Yessir, when Iraqi kids learn to take an 0-3 pitch, master the double-switch and the intricacy that is the infield fly rule, representative democracy will be a snap.
I'm being flippant but still believe every word. A group of Marines in Iraq have a new project, IRAQI BASEBALL. They are collecting money and used baseball equipment for a noble cause:
Marines Work with the KidsMarine volunteers in Iraq give their spare time to work with Iraqi kids (boys and girls), offering youngsters an opportunity to play games that kids in the U.S. enjoy.
Kids are much the same the world over. For those of you who have served in the military in foreign lands, you'll remember. Kids follow you. They strike up conversations. They emulate you. At mealtime, they flock in droves. According to my friend Bryan in Iraq, the same it true today.
By the way -- why does everybody take on 0-3, man I could never understand that!
Taking an 0-3 pitch is impossible' (as le French say). Your already back in the dugout grumbling from your K.
A 3-0 on the other hand... the pitcher needs a strike.... but he's flustered. Odds are slim. Pitching is mostly mental.
A 3-1 pitch, same thing... pitcher needs a strike... and he can probably do it.
So swing away. Most HRs are hit on 3-1....
0-3 Damn! What a stupid error -- I really need an Editor.
But what I don't get is that the Pitcher *knows* the batter is taking, so a deep 3-0 is automatically a less intimidating 3-1. Why not swing on 3-0?
Posted by: jk at June 16, 2004 09:10 AMRight, but the pitcher also *knows* that he's taking, so he *has* to throw a strike. If he *has* to throw one, he might fake himself out and the batter takes a walk.
It's easy for a pitcher to throw five pitches and get 1 or 2 in the strike zone. It's a different story to throw 1 pitch and guarantee the strike zone.
Does not apply to great pitchers of MLB of course.
Yogi Berra said the game is 90% mental. This is a perfect example. The other 50% is making your arm agree to do what your brain says.
But an MLB pitcher can throw a strike when he knows a batter is taking and he doesn't have to paint the corners. I appreciate the insight (many have tried to explain this to me) but still wonder why they don't green-light more batters to swing, making teh pitcher throw a "good" strike.
Posted by: jk at June 17, 2004 11:49 AM