"
OTA GUY: "Hadda lil duck snort to right"
Me: "duck snort??"
OTA GUY: "got sawed off"
Me: "So he got out?"
OTA Guy: "probably should have been but it had eyes"
Me: Oh! he got a hit....sweet!

quote:

Originally posted by AntzDad:
Any parents manage to make it to try outs?

Our coaches make it clear in the parents' meeting before tryouts: No parents allowed at tryouts.

Although I'm sure there are some who hang out in the parking lot and try to watch.

quote:

Originally posted by AntzDad:
Any parents manage to make it to try outs?

I had to pick my kid up one of days and consciously found a parking space at the far end of the lot. I did manage to spot a couple of dad's at the fence though. I'm going to assume they got there just a couple of minutes before I did.

quote:

Originally posted by VaRHPmom:

quote:

Originally posted by AntzDad:
Any parents manage to make it to try outs?

Our coaches make it clear in the parents' meeting before tryouts: No parents allowed at tryouts.

Although I'm sure there are some who hang out in the parking lot and try to watch.

Same here. Not only are parents not allowed at tryouts, the coach doesn't allow them to "view" practice during the season.

At the HS, viewing from the parking lot was not all that great anyway. From the closest edge of the parking lot to the field is a good 600-700 yards and the 1st base dugout blocks a good portion of the field. Yeah, you can sort of see what's going on but unless you have binoculars it's difficult to see the details.

And since the school is building a new football stadium (long story), there is now a huge mound of dirt blocking view of the BB field from the parking lot.

It's one thing to sit and wait for 5-10 minutes waiting for the player to finish practice (assuming he didn't or couldn't drive for whatever reason) and another to sit and watch the entire practice/tryout.

I can rent satellite time, if you want to watch tryouts from home on your big screen. $600 per hour. call me.

I may have posted this before, but it is possibly one of the funniest things I've ever heard of.

One of my neighbors actually set up a deer hunting stand in the trees adjacent to the field to watch high school JV tryouts. He was in full camo to boot. You just can't make stuff like this up! I still get a chuckle out of it 8 years later.

quote:

Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
I may have posted this before, but it is possibly one of the funniest things I've ever heard of.

One of my neighbors actually set up a deer hunting stand in the trees adjacent to the field to watch high school JV tryouts. He was in full camo to boot. You just can't make stuff like this up! I still get a chuckle out of it 8 years later.

fenway, that's an all-timer.

Been LMAO reading this and must chime in as I have a new "watcher" to add.
What about, what I like to call, 3rd,4th, and sometimes 5th Daddies who hang out just out of earshot next to the dugout. Now that my kid is in Pony and also on a professionally coached Travel team I have spotted this new species. They can be identified as the ones who always coached and are used to calling the shots but now find themselves outside the current power structure and now sadly hover like moths to a flame just outside the dugout trying to ingratiate themselves, I guess, to the new coaching staff. They seem unwilling, nay, unable to take their seats in the stands with the rest of the parents.

quote:

Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
I may have posted this before, but it is possibly one of the funniest things I've ever heard of.

One of my neighbors actually set up a deer hunting stand in the trees adjacent to the field to watch high school JV tryouts. He was in full camo to boot. You just can't make stuff like this up! I still get a chuckle out of it 8 years later.

Man, wish we had woods near our HS field....sounds like a great set-up....a lil hunting while watching some baseball

Just re-read the thread and people outside my office can't figure out why I break out in little giggles.

We have a pretty relaxed set of parents for our HS team. Since I am guilty of a few of these, I am going to see how many characters I can be in one given night.....I believe I'll have to start as the flask smuggler!

I have one from long ago (Little League in Vegas). The "Heat Bringer". This was the person who brought the portable propane heater to set in front of the bleachers on those cold Vegas evenings in the early Spring. (Okay, it was in the 60's. But that is cold for Vegas!)

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I've just read this thread (tome?) for the first time. Few things cause me to laugh out loud at the computer; but, this one was the exception...over and over and over!

My compliments to so many of you who contributed such accurate and hilarious "reports" on diamond dwellers we've all seen (and been!) at this wonderful past-time of ours.

As I read through, I thought of another "guy." He's related to "Scorebook Lady" and "Stats Guy," but he's moved his "game" into another realm electronically. I'll call him "Mr. Smartphone Scorekeeper Guy."

If you arrive late, don't go up and ask him for a summary of what's taken place unless the latest half inning has just concluded. He needs some prep time to pull up 3 or 4 summary screens to give you a proper report. If he had to do this during an inning, he'd risk missing a "4-6-3" or something; and that would really upset him.

Similarly, don't talk to him within 15 minutes of the first pitch. That's his period to make certain that he's got all of the opposing team's players' names spelled correctly and their numbers correctly associated with their names. It's also when he's to be found at the scorer's table, badgering the official scorer for the just-submitted lineups. If the official scorer has told him to go fly a kite, he'll turn his badgering in the direction of one of each team's assistant coaches to get the lineup.

He never really watches the game; at least not in the way that those of us less technologically adept fans do. He's way too preoccupied with the various jabs and pokes it takes to accurately memorialize the latest play or event on the field. If you see that he's frustrated as he jabs and pokes, it's a sure sign that he's poked when he should have jabbed and is working mightily to straighten things out.

Engaged in conversation, "Mr. Smartphone Scorekeeper Guy" will give you the rundown on all available scorekeeping apps in the Marketplace, their pros and cons, and their relative battery drain. Stepping away from baseball for a moment, he's also good for an expert opinion on which is better, iPhone or Droid.

So, keep at it fellow Baseball Sideline Observer Guys and Gals! It's threads like this one that bind us together...and that's a very good thing!

Prepster
You just reminded me of a Dad on my Son's travel team last year. we went to the Triple Crown Nationals in Myrtle Beach. We picked up an outfielder a couple of weeks before the trip. I didnt know his Dad at all. After winning game one he commented on how we should start pitching backwards to set ourselves up in the playoff round. I questioned this strategy & reminded him we only won the first game & had at least 3 more before the playoff rounds. He then handed me his smartphone that had an Excel Spreadsheet that made the Pythagorean Theorem look like instructions for Tic Tac Toe. There must have been 20 different scenarios. I laughed & said let's just try to win game two. Incidently, we lost game two & completely ruined his spreadsheets. Back to the drawing board he went.

quote:

Originally posted by YesReally:
When my father - a no-nonsense former college baseball player - began watching his grandchildren play baseball - one of his first comments - said with a combination of incredulousness and sarcasm - was "I have never seen so much positive reinforcement in all my life!"

Still my favorite post from this thread. True Classic!!

I hate to admit it, but I am Mr. Smartphone (or in my case, iPad) Scorekeeper Guy.

Started doing it last year, and wow, everything said about this guy is true.

Yep, I bug the team scorekeepers for lineups. Yep, I cannot be bothered during the first inning while I make sure I have the opposing teams numbers and positions (I don't care about their names). And yep, I do a lot of poking and jabbing, especially when I make that entry mistake and have to go back and correct half the inning. I hate trying to hold an umbrella and keep up with my role at the same time.

But I do a tremendous service for "Mr. Gotta Know the Strke to Ball Ratio Guy", and for "Mr. What Did This Guy Do Last At Bat Guy".

This is a great thread, and I look forward to seeing all of you characters at the ball park.

Prepster, that was hilarious. I tried to be that guy last summer and I was so frustrated by the jibbing and the jabbing and not knowing if someone is going to bat 9 or 12 or change their minds halfway I just gave up!
I guess that makes me mr. Frustrated scorekeeper guy who only wishes he knew the ball strike ratio.

The Ferris Bueller baseball fan. Because sometimes life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop to look, you might miss it.

It is 60+ degrees with not a cloud in the sky for a mid-week game. It is the the first week of college baseball, but you didn't get to see a live weekend game because your kid's college team doesn't start until March. You're travelling on business, but you time it just right between meetings and conference calls that you get to catch a college baseball game on the way to the hotel. Hey batter, batter, batter....swing batter!

PS....Big bonus if it goes into extra innings!

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. C:
how about the mom/ dad that is the "gatorade fetcher right now because water is just not good enough for my kid" ? You know who you are.

"NOT YELLOW!!! I WANTED ORANGE!!!"

HURRY UP!!

Know what I don't understand? A lot of times when I'm in the dugout and someones parent or sister brings them gatorade, they just take it and give whoever delivered their drink the cold shoulder. Am I the only one who isn't too good for a thankyou?

Also if it hasn't been added, may I add the Vendor who always has extra seeds or peanuts to give to then hungry athletes?? He is usually a team favorite for players.

I have been enjoying this thread, and putting names and faces to all these on the various teams we have been on through the years. I came up with a new one yesterday, though. The FIELD FINDER. You know, you have the address of the school, you plug it into the GPS, and when you arrive, there are no fields to be seen. You drive around in circles, through bus parking lots, ignoring the do not enter signs, while your co-pilot looks up and out the window, head kinda hanging out like a dog, looking for the light poles, surely that is where the field is! Joke was on us, the baseball field at this school didn't have lights. As freshman parents, I am sure this will not be our last adventure! So happy it is time to play ball!

FIELD FINDER- Good one, pink lady!

Way back in LL Districts, one field was hidden behind Adult World. It was a crazy intersection. Everyone messed up.

"The easiest way is to cut through Adult World" didn't go over well with some parents.

And, of course, the kids all were asking, "Mom, Dad, what's Adult World?"

quote:

Originally posted by pink lady:
I have been enjoying this thread, and putting names and faces to all these on the various teams we have been on through the years. I came up with a new one yesterday, though. The FIELD FINDER. You know, you have the address of the school, you plug it into the GPS, and when you arrive, there are no fields to be seen. You drive around in circles, through bus parking lots, ignoring the do not enter signs, while your co-pilot looks up and out the window, head kinda hanging out like a dog, looking for the light poles, surely that is where the field is! Joke was on us, the baseball field at this school didn't have lights. As freshman parents, I am sure this will not be our last adventure! So happy it is time to play ball!

In my experience you're the field finder APPRRENTICE. In a few years you will become the field finder MASTER. The parent(s) of the older player on the team who knows the exact location of every single field on the schedule. You can give detailed directions to any field and usually without being asked.

Mr Field Finder reminded me of Mr. I Got Here Quicker Than You.

He always begins by asking you how long it took to get there.

I graduated to FIELD FINDER master level during showcase ball the last couple of years. Finding fields at college campuses is not the easiest.

Trick for both colleges and high schools is to switch Google to "Satellite" view. Then look near the address for anything resembling a baseball field. Only problem can be the all dirt infield which resembles a softball field. In some cases, I went to street view to figure out how the turns worked.

By last Summer, I had maps, directions (to and from field), and addresses (for GPS which I don't totally trust) for each game. All of this went into my weekend folder which included a listing of game times, hotel reservations, and info on local places to eat.

Sad thing is, I work in Information Technology but I just can't get away from paper. Don't really trust having "bars" in all locations.

I did that for a game at Eastern Mennonite University last June. I ended up all alone at the field for the high school that abuts the university!

I may be able to locate more highschool fields in Atlanta metro area than I can in the Richmond metro area. Must be a name for that....

Here's a beauty, Louisburg College in NC, reportedly the oldest Jr. College in the nation. We had a late game scheduled there in a Dynamic Showcase tournament last fall. The tournament centered around Cary, NC and we had to drive an hour to this field in the dark. When we arrived it looked like an ant hill swarming the campus with baseball families in their cars. Nobody knew where to go in this little town. It can't be that hard to find a lighted field. With each passing minute the stress increased inside the car for fear of being late and possibly losing playing time. We finally found the queen ant who led us through parking lots, back streets and a gravel road to find the field. I think the entire team in fact beat the coach to the field. I will not soon forget the fun night under blankets drinking hot chocolate while enjoying the game and forgetting how our GPS was worthless.

quote:

Originally posted by YesReally:
I may be able to locate more highschool fields in Atlanta metro area than I can in the Richmond metro area. Must be a name for that....

That name would be "Veteran of many PG tournament campaigns"!

I may have an original. Cant be sure as I may have missed it somewhere. The "runners going" dad. This is for all you catcher dads. I should know as my son is one and I used to do it until during a game, my son sarcastically says to me after he throws the baserunner out. Gee, thanks Dad, I'd have missed that one. Anyway, great thread, laughed my back side off.

Related to twooutdouble's guy. . .

The "got him" or "he's there" guy depending on whether his team is on offense or defense.
On defense he's the guy that screams "GOT HIM!" in an effort to assist the umpire on any close tag play such as a steal or pick off move.
And of course if his team is at bat he would assist by yelling "He's There" on any close play such as the above. He can be contagious recruiting several other guys especially in a close game.

This one reminded me of the 'pick off' dads also who yell 'baaaackkkk' for the baserunner....can't deny that I'm one of those on occasion, not trying to tell them what to do, it just comes out !

quote:

Originally posted by YesReally:
I may be able to locate more highschool fields in Atlanta metro area than I can in the Richmond metro area. Must be a name for that....

I feel ya. My 2nd trip will be this Summer, likely twice this year.

Last year I scouted the HS fields the day before so I could give EASY directions to my parents. I had several parents who tended to get there late when they weren't sure where they were going.

First one we come to my kid says "That's their HIGH SCHOOL FIELD???" Turns out it was the softball field. The baseball field was even nicer.

After looking at that field my kid pipes up "Hey Dad, can you get a job near here?" LOL

quote:

Originally posted by latazaea:
This one reminded me of the 'pick off' dads also who yell 'baaaackkkk' for the baserunner....can't deny that I'm one of those on occasion, not trying to tell them what to do, it just comes out !

haha, I yelled out "back" at a game last week. I looked around sheepishly and told everyone "where did that come from"?

I sat next to a catcher's father the other day in a scrimmage.....did not matter if his son was behind the dish or not....on every pass ball or wild pitch he was yelling "feet...feet" or "backstop....backstop" trying to direct the catcher to the ball as the runner was moving from base to base.

finnaly read the whole thread, this is awesome! I've been just about all of these and probably will continue to be at some point.

The UMPIRE CHORUS….zealous band of performers who dedicate a part of every game to serenading the arbiters at key junctures of the contest. They have limited range and there’s not much variation in their material, but it’s a prolific repertoire and they perform it with great gusto. They typically open with Are You Kidding Me, Blue, often followed by You’re Garbage, Blue, It Goes Both Ways, Blue, and What Are They Paying You, Blue. When truly inspired the troupe will accompany the umpires to the parking lot at the conclusion of the game and culminate the evening with an encore presentation of You Missed A Good Game, Blue as the hapless victims retreat to the safety of their vehicles.

quote:

Originally posted by duck80:
...on every pass ball or wild pitch he was yelling "feet...feet" or "backstop....backstop"

I had to check your location to make sure it wasn't me you were talking about. Whew!

Definitely a catcher dad thing. That and "Up!" Doesn't matter who's behind the plate, I'm equally *helpful* to all.

quote:

Originally posted by Marklaker:
The UMPIRE CHORUS….zealous band of performers who dedicate a part of every game to serenading the arbiters at key junctures of the contest. They have limited range and there’s not much variation in their material, but it’s a prolific repertoire and they perform it with great gusto. They typically open with Are You Kidding Me, Blue, often followed by You’re Garbage, Blue, It Goes Both Ways, Blue, and What Are They Paying You, Blue. When truly inspired the troupe will accompany the umpires to the parking lot at the conclusion of the game and culminate the evening with an encore presentation of You Missed A Good Game, Blue as the hapless victims retreat to the safety of their vehicles.

Yes this nefarious Blue Man Group of killjoys will be responsible for thousands of losses all throughout the land. Noone will consider the 300 pitches or 39+ outs recording over 2 1/2 hours as being any factor in the outcome. Only that banger at first base in the sixth inning decided the game.

Heres to you "Mr Scrimmage Breaker Downer"

You have successfully broken down the pros and cons of every team, player, and coach in your district based off a 10 inning game on a wet field that featured the combined top 25 pitchers on both teams and line ups that batted 22 hitters.

Scouting reports will be posted online (including video...premium users only) by end of day.

In the immortal words of Allen Iverson... "Are we talking about practice?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uoQ7kKgx4o

Rich
www.playinschool.com

At various times I have been about 5 of these. Yikes.

This year my goal is to be "Ms. Pleasant to Be Around and Quietly Supportive Mother". Wish me luck.

and always in the park...

"watch the ball hit the bat" chorus group with the second verse of the "swing level", and followed with "you'll get them next time", then back to the first verse.

I'm always thinking, "physically impossible to do", "level to what"? and "probably not, this is a game of failure", and smile real big, because these are nice people, and I enjoy being around them, and I don't want them to know I'm not perfect and have them make up a name for me now too. :]

Well, we are two games into the season, and I have already been the following guys:

Mr. iPad Scorekeeper Guy
Mr. Home Run Ball Chaser Guy (I make my younger son do the running)
Mr. "UUUUP" Guy on those popups.
Both Mr. "He's There" Guy and Mr. "Got 'im" Guy
And of course, Mr. Umpire QC Guy; to the point my son (playing) and wife, who is now Mrs. Sit in the OutField Gal, had to tell me to calm down.

So 6 HS Baseball Watcher entities in one week.
Wow. I'm so proud and ashamed at the same time.

Honest, hilarious, and (gulp) familiar!

What a great thread!

What about "Captain Obvious" Dad. The one who yells to the pitcher after two walks "Just throw strikes" or to the batter "Just put it in play" or to the defense with two outs "Get the easy out." And then there is my favorite: "A walk is as good as a hit!"

While I will admit to being many of these guys, I have instructed my wife to ban me from attending games if I ever utter one of these phrases!

Somebody should make a HS baseball bingo card. As long as we are poking fun at our self's I think it would be ok....then you could add one more, The Watcher, the guy that says nothing but yells bingo every now and then.

quote:

Somebody should make a HS baseball bingo card.

Kinda like the Wall mart one.

That is a GREAT IDEA - I'll play!

I would love it. The card would be hilarious.

I love this thread.

Two games into the season and I’ve heard quite a few. It’s like watching birds if you see something different you want to get the book out and see what it is.

I sat by the “Just a guy” the last two games..... “Just under it”, “just outside”, “just inside”, “just a little high”...... it’s after every pitch. Drove me nuts the 1st game so 2nd game I sat on other side of bleachers and after the 1st pitch I heard to my left “Just under it” on a foul pop up and there he was. Too late I was stuck there. Tonight I will be more aware of my surroundings. ( Strange coincidence: Just a guy’s wife wasn’t at the 2nd game?, maybe she’d like to sit with me.)

While I grant you “Just A Guy” does have his moments, I consider him much higher on the food chain then “Now You’re Ready Guy”.

It’s the sixth inning, the kid’s third AB facing the same pitcher and he’s just taken a FB dead center, belt high to fall behind 1-2. Right on cue “Now You’re Ready Guy” spews his pablum in earnest. Immediately “That’s Ok, Get ‘em Next Time Lady” nods her head in vigorous affirmation and gets ready for her own feelgood moment.

quote:

Originally posted by mmm1531:
It’s like watching birds if you see something different you want to get the book out and see what it is.

How did you know?


My Son told me. One of the Parents is the Mother of one of his travel Team Teamates. She was at all 5 tryout days. The other guy he didn't know & the kid didn't make the team. Like I said, Pretty embarrasing for the kid

Here's an update, Crazy Mom did same thing this year. Cuts were posted the next morning & Son was cut. Mom showed up at practice that day anyway & ripped the Coach a new one!! Son is still cut.

Saw Mr. The Same, Remember, Look Like Guy this weekend.

Ump; "Balk!"
Mr SRLL: "Balk? "Ain't that the same ump that we had two weeks ago?"
Parent: "Naw, that's not him."
Mr SRLL: "Yeah, you remember called that same balk in the third inning on Ronnie, remember?"
Coach overhearing:"That's not him"
Mr SRLL:"Mmph, look like him"

Could be the same hitter that.., the same coach that...

quote:

Originally posted by Retriever Dad:
Well, we are two games into the season, and I have already been the following guys:

Mr. iPad Scorekeeper Guy
Mr. Home Run Ball Chaser Guy (I make my younger son do the running)
Mr. "UUUUP" Guy on those popups.
Both Mr. "He's There" Guy and Mr. "Got 'im" Guy
And of course, Mr. Umpire QC Guy; to the point my son (playing) and wife, who is now Mrs. Sit in the OutField Gal, had to tell me to calm down.

So 6 HS Baseball Watcher entities in one week.
Wow. I'm so proud and ashamed at the same time.

I teared up from laughing so hard.

Hail to the "Grill Keepers" they come early to fire up the grill for not only burgers and dawgs but sausage with grilled peppers and onions, chicken legs, chicken breasts, even steak on occasion. They always make sure there's enough for players and coaches after the game. A "Grill Keeper" Dad whose son already graduated makes trays of his famous mac & cheese. Our high school is known for it's great food thanks to these guys. Wanna guess where all the "We Like It Standin' Genius Club members are standin, you got it!

Kudos also to the "Team Photographer" with the big lens who never gets to sit and enjoy watching her kid play because to raise money for the baseball team she presells a cd to parents who at the end of the season have some awesome action shots of their son. Love, love, love this thread!

Not sure if this guy has made an appearance on this post yet but I've seen a few "I don't want to stand next to THAT guy guys." I've had more than one text asking me if so and so is there and where they are sitting so as to be sure he doesn't have to listen to them comment.

Except now I've become the "Hope he doesn't come over and bend my ear while I am the ipad scoring guy guy"

We all know (and sometimes are) Mr. Umpire QC Guy.
But now, a new breed, or viral strain, or mutation has emerged from Umpire QC Guy.

Allow me to introduce Mr. Umpire Stalker Guy.

This guy plans his escape route at the end of the game to match up to where he believes the umpires will be exiting. If he guesses wrong, he stampedes past the exiting crowd to at least make it over to where the umpires have parked.

Upon encountering the umpires that he believes performed the worst game calling of their lives, Mr. Umpire Stalker Guy.... Stares them down. In most cases, no words are exchanged (thank goodness), just that cold, hard, disdainful stare, that is intended to say "Bad job, guys!"

Thankfully, the umpires ignore Mr. Umpire Stalker, and probably don't even notice him, as they are eager to change out of their uniforms and get on with their real lives.

I was the "I Don't Want to Stand Next to That Guy" gal yesterday. Mr. I Know How To Coach Better Than Anyone Else just wouldn't give it a rest. Every little thing seemed to warrant his commentary.

I couldn't find this guy so I apologize if he's a duplicate. .

Has anyone seen the Mr Fan Instigator Guy?

This is the guy who knows all the rules (or so he thinks). Once there is an obscure play involving a rarely used rule (interference or something of the sort) he begins to scold the umpires rambling on about how the umpire needs a rule book and can't make that call.

He slowly builds momentum throughout his side of the bleachers recruiting others by sharing his wealth of knowledge of the rule book. The fans, who were so wrongly "cheated" continue to hang on tho this one call as the game goes on. God held us all if Mr Fan Instigator Guy's team looses because as the fans slowly depart you can still hear them mumbling about how the umpire stole the game from them on the one call.

I think they are a cousin of the aforementioned Mr Umpire QC Guy or Umpire Stalker Guy.

I wanted to pull this back up. One of my favorite baseball memories was a couple of years ago. Our Regional starts on Memorial Day and my son was playing in the 7PM game that started about an hour late. The way the team lined up for the National anthem the outfielders stood shoulder to shoulder in centerfield. I was standing on the 3rd base side and there was an oversized flag blowing in the breeze in Right Center that looked like it was right on top of their heads. My son starting in the OF and the sky was twilight with purple, red, yellow and orange streaks with that breeze blowing the flag. My grandfather died in WWII and Memorial Day has always had a special importance to me as a result. I had an amazing rush of feelings of sadness, pride and joy about his sacrifice that allowed my son to have the opportunity to stand for the anthem that night. I will never forget that rendition.

So put me down as a National Anthem guy!

Mr "My Son is 14 and We Have it All Figured Out".

I sat next to this dude at a fall game recently. I didn't bust his chops, just let him prattle on.

I hope I wasn't like that, but I'm not confident that I wasn't over confident.

The one I hate the most is Mr I Never Do or Say Anything Stupid Guy. Darn you!

My We Have It All Figured Out Guy was kinda funny. Telling me how their son plays travel ball, blah blah blah. Poor dumb sucker! You don't know squat. He was so far off, I just smiled.

Here's one thing I know. Come next year, when my son begins playing college ball, I won't know squat again. At least this time I know that I don't know nuttin.

The guy who hasn't played, but has learned how to teach skills through a book.

Practical experience is immeasurably more valuable than learning from a book.

quote:

Originally posted by Low Finish:
The guy who hasn't played, but has learned how to teach skills through a book.

Practical experience is immeasurably more valuable than learning from a book.

Hold on, I remember reading some where .......

quote:

twotex said...Here's one thing I know. Come next year, when my son begins playing college ball, I won't know squat again. At least this time I know that I don't know nuttin.

twotex,

But, you are smart enough to know what you know AND know what you don't know. "We Have It All Figured Out Guy" will never know what you know, ya know!

 this is a great thread

Haven't read the whole thread yet but I thought of one:  Always Wears Coaching Apparel-guy.  You know him.  He hasn't coached since PONY Mustangs or LL Minors, but he always wears Mizuno turf shoes (usually black), track pants, underarmor everything, a fleece hitting pullover, and a cap.  Walks real slow and deliberate with is head down like he's contemplating the great questions as he walks (in his mind) to the mound to change pitchers.

 

This one made me laugh out loud:

 

Mr. Get a huge lead off guy goes to quite a few high school games.
He will yell, 'get off' or 'c'mon you can get way more than that' especially when his kid is on. If anyone gets picked off, 'what's the first base coach doing???"

 

Yeah, the guy that wears the coaching attire makes me laugh. 

Here's to you "Good Pitch" guy.

On a Hot, Humid, Texas Summer day of 16U baseball, one of our Dad's yelled this out, and we all agreed it was a good pitch. When the inning was over the Umpire walked over to our stands and said" Just because it's a good pitch. Don't mean its a strike".

 

Here's one from our High School team. I'll call this guy the team's MVD {Most Valuable Dad}.  MVD's boy is a good kid, smart, popular and well mannered, but he is also big and slow and about as athletic as a sack of sand. He can't keep up with the rest of the team on anything where running or conditioning is involved.  MVD guy does everything he can to make himself an indespensible part of the program.  MVD guy hopes the coach will value him so much that he'll keep the boy on the team. You can usually find MVD guy in the coaches ear, pitching his latest idea to help the team, benefit the program or improve the facilities.

 

You won't find MVD guy standing behind homeplate with the rest of us guys in the genius club. MVD guy can't watch the games. He's too busy repainting the back side of the visitors dugout, or changing lightbulbs on the scoreboard, or gluing down carpet in the coaches office.  MVD guy will send us all an e-mail that says..."I need help repairing the concession roof before tomorow's game. Any volunteers?"   When nobody volunteers, we have to tolerate his sawing,

hammering and drilling throughout the entire game.

 

  

How about Mr Umpire Guy?  My son and I are ECU Pirate fans, but don't like going to their games because the fans are horrible to the umpires (does anyone really think yelling at the ump ever helps?)

 

Anyway, at an early spring game this year, we were sitting about half way down the third base line when the 'gentleman' in front of us started giving the ump the business.  His best line - "C'mon Blue, that was on the black!" - from over 200 feet away.

 

Geez.

 

 

Guilty of a few of the above.

 

How about a sub group of some of the above (Coach Apparel, Booster Club, etc):

We call it the "Dad's Club".

Membership varies, though some with sons who graduated are still active members.

They attend every winter indoor practice, etc. (only dads there)

and approve every move the coaches make as genius, rather vocally.

Before and after the games:

The time in the 5th inning up 7-1 when you had Jimmy steal? Great strategy.

 

The benefits to their sons vary within this group.

Some have kids going 5-2, etc. in the scorebook

while others do not have a good ROI (return on investment).

 

 

Wow, this thread is hilarious! 

 

I'd like to expand on "Captain Obvious" parent to include any at bat where the sage advice of "GOOD EYE!  WAY TO WATCH THAT BALL!!!!" is bellowed as the catcher attempts to retrieve the ball that sailed well over 7 feet in height above home-plate!

 

Hate to see a "bad eye" on that one!

Thanks for resurrecting this thread, one of the best here and perfect timing for the start of the season.  

I'll admit i'm a bit too lazy to go thru all the previous posts but i have a good friend that is Mr. Balk. He argues calls too and gives the Umps a hard time, but i just flat out enjoy it. 

 

I have fun running the scoreboard. Staying neutral. And playing music between innings.

My Dad is 84 and he and my Mom are regulars at HS and league ball games.  They always sit behind the backstop and are very quiet and polite.  After a particularly horrible out call when the catcher dropped the ball during a tag on the go ahead run the home plate umpire ran toward third incase there was a play as the catcher searched everywhere to find the ball.  The screams from coaches and fans trying to gain the umpires attention reached a fever pitch and since no play ensued at third eventually the umpire returned to home as the catcher now with the ball in his hand tossed it back to the pitcher.  The coaches asked to talk and after a few minutes of explaining to the umpire the Umpire signaled out again.  The stands erupted as my father sat calmly not saying a word.  As play began to resumed the umpire had finally had his fill and turned to the stands and pointed a finger at everyone saying "I have heard enough" to which my Dad calmly replied..."You may have heard enough but you saw far too little"  In 84 years it was the first time my Dad was ever tossed from a sporting event.  He and my 86 year old mother calmly gathered their belongings and began the walk to the car to the cheers of both home and visiting fans. 

That is a GREAT story! Thanks very much for sharing it!

 

I can't recall when I've laughed as hard at something I've read on one of these threads.

How about 'Mr. Namedropper' My son played with (enter big leaguer name here)'s son last summer.  My son had a lesson today with (big league player).  I was talking to (college head coach) about my son at the game last weekend.  We got invited to a camp at (bring your $600 university) next weekend. 

Mr. "Dad" who's kid throws 90 but can't hit the broad side of a barn. "Damn ump wont give him anything today!! or "he called that one for the other team".

Mr. Life’s A Party Guy.   Likes baseball only in that it provides him with a public venue to indulge his love for the spirits. Parks behind the outfield fence with his essentials:  cooler stocked with cut-rate beer, pint of rot-gut, Big Gulp cup, and a truck bed or car trunk for cover.  A social imbiber, he’s forever trying to get your attention to come join him.  Has a kid on the team, but has no idea how he’s doing and likely can’t recognize him after the sixth inning.  Handy guy to know for those early season contests when the wind chill makes you question the sanity of February baseball.

"Mr. Life’s A Party Guy" -- a/k/a "my life's a disaster" guy.

Mr. I Practice Neurosurgery With Only My Voice, and OH BTW, I know EVERYTHING About the Game.

 

Has a high tenor voice so loud that you can hear it from miles away.  When seated behind you, it's so penetrating that he can bore holes through your skull.

 

This guy is actually the father of a player on my kid's basketball team. After our last game and another full night of "Help!  Watch the shooter!  Nobody else can hurt you!  Illegal screen!  You got to double team him!  Collapse from the weak side!  Get that goddang rebound!  Second chance baskets are killing you!  That's ball! That ain't no foul!"  His kid's a pretty good player, but I'm glad he's a senior and I'm almost done listening to dad.  And I'm REALLY glad that the kid doesn't play baseball!

The individual this caricature is modeled after is a probation officer.  Go figure....

Now that they have shoveled the HS cage and temps broke 40 (fingers croseed),

would like to add the person who "throws pre-season BP & tries to strike kids out"

His name is Seymour Yung but he prefers "Cy" He was the 9th string varsity pitcher 25 years ago that topped out in the low 70's and but he can still heat it up to the mid 50's even after all these years.  Put him in a cage at 30 feet and his 111 mph fastball is his bread and butter out pitch!!!  He will announce his presence with authority....Fear him!!!

Just now starting to read some of these thread posts.  Very entertaining, and even more so, sadly too accurate.   How about the "Dad" that always complains about the coaches decision making, only to watch the team win, game after game after game.   On small ball methods in some cases....which takes great coaching to properly time and execute.

 

Keep em coming....these are hilarious.

MDBallDAD, almost spit out my coffee, thank you for the laugh.

 

Going to add to this one...what's worse is the former college pitcher with a blown out elbow turned HS coach who throws BP for the sole purpose of humiliating a 9th grader

Just met Mr. "this team never plays defense when my kid pitches!" this past weekend.

 

Then his kid gets pulled and promptly makes an error at his new position....in the same inning....with his runners still on base....so the runs are still his.

Love this thread and I read it yearly to try to help with my goal of "well-behaved, cheer equally for all kids" bleacher mom .  

 

Just realized a couple of our fans won't be back this year.  Can we have a moment of silence (and an Amen) for the loss of "That F--- Freshman shouldn't be here", happy to let everyone, including coaching staff, fans and even the AD, know exactly what he thinks of underclassmen.  He almost turned me into "biting the lip until it bleeds then finally snaps and whacks a dude with her purse" last year.  Also gone is "heckler grandpa" shouting to the umps, and sometimes other teams, just about every pitch.  Now if we can keep the "spunky grandmas" in line, we're gonna have some fun in the stands this year!

I was at son's former HS teams scrimmage the other evening. I meet "Mom with a cowbell though she doesn't really know when to ring it". Glad she wasn't there last year. I would have become "Man who was arrested for clacking cowbell on a woman's head"

I love this guy! He would text me all the time after games telling me that I posted the stats wrong. We would always get a good laugh from them. 

Bob, I bet his son was always on the WRONG end of the stats according to you  

Well of course Its funny to me... I just let them talk the more they do they funnier they get. 

I am now "Keep My Own Book" Dad. I also keep pitch count, but seriously wonder what kind of book someone would keep that would require a separate pitch counter. Now that my son is in HS and I don't coach, this gives me something to do and keeps me from going crazy. Oh, yeah, I often hand the book to the wife and I become "Long lens camera" Dad and "Dad who has his own radar gun." So, I'm - you know - multi-facted.

Had a great experience last night with a few parents that would fit this description. In an absolute blow out in the cold and wind parents would not leave watching the non starters play because we all remembered what it was like when our boys got live at bats only in a blow out.

Local annoying guy who seeks you out to ask every Q under the sun about the team, while your son is at the plate. You do respect this guy because he is there to support his local team but you are torn between 7 innings of endless Q's and finding a new place to squat and enjoy the game.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of these characters at my sons tournament last weekend. My son always played in a different league and teams, so this is our first experience with the parents of his teammates. I'm not sure if these people have been listed above, but here are some new characters I met.

Screamer mom - she screams at the top of her lungs whenever her child gets a hit. And I'm not talking about a "wohoo, good job Johnny"! I'm talking about ear piercing, pee your pants startling screaming at the top of your lungs that lasts until said batter stops at 2nd base. This mom acknowledges the behavior is annoying, but assures us we will get used to it. Um, no, I will never get used to that one.

Mr. I've got a comment about every pitch, including warm up pitches - this guy has something to say about every. Single. Pitch. Most of the time, they are loudly blurted negative comments to kids he doesn't even know. Things like "come on now", "don't over pitch", "just pound the zone" and my new favorite "one and done!" He just can't resist throwing in his two cents and showing everyone how much he doesn't know.

Mr/Ms I've had enough - this is the parent that lets loose on the two types of parents above after his/her nerves are so badly frayed from the experience. Sadly, that parent was me last weekend. When Mr. Comment about every pitch was loudly offering advice to my child during pre-inning warm-ups, I lost it. We were two games into the tournament and parents and players were all quietly whispering about this guy. I feel bad for losing it on the guy, but I don't feel bad about the sentiment. One of our own fans shouldn't be getting into the heads of our own pitchers.

That was my intro to our high school baseball experience.

All great, new & old posts:

 

Like to add "Captain OverHype":

run a travel team that has a few very good players, however they heavily publicize the slightest thing any of their players does, you now just about expect to see a post on the backup 3b or whoever pinch-running to burn up twitter & local bulletin boards,

it is a running joke in the county

(for anyone not on the Captain's teams),

 

Love this thread! Haha we have a Captain OH too. Cringey! what about the dad from above, "this team doesn't play defense when my son is pitching" actually yelling at every bomb hit " Not your fault!"

JAM3, that's how we pitchers parents think! . Must have been the coach who called that pitches fault! My son throws all his pitches perfectly LOL

Mr. "My kid is used to faster pitching".

 

In the midst of what would be his 3rd K of the game the dad was reminding him he's used to seeing faster pitching "when he plays travel" and to get his timing right. I estimated the pitcher was throwing high 70s to a 15 yr old.

Well of course Good hitters are the ones that can't adjust. They just hit 90+ fastballs all day no more no less

Re Mr Faster Pitching

This fellow visits here as well. You'd hope a player would adjust after 2 at-bats.

 

Son said last two nights after HS Scrimmages he hasn't seen as low as 60-70 mph in a while, knew enough to just stay back and hit it over 2nd base to CF.

 

This guy has a 'cousin': Mr. My Kid is a Beast 

(Roars when his kid feasts on the slow pitchers

although is noticeably silent when he just waves at 80 mph+ pitches) 

That guy must be my mailman.

 

I have learned to wear a set of headsets. Even if nothing is playing, people will assume you are so they will ignore you.  Key is, no matter what, don't respond to the first or second comment. Make them touch your arm to get your attention.  Works like a charm!!!

Update: Mr. annoying guy who seeks you out to ask you every Q under the sun especially when son is at the plate. Son had an away game, he struck again. Thought I was safe but here he comes; bottom 7 and we are down by 3, son up with 2 on base. "when is the next home game, I can't find the schedule anywhere...................................................................................."

Here is to Mr. I am going to walk up to the fence and block everyone who has been watching the game's view. Oh by the way he brought his softball daughter in tow for good measure. Together dad I want to be in the coaches ear during the game and  daughter furiously pounding away on her smart phone blocked the batter,catcher, and umpire perfectly. Sorry for that, I just had to let it out. I've also been forced into the role of Mr. Consoling dad . Listening to parent next to me whose son is getting screwed for playing time.

 

So I have one:

 

The ground ball to the pitcher "HUSTLE!" mom.  She screams it as if the flat footed doughboy has any chance. 

 

       
       
Love this one!  These guys are everywhere!

I did a quick search and was surprised not to find this one.

 

Billy pulls a (rare) hard line drive right at the LFer. L7.

 

"Nice hit, Billy!"

 

Ok, sometimes this is me. It's the supportive Mom coming out in me, even if it isn't my kid. I can be tough and hard on the kids, but I also have my soft side. I want each kid to take something away from the game that helps them later in life. If hustling on a slow roller teaches them to never give up on something, then I am all for it. So, I'm guilty of this one.

I think all of us are guilty of any one of these at one time or another. I know I have been. But thats part of what makes this thread so fun. 

You should never be ashamed of who and what you are.  If you are then it is time to make some changes.

 

I like to think of myself as: 

 

Senor Pontificator - The most interesting baseball fan alive.  Stay thirsty my friends!

 

Got stuck next to a guy who was complaining his kid, a Junior, was not playing or pitching.  When there was a pitching change and again his kid did not go in he started up,  ...."and who was this skinny, weak armed lefty sophmore on the mound?"  "I mean look at this kid.  He can't be more than 14.  His mechanics are all screwy and he can't be throwing harder than 75 or 76....geez. Im so sick of this coach playing favorites.  My boy is sitting 86 and he is on the bench!! Such a stupid SOB this coach.....which kid is yours?"  Me: "My son is the scrawny young weak armed kid on the mound.  You know, the one playing."  Him: "You should have said something." Me: "No need.  I am here to support the whole team....even the flame throwers on the bench."

The reality is, his kid did have some skills as a fielder, but, he was carrying a D average, got suspended for fighting and was topping out about 75 or so on the  mound.  

We all struggle to keep out perspective with our own kids sometimes, but, the level of delusion with some is amazing.  

By the time my kid was a Junior I had changed how I "cheered" at games.  I just usually stood down either base line, kind of by myself.  I got away from the endless chatter and complaining.  The coaches generally sucked, the high school team sucked, the program sucked ect....it was all true, but, I got tired of hearing it.  I would clap for a nice play on either side.  I would not cheer louder really if my kid got a hit, I expected him to get a single.  A little flair over the SS head for a single....its not a 500 foot HR off of a great pitcher.  

This past weekend we have scrimmage for the HS fall ball season. The coach is actually pretty good, he is missing 4 returning starters due to football, he is missing a couple Jr's who are going to compete for starting spots due to travel commitments, he has about 6 upper classmen and the rest are sophomores he is giving look at for the day. The other team appears to be in a similar spot.

 

Father of sophomore catcher goes off on a rant about how excited his he is for his son to be getting his first varsity appearance...even takes a pic and posts it on facebook. Somewhere along the way he says to me "there is a big difference in talent on the field, I would have guessed it to be closer" I just looked at him and said yea but you are going to have that when you combine kids that are going to be Varsity and JV. He gave me this very confused look so I just kind of wondered away and let him chew on it for a bit. I am pretty sure he never figured it out!!

Hi everyone.  I've been lurking on here as a guest for some time now.  Finally signed up and having a go with my first post.

 

i read the whole thread here.  Good stuff.  

 

I didn't see anyone mention "Mr. superstitious guy"

 

This is is the guy that insists on weaing the same shirt, pants, hat, socks etc. to every game lest he anger the baseball Gods...no matter how dingy or grungy.  Mr. Superstitious guy usually attempts to bring other parents (and occasionally even coaches and players) into this quickly spiraling-out-of-control situation.  He seeks out dad A to always sit or stand to to his right and dad B to the left.  The pre-game ritual is as planned out as pro wrestling match, and the 7th inning stretch is an Army General's dream of precision.  Again, all to appease the baseball Gods (always in the plural, as opposed to singular).

 

And this is why I love this game.  in the end it's really all about the people, regardless if the people are players, coaches, or just really superstitious fans.

No, this is demonstrably untrue.  I don't ask anyone to join me in wearing bright, team-color boxers.  In fact, nobody else even knows that's my game day gear.

 

... up to now, that is.  Welcome to the board.