I went with my wife, brother and a friend to the Mariners/Rangers game last night at Safeco field. As Randy Jackson might say on American Idol, it was just alright for me, dawg.
The Mariners are mediocre and the Rangers aren't much better. Slammin' Sammy is just So-So, and Eric Gagne's stuff seemed to be Gone (topping out at 94 m.p.h. on the radar gun isn't bad, but it isn't 98-99, either) in his return to the Bigs.
Now forgive me for a moment while I wax philosophical.
There we were at a beautiful stadium -- which was fortunate, because it was a less than beautiful evening -- watching the greatest game there is. (Sorry, jai alai.) The company wasn't bad, either.
But between innings, we were absolutely inundated with entertainment. There was the dancing field crew, a digital boat race, a digital car race, a trivia contest and a lot more. Basically, we were fed a steady diet of noise, which left very little time to talk baseball and soak in the atmosphere.
The experience was indicative of the state of our culture, I think. The more noise and entertainment we soak ourselves in, the less we are confronted with matters of greater significance. You know, things like faith, life purpose, and relationships. Those things are easily pushed to the background while we try and track which flying and swiveling hat the digital baseball is under.
What I love about the game of baseball is that it moves at such a pace that there is room for pure enjoyment of the game and space for thought and relationships in between. Somehow, though, we've grown uncomfortable with that and it looks like there's no turning back.
Apr 14, 2007
Apr 12, 2007
Duke lacrosse players consider lawsuit
The Duke lacrosse scandal is rearing its ugly head yet again. Just when I had started to forget about this case, the situation has become even more bizarre.
Not only have all charges against the Duke lacrosse players been dropped, but now the players are considering a lawsuit against prosecuting attorney Mike Nifong.
Nifong has probably wronged these students, and his overzealousness has certainly come at a cost to his political endeavors. Nifong overstepped his bounds, and he deserved the punishment he received -- he's been fired, criminally charged, and is now facing the possibility of disbarment.
And yet, something strikes me as odd about all of this. Just because nothing can be definitively proved doesn't make these young men innocent from all wrongdoing. Far from it. But here they are, proclaiming their innocence and turning the tables on the entire situation.
Are the Duke lacrosse players innocent of rape? Probably. But I don't think that lets them off the hook for their unquestionably irresponsible actions.
Not only have all charges against the Duke lacrosse players been dropped, but now the players are considering a lawsuit against prosecuting attorney Mike Nifong.
Nifong has probably wronged these students, and his overzealousness has certainly come at a cost to his political endeavors. Nifong overstepped his bounds, and he deserved the punishment he received -- he's been fired, criminally charged, and is now facing the possibility of disbarment.
And yet, something strikes me as odd about all of this. Just because nothing can be definitively proved doesn't make these young men innocent from all wrongdoing. Far from it. But here they are, proclaiming their innocence and turning the tables on the entire situation.
Are the Duke lacrosse players innocent of rape? Probably. But I don't think that lets them off the hook for their unquestionably irresponsible actions.
Apr 9, 2007
The Rise of the Switch Pitcher?
Every day at 3:00 p.m., my co-workers and I play catch on the grassy area adjacent to our office building. It's my favorite 10 minutes of the work day.
One co-worker, who plays for a recreational softball team, has taken to throwing left-handed during the break time, even though that isn't his dominant side. He says he's saving his arm, but I think he's plotting to become the major league's next ambidextrous pitcher.
When the topic came up, I turned to my greatest ally for information, the internet (thanks, Al Gore). There was some information about Greg Harris, the only man to ever pitch both left and right-handed in a game in the 20th century.
But the more interesting link was a New York Times story about a guy named Pat Venditte, who is an ambidextrous pitcher for Creighton. Venditte pitches from both sides of the plate, and it's not just a circus act. He has a 3.29 ERA, and may wind up as a draft pick in an upcoming MLB draft.
It's a fascinating story, but I don't think this guy will end up being big league material. My guess is the novelty will wear off when he can't get anyone out in Double-A. He may be good -- even very good -- throwing from both sides, but in order to maintain and improve his ability, he'll have to choose a side. And then the novelty is gone.
What about switch hitters, you ask? True, but I answer that if you look closely, most switch hitters experience a significant drop in average or power (or both) from one side of the plate.
One co-worker, who plays for a recreational softball team, has taken to throwing left-handed during the break time, even though that isn't his dominant side. He says he's saving his arm, but I think he's plotting to become the major league's next ambidextrous pitcher.
When the topic came up, I turned to my greatest ally for information, the internet (thanks, Al Gore). There was some information about Greg Harris, the only man to ever pitch both left and right-handed in a game in the 20th century.
But the more interesting link was a New York Times story about a guy named Pat Venditte, who is an ambidextrous pitcher for Creighton. Venditte pitches from both sides of the plate, and it's not just a circus act. He has a 3.29 ERA, and may wind up as a draft pick in an upcoming MLB draft.
It's a fascinating story, but I don't think this guy will end up being big league material. My guess is the novelty will wear off when he can't get anyone out in Double-A. He may be good -- even very good -- throwing from both sides, but in order to maintain and improve his ability, he'll have to choose a side. And then the novelty is gone.
What about switch hitters, you ask? True, but I answer that if you look closely, most switch hitters experience a significant drop in average or power (or both) from one side of the plate.
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