I'm not knocking the Pet Peeve thread as I've contributed to it myself. However, in an effort to have a more positive discussion, I ask you this question...
What do you love about baseball?
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For example, I love the numbers of the game:
60'6"
90'
3
9
2131/2632
755/762*
4256
1406
511
5714
108
60'6"
90'
3
9
2131/2632
755/762*
4256
1406
511
5714
108
This is a great question. Its so simple I wish I had thought of it. However what I love about the game of baseball.
Playing under the lights.
The smell of freshly applied pine tar to a bat
The sound of a baseball hit squarely off the bat
The effectiveness of a well thrown change up.
The gracefulness of a well turned double play.
Watching my sons baseball skills/knowledge grow with each passing game.
Being a proud father.
Playing under the lights.
The smell of freshly applied pine tar to a bat
The sound of a baseball hit squarely off the bat
The effectiveness of a well thrown change up.
The gracefulness of a well turned double play.
Watching my sons baseball skills/knowledge grow with each passing game.
Being a proud father.
Making new friends on every team.
The sound of cleats on cement as a team walks to a dugout
the pop of the mit from a crisp fastball
winning
knowing that baseball isnt over after high school
the ono on one time spent with my son, invaluable.
the pop of the mit from a crisp fastball
winning
knowing that baseball isnt over after high school
the ono on one time spent with my son, invaluable.
Excellent posting idea BiggerPapi!
What do you love about baseball?
1) Son's First homerun
2) First High School Varsity Uniform/First College uniform
3) College baseball schedule published for upcoming season
4) MLB Hot Stove League
5) MLB Spring Training
5) Filling out a lineup card
6) Teaching a new baseball skill to youth
7) Doubleheaders
8) Joe Castiglione (Red Sox radio broadcaster...the best at his craft)
9) Aggressive baserunning and hit & run execution
10) Sound of wood hitting leather
11) Scorekeeping
12) Knuckleball
What do you love about baseball?
1) Son's First homerun
2) First High School Varsity Uniform/First College uniform
3) College baseball schedule published for upcoming season
4) MLB Hot Stove League
5) MLB Spring Training
5) Filling out a lineup card
6) Teaching a new baseball skill to youth
7) Doubleheaders
8) Joe Castiglione (Red Sox radio broadcaster...the best at his craft)
9) Aggressive baserunning and hit & run execution
10) Sound of wood hitting leather
11) Scorekeeping
12) Knuckleball
1. Teaching the fundamentals of the game.
2. The strategy
3. Seeing a team execute just as you taught them to.
4. When a kid finally "gets it" when you are teaching them something.
5. Enjoying the reward of winning, because you played well, because you put the hard work in to prepare for that success.
6. The Atlanta Braves
7. The field
8. The dugout
9. The crack of the bat
There is just too much to list. It's a great game.
2. The strategy
3. Seeing a team execute just as you taught them to.
4. When a kid finally "gets it" when you are teaching them something.
5. Enjoying the reward of winning, because you played well, because you put the hard work in to prepare for that success.
6. The Atlanta Braves
7. The field
8. The dugout
9. The crack of the bat
There is just too much to list. It's a great game.
the History of this great game. It is what sets it apart from every other sport. I love it.
The comradery
Getting kids to achieve something that they did not believe they could do.
The rest is just icing on the cake.....and it is an incredible cake!!!
Getting kids to achieve something that they did not believe they could do.
The rest is just icing on the cake.....and it is an incredible cake!!!
This applies mostly to youth baseball but when that kid that has struggled all year gets that first hit and is standing on first with that huge grin. That is my favorite part of baseball.
1.Almost without exception at virtually every level. When the batter k's and he looks back at the pitcher while he's walking to the dugout
2. The sound of a broken bat.
3. When a hitter screws himself into the ground on an off speed pitch.
2. The sound of a broken bat.
3. When a hitter screws himself into the ground on an off speed pitch.
No time limit
No ties
Winning is always possible, even if you're the home team down 10 runs with two outs in the bottom of the 9th.
Walk-off home runs and hits
Game-ending strike outs with bases loaded
No ties
Winning is always possible, even if you're the home team down 10 runs with two outs in the bottom of the 9th.
Walk-off home runs and hits
Game-ending strike outs with bases loaded
The post game conversation between father/son and coach/players where you can feel the passion in the voice and see it in their eyes.
There is no finer event in the world than that of a team warming for the first time in the spring; their new pearls popping in mitts that have been brought out after being stored away for the winter. Combine this with the cool air of spring, the smell of freshly mowed grass, damp and deep green from the winter rains and you have Heaven. IMHO.
-The smell of the leather glove.
-The dust kicked up on a slide.
-Seeing a kid work hard in practice to be in position to make a great play, and then watching him make that great play in a game.
-Watching the pitcher perfectly hit the mitt to K a batter looking.
-Opening a bag of seeds for the first time in the spring.
-Looking into a group of 16-18 year old's eyes after they worked hard in practice, they are breathing heavy, covered in dust,smiling, and loving it!
This is making Spring feel very far away!
-The dust kicked up on a slide.
-Seeing a kid work hard in practice to be in position to make a great play, and then watching him make that great play in a game.
-Watching the pitcher perfectly hit the mitt to K a batter looking.
-Opening a bag of seeds for the first time in the spring.
-Looking into a group of 16-18 year old's eyes after they worked hard in practice, they are breathing heavy, covered in dust,smiling, and loving it!
This is making Spring feel very far away!
- Going to the store together to buy your sons first “real” glove.
- Watching a kid step up in a big situation… and deliver
- A walk off base hit celebration (as long as it’s not against my kids)
- The time spent with family and friends while out on the tournament/showcase circuit
- The buzz in the stands in the late innings while a no hitter/perfect game is in the works… the anticipation of witnessing something special is exhilarating.
- Pickup games from my youth that last until you couldn't’t see the ball anymore
- Sitting on the front porch as a kid with my dad listening to Marty Brenneman and Joe Nuxhall call the Reds games.
- Taking my kids to their first major league game
- Our dinner table conversations about anything baseball… as my daughter would roll her eyes as if to say… get a life.
- Growing up in the Cincinnati area during “The Big Red Machine” era.
EDIT: Sorry I just realized my list probably consist of more memories than anything else so I guess I need to add... One of the things I like the most about baseball is the memories associated with the game.
- Watching a kid step up in a big situation… and deliver
- A walk off base hit celebration (as long as it’s not against my kids)
- The time spent with family and friends while out on the tournament/showcase circuit
- The buzz in the stands in the late innings while a no hitter/perfect game is in the works… the anticipation of witnessing something special is exhilarating.
- Pickup games from my youth that last until you couldn't’t see the ball anymore
- Sitting on the front porch as a kid with my dad listening to Marty Brenneman and Joe Nuxhall call the Reds games.
- Taking my kids to their first major league game
- Our dinner table conversations about anything baseball… as my daughter would roll her eyes as if to say… get a life.
- Growing up in the Cincinnati area during “The Big Red Machine” era.
EDIT: Sorry I just realized my list probably consist of more memories than anything else so I guess I need to add... One of the things I like the most about baseball is the memories associated with the game.
quote:Originally posted by biggerpapi:
For example, I love the numbers of the game:
60'6"
90'
3
9
2131/2632
755/762*
4256
1406
511
5714
108
I also love the numbers, and as a young child memorized many of the hall of fame statistics...but I'm rusty, here's my guesses without cheating!
The first couple are obviously easy......
-pitching distance
-basepath distance
-outs
-innings
-Aaron/Bonds*
-Rose
-??? RBI's for???...I want to cheat, but....
-Cy Young
-Nolan Ryan
-Walter Johnson? Shutouts?
Good Stuff!
Seeing a player perform in front of a scout, trying to obtain their life-long dream.
My own list is too big, but here are a few...
-I Love to watch my son play the game and compete.
-I Love the bond that sports, and baseball in particular has created between father/son.
-I Love hearing that pop in the mitt from a distance that echoes in the entire ballpark that tells you someone is throwing some gas and you don't need to see it to know.
-I Love hearing that pop off the bat that echoes in the entire ballpark that tells you someone is crushing the ball and you don't need to see it to know.
-I Love the game within the game...*hit and run *bunt *sac fly *giving yourself up *straight steal *take *pitch-out *pickoff *changing looks *challenge *IBB *INF In *DP Range etc...etc...non baseball fans get bored, true fans love this stuff!
-I Love the numbers, the records, comparing one generation to another, the traditions!
-I Love to watch my son play the game and compete.
-I Love the bond that sports, and baseball in particular has created between father/son.
-I Love hearing that pop in the mitt from a distance that echoes in the entire ballpark that tells you someone is throwing some gas and you don't need to see it to know.
-I Love hearing that pop off the bat that echoes in the entire ballpark that tells you someone is crushing the ball and you don't need to see it to know.
-I Love the game within the game...*hit and run *bunt *sac fly *giving yourself up *straight steal *take *pitch-out *pickoff *changing looks *challenge *IBB *INF In *DP Range etc...etc...non baseball fans get bored, true fans love this stuff!
-I Love the numbers, the records, comparing one generation to another, the traditions!
Pregame infield-outfield
6-4-3, 5-4-3
6-4-3, 5-4-3
quote:Originally posted by bsbl247:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by biggerpapi:
For example, I love the numbers of the game:
60'6"
90'
3
9
2131/2632
755/762*
4256
1406
511
5714
108 -Walter Johnson? Shutouts?
Good Stuff!
I think 108 would refer to the number of stitches on the ball...
The last two words of the national anthem ... "Play Ball!"
Fenway Park
Luis Tiant
Hours and hours of pickup baseball as a kid.
Strat-O-Matic Baseball as a kid.
Dirty uniforms
Fence crashing catches
Dogpiles (because they represent winning)
One on one time in the car traveling to tournaments
Just the two of us practicing in solitude at a field
Friendships
Memories
The look in a kid's eyes (at whatever level) when the light bulb clicks on.
When the kid in rec ball who "can't," does it.
Watching your kid play and realize he's not a little kid anymore.
Playing catch, shagging flies and BSing in the outfield during BP.
Pranks on teammates (this is the stuff we still talk about years later).
Women at Angel's games
GLM's
Fenway Park
Luis Tiant
Hours and hours of pickup baseball as a kid.
Strat-O-Matic Baseball as a kid.
Dirty uniforms
Fence crashing catches
Dogpiles (because they represent winning)
One on one time in the car traveling to tournaments
Just the two of us practicing in solitude at a field
Friendships
Memories
The look in a kid's eyes (at whatever level) when the light bulb clicks on.
When the kid in rec ball who "can't," does it.
Watching your kid play and realize he's not a little kid anymore.
Playing catch, shagging flies and BSing in the outfield during BP.
Pranks on teammates (this is the stuff we still talk about years later).
Women at Angel's games
GLM's
That white ball, on a high arc, going up into that black night sky and you know he got all of it. 
quote:Originally posted by T_Thomas:quote:Originally posted by bsbl247:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by biggerpapi:
For example, I love the numbers of the game:
60'6"
90'
3
9
2131/2632
755/762*
4256
1406
511
5714
108 -Walter Johnson? Shutouts?
Good Stuff!
I think 108 would refer to the number of stitches on the ball...
You're right. I was close though, The Big Train does have the career shutout record with 110. What is the 1406 biggerpapi?
Ricky Hendersonquote:What is the 1406
quote:Watching your kid play and realize he's not a little kid anymore.
Yes.
These are so great to read and many just make me grin.
some others of mine:
when you hit the ball just right and you can't even feel it hit the bat; it just soars!
The smells of the ballpark; from Little League to the Big Leagues, there are so many great smells.
when you got your first 'real' uniform
kids playing pickel on an empty lot
you can't 'stall' or 'kneel on the ball' when you get a lead; you have to throw the ball over the plate and give the other team their chance...
some others of mine:
when you hit the ball just right and you can't even feel it hit the bat; it just soars!
The smells of the ballpark; from Little League to the Big Leagues, there are so many great smells.
when you got your first 'real' uniform
kids playing pickel on an empty lot
you can't 'stall' or 'kneel on the ball' when you get a lead; you have to throw the ball over the plate and give the other team their chance...
______________________________________
when you got your first 'real' uniform
______________________________________
clarification from my boys...first "real" uniform with a FITTED hat.
when you got your first 'real' uniform
______________________________________
clarification from my boys...first "real" uniform with a FITTED hat.
quote:Originally posted by RJM:Ricky Hendersonquote:What is the 1406
Thanks...
quote:Originally posted by RJM:Ricky Hendersonquote:What is the 1406
Sorry, I'm working nights so I've slept through all of these GREAT responses!
108 is the number of stitches on a baseball.
1406 is the number of stolen bases for Rickey Be Rickey
stat-o-matic baseball.....RJM is my all-time favorite poster.
quote:Originally posted by bsballfan:
stat-o-matic baseball.....RJM is my all-time favorite poster.
thats back when games required............imagination.....
I loved strat-o-matic...
The great thing about many of these responses is the intangible nature. There is no way someone who has never experienced these things can fully appreciate what we mean when we say the FEEL of hitting the ball on the sweet spot or the SOUND of the mitt popping or the SMELL of pine tar or the SIGHT of a team working together.
Baseball encompasses everything great about life. MEMORIES and BONDS that last a life time. Man, I love this game.
Baseball encompasses everything great about life. MEMORIES and BONDS that last a life time. Man, I love this game.
quote:Originally posted by johnny appleseed:
The great thing about many of these responses is the intangible nature. There is no way someone who has never experienced these things can fully appreciate what we mean when we say the FEEL of hitting the ball on the sweet spot or the SOUND of the mitt popping or the SMELL of pine tar or the SIGHT of a team working together.
Baseball encompasses everything great about life. MEMORIES and BONDS that last a life time. Man, I love this game.
THAT, in a nutshell, is why I started this post. Great job, johnny.
I love to see my son play, and do well. But my most favorite thing of all is hearing him.
Hearing him call to his buddies that are at bat and the ones on base. Hearing him slide neatly into a base. Hearing him call "second base" with his arms wide open just before he throws down to second.
And the memory I cherish most - the sound of him laughing from the dugout. Baseball, as we all know, can be a cruel master at times. But to enjoy it and enjoy those around you so much that you laugh out loud, that is baseball's gift.
Hearing him call to his buddies that are at bat and the ones on base. Hearing him slide neatly into a base. Hearing him call "second base" with his arms wide open just before he throws down to second.
And the memory I cherish most - the sound of him laughing from the dugout. Baseball, as we all know, can be a cruel master at times. But to enjoy it and enjoy those around you so much that you laugh out loud, that is baseball's gift.
Forgive photographic ineptitude...but mikamom reminded me of this. After the catcher throws down at the beginning of the half inning, our middle infielders always bump gloves and then say something, I don't know what. But they're smiling. 
quote:Originally posted by biggerpapi:
For example, I love the numbers of the game:
60'6"
90'
3
9
2131/2632
755/762*
4256
1406
511
5714
108
I also love the language of the game. Again, only those who know the game know the language.
Chin music
Yard
Oppo
Tools of ignorance
Hot corner
Ribbie
Dying quail
Gapper
On the screws
Pepper
Worm burner
Ducks on the pond
Around the horn
Pitcher's best friend
Cheese
Senior circuit
Around the horn
The Show
Can of Corn
Southpaw
Golden Sombrero
Pickle
Cup of Coffee
Uncle Charlie
Double Dip
Rag arm
Sawed off
Tater
Fungo
Painting the black
Dinger
Fungo
Hot stove
Mendoza
Texas Leaguer
Yack
Rake
Whiff
- Climbing over the fence on Sunday morning with the boy, the bucket, and his Mom to go take BP on the city baseball field.
- Watching how much fun his Mom would have running along the outfield fence, picking up baseballs
- Doing all the proper "yes sirs" with the cop who pulls up and tells us we're not supposed to be using the field
- Doing it all over again on Tuesday and Thursday evening
- Watching how much fun his Mom would have running along the outfield fence, picking up baseballs
- Doing all the proper "yes sirs" with the cop who pulls up and tells us we're not supposed to be using the field
- Doing it all over again on Tuesday and Thursday evening