Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
162 games in regular season games. If scored tied after nine, run placed at second base and game continues. Last night the score is tied after nine & NO runner placed at second base. Does this rule change start in the play in games or just for the World Series? Walk-off grand slam by Freddie Freeman & Dodgers lead series 1-0.
Re Automatic runner at second base in extra innings of tied games - The rule applies only to regular-season games. Personally, I despise the rule. I also dislike the designated hitter rule. Pitchers should have to stand at the plate, handle a bat and run bases.
Another oddity - Pitchers have speakers inside their caps now whereby they receive verbal “next pitch” instructions. Gosh, the game was more fun when the catcher flashed the symbols using his fingers and a runner on second would try and intercept the symbol and tip off a batter.
I think the runner-on-second rule came with the time limits between pitches, for pitcher changes, and visits to the mound, etc. The over-all effect of speeding up the game has been truly a positive reform. Just eliminating the time for the f’n batters to remove and replace their batting gloves between pitches has been salutary. I object to the gloves, BTW. I am a traditionalist in many ways, like @hank, but the game had become bogged down and fans avoided going to night games because no one could get home in time to get to bed for work or school. Now a typical game runs about 2 hours.
The bizarre effect of the runner-on-second rule is that both teams often score in extra innings, so a single rune in the top of the 10th may not get the job done. I don’t bet on anything, but I imagine this rule change does not sit well with gamblers.
Crash Davis' "goodbye" speech to Annie Savoy on the night they met:
1:34: I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing the Designated Hitter. *********************** I gave up attending live games at the ballpark since they became Noise Events. Sound-effects, announcements, promotions, reminders, and on and on. Not a peaceful moment to just talk to your companion and just figure out the various possibilities with each new batter, each scenario. It's the same with ice hockey, back in my hometown, too. (AHL.)
I have commercial-free NBA TV. During time-outs and at half time it’s a carnival. Acrobats, musicians, trained dog or cat acts out on the court - you name it. The crowds seem to love it and participate in the mayhem. Of course, viewing at home you can turn the volume down.
Often the half-time show is better than the game itself..
Unfortunately, people of our vintage are adversely affected by noise in all settings. Just last week I agreed to meet a friend at a Starbucks I’d never visited previously. I had hoped to find a quiet café where two old dudes could chat, but upon entering I was hit with very loud “background” music. Far too loud for conversation. We fled outdoors where we had to contend with traffic noise from a 4-lane surface road. Restaurants are now built with no draperies, no carpeting, no sound-absorbing materials at all. Even in boisterous places, loud music is still played. I have been told that alcohol sales increase in loud environments, so management has an incentive to encourage noise. On second thought, who gives a damn about conversation any more? They are all staring at their cellphones, even while out for a walk. WTF is wrong with this picture?
Sport bars are the worst, especially during sport events. In Europe, there is the smoky atmosphere too. Thus we choose small mom & pop restaurants when they are available. For most of the time, we invited our friends to our home so we can have serious conversation if all possible. Somehow FaceTime is not the same.
Dodgers win Game 2 of the 2024 WS. So, they are up by 2 games against the Yankees. And the WS moves to the Right Coast from the Left Coast. Sunday, today, is a travel day. But Ohtani's shoulder is a concern, now. I've not been watching, just grabbing the final score.
I cannot help but to be interested, despite players' strikes, despite not even thinking about attending ANY sports event LIVE anymore because of the noise; despite "digital" commercials in my face, right up until the moment when the pitcher releases the ball. (I stopped watching the Red Sox on TV when that junk started several years ago, before I moved out here.)
I liked the old days better. "Marty." (1955.) And 1955 Game 1 was when Jackie stole home, remember? But if you look at the replay, I believe Yogi caught him at the plate. Did the umpire blow the call?
Comments
Re Automatic runner at second base in extra innings of tied games - The rule applies only to regular-season games. Personally, I despise the rule. I also dislike the designated hitter rule. Pitchers should have to stand at the plate, handle a bat and run bases.
Another oddity - Pitchers have speakers inside their caps now whereby they receive verbal “next pitch” instructions. Gosh, the game was more fun when the catcher flashed the symbols using his fingers and a runner on second would try and intercept the symbol and tip off a batter.
The bizarre effect of the runner-on-second rule is that both teams often score in extra innings, so a single rune in the top of the 10th may not get the job done. I don’t bet on anything, but I imagine this rule change does not sit well with gamblers.
1:34: I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing the Designated Hitter.
***********************
I gave up attending live games at the ballpark since they became Noise Events. Sound-effects, announcements, promotions, reminders, and on and on. Not a peaceful moment to just talk to your companion and just figure out the various possibilities with each new batter, each scenario. It's the same with ice hockey, back in my hometown, too. (AHL.)
Often the half-time show is better than the game itself..
I cannot help but to be interested, despite players' strikes, despite not even thinking about attending ANY sports event LIVE anymore because of the noise; despite "digital" commercials in my face, right up until the moment when the pitcher releases the ball. (I stopped watching the Red Sox on TV when that junk started several years ago, before I moved out here.)
I liked the old days better. "Marty." (1955.) And 1955 Game 1 was when Jackie stole home, remember? But if you look at the replay, I believe Yogi caught him at the plate. Did the umpire blow the call?