I haven't followed professional baseball closely for years - although I rejoice to see that my beloved Detroit Tigers have, er, soared from last place in their division to next-to-last place. Anyhow, I still love the sport, and remember that when I used to watch games on television, I would marvel at how the sportscasters could identify the kinds of pitches being thrown. You know: "Strike three for Cabrera as he takes a swing and a miss at a fast ball", or "Juan Soto connects with a curveball but fouls it into the stands behind third base". As far as I could tell, all the pitches looked alike (well, except for a very, very high velocity fast ball). Maybe it has to do with watching the pitches on tv, or maybe the sportscasters have a better perspective.
Or maybe, I just don't know what to look for. Here's a video that describes a bunch of different deliveries and how to identify them.
I suppose, if you think about it, it doesn't really matter about a radio announcer's calls on the type of pitch. The listener can't see it, so how would they know any different. Before HDTV came along, even the TV announcers wouldn't have much to worry about. But, even now, how many people have the real-world experience that would allow them to reliably distinguish the type of pitch by seeing it on TV? Not me, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteJust saw another video on the eephus pitch.
ReplyDeleteMike Krukow, the color guy for the SF Giants, is an excellent teacher of the game. I learned a lot listening to him. That said, I stopped watching you know when, when the whole team but one kneeled. I miss the game, especially when I see highlights on the TV over the bar, but I'm still mad as hell about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the place to let me vent, everyone I know smirks at me for saying what I just said.
That, and did I see somewhere that the National League now has designated hitters? I refuse to look it up and if true then may God damn baseball forever.
ReplyDeleteI mean, shortstops are notoriously poor hitters as well, so why not a DH for them? Why not 9 DHs? Why only $15 an hour minimum wage, why not $100? American League fans are all Communists. QED.
ReplyDeleteAmerican League fans are all Communists.
ReplyDeleteOh, so that's why I could never abide AL fans! (With a few exceptions)
I think Cubs fans must have been secret Communists, too. :-)
George: I pretty much completely stopped watching MLB for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteI regret to say that the NL did adopt the designated hitter heresy, effective this year.
ReplyDelete