Welcome to Serious Baseball
Hey, my name is Frank Bundy, and I am a die-hard baseball fan. I play fantasy baseball, read about baseball, track baseball, score the games that I watch, and write about baseball.
Writing about baseball is what this site is going to be all about. I will post articles frequently, spanning all subjects of the baseball world, and you(the reader) can respond.
I just want to let everybody know, I am a sabermetrician, I use sabermetrics to follow baseball. You know AVG/OBP/SLG lines, K/BB ratios, stuff like that. Sabermetrics is how I form my opinions, and it will be the basis of my articles.
So anyways, to get this whole site started I have submitted my first article below. It is actually not a statistics article, it doesn't even deal with any baseball teams or players. It is an article to let you, the reader, know how i feel about baseball.
Feel free to comment on this article.
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America’s Obsession
Frank E. Bundy III
It has long been regarded, since the beginning of the century, that America’s pastime was baseball. Baseball was loved, watched, and enjoyed by people all over America. Although America still enjoys baseball, in the last ten to fifteen years it has taken a backseat to America’s obsession. To quote Howie Long’s Hall Of Fame enshrinement speech, “In my opinion, baseball is America’s pastime. But football is America’s passion.” Why is this? Why is it that America, for so long a baseball-driven country, has made football its number one priority.
Frank E. Bundy III
It has long been regarded, since the beginning of the century, that America’s pastime was baseball. Baseball was loved, watched, and enjoyed by people all over America. Although America still enjoys baseball, in the last ten to fifteen years it has taken a backseat to America’s obsession. To quote Howie Long’s Hall Of Fame enshrinement speech, “In my opinion, baseball is America’s pastime. But football is America’s passion.” Why is this? Why is it that America, for so long a baseball-driven country, has made football its number one priority.
This question essentially has two answers. The first and foremost answer is that football is on an ‘only once a week’ schedule. Just think about all the hype surrounding every Sunday and Monday gridiron clash. Even in cities that are not home to an NFL team, the games are hyped, enjoyed, followed and obsessed over every Sunday and Monday. Imagine, even though impossible, if every baseball game throughout a season were analyzed, thought about, and hyped as much as every football game is on local and national radio and television shows-baseball still would not get as many viewers. Why? Because even the most dedicated baseball fan will not watch 162 games a season, they will not have the time. But even the most casual of football fans can set aside one day a week to watch his or her favorite team.
The second answer to the question is ‘a short schedule’. Imagine the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Baltimore Orioles all have a 90-56 record with sixteen games to go, and that all of them have identical head-to-head, division, and intraleague records; every single game for the remainder of the season would be extremely important, and subsequently viewed and hyped more. This is how the football season starts. And this is exactly why it is viewed by more of the American public.
But, even if this imaginary baseball situation came true, the first game on the NFL schedule would get more viewers than the last, tie breaking, baseball game. Again, I ask why? The answer is simply ‘hype’. The amount of hype going into that last baseball game is nowhere near the amount of hype going into that first football game.
But, even if this imaginary baseball situation came true, the first game on the NFL schedule would get more viewers than the last, tie breaking, baseball game. Again, I ask why? The answer is simply ‘hype’. The amount of hype going into that last baseball game is nowhere near the amount of hype going into that first football game.
The two answers provided in this article have one common denominator, hype. Every football game is hyped to the maximum for six days before kickoff. Whereas in baseball, by the time last night’s game has been analyzed, it’s time for today’s game.
Football is great. But it is viewed more simply because of what I call the “too much time to analyze” theory. There is too much time to analyze, check that, overanalyze every game, and therefore, creating the overabundance of hype surrounding every NFL game.
So to all casual and die-hard baseball fans I challenge you to think of baseball on a once-a-week schedule, with only sixteen games each season. Every Saturday all thirty baseball teams would play their one game. Each team would have only one starting pitcher, and one backup. For example, every Saturday, the Cubs would start Mark Prior (just like any NFL team does with their starting quarterback). Now with this schedule in place, football and baseball are on a more even level. The amount of hype time would be equal, the amount of analysis would be equal, and most importantly, the amount of anticipation would be equal. If this were to happen, baseball would be America’s obsession.
Why would baseball beat out football every week? Because America still keeps baseball first, but just not for 162 games.
Also, another huge factor that works for football is America’s love for “flashes-in-the-pan." In football, if a team goes 10-6 and then runs the table in the playoffs as a wildcard team, they would finish 14-6. This, my friend, is a “flash-in-the-pan.” Only winning fourteen games to claim your league championship, come on!
In baseball, “flashes-in-the-pans” do not always win. The best team usually must win between 85 to 100 games and win three playoff series to be a champion. There is no “flashes-in-the-pan.”
In theory, every Super Bowl winner is to America what Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice, Baby” was in the early nineties. While every World Series champion is to America what the entire Beatles catalog is still today; a love that stands the test of time, and has shown time and time again why it is loved.
Football is loved for exactly what football is; a weekly hype-a-thon that comes to a conclusion every Sunday.
All the things used to downplay football in this article, are exactly what makes football great-the once-a-week meetings, the short schedule, and the “flash-in-the-pan” winners.
Football is not America’s obsession just because America loves football. Football's popularity is nothing more than a byproduct of its shortened over-hyped and, overanalyzed schedule. America’s love is baseball; it always has and always will be. But America’s love for “flashes-in-the-pan,” and over-hyped games works for football, and against baseball.
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If you read this article, thank you, and please post an opinion. Anyways, this is the first article I will write of many, so look forward to more.
Articles in the future will be more about statistics, players, and teams. But this article just gets it all started.
Frank Bundy III
posted by BaseballFan at
11:45 PM
1 Comments:
I am in the middle of writing a fiction baseball game. I'm still in the middle of the sixth inning, and I haven't wrote in the player names for Cleveland. It wont look right in plain text, but here it is:
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians
A.L. Championship Series - Game 7
Comerica Park
Starting Pitchers
Detroit: Justin Verlander
Cleveland: C.C. Sabathia
Top 1st
Batter 1 (#1): Sharp ground ball down the line into right field. Ball appears to be inches foul as it passes first base. A Cleveland fan reaches down and touches the ball. The ball was controversially called fair by the first base umpire and was quickly reached by Magglio Ordonez as the batter pulled into first. The batter was awarded a single.
Batter 2 (#2): The batter takes two swinging strikes. With the 0-2 count, the runner on first attempts to steal 2nd base. Justin Verlander alertly throws a pick-off to first. The runner is caught in a run down which lasts 18 throws between 2nd and 1st. Sean Casey clearly swipes the tag on the runner as he attempts to duck under it. The umpire makes a horrifying call and the runner returns to 1st base. The crowd boos deafeningly at the first base umpire who has now made 2 disreputable calls. Sean Casey is fired up early. He gets in the umps face, and begins to animatedly argue. Jim Leyland calmly walks out to defend his first baseman. The 2 minute argument ends. The batter takes four extremely close pitches, one of which appears to be a fastball directly over the plate. Crowd reacts loudly and disapprovingly as the umpire awards first base to the batter.
Batter 3 (#3): Verlander battles into a 3-2 count, and a 9 pitch at-bat. The batter swings and grounds it hard to third. Brandon Inge, playing deep, makes a diving play. With the runners on the move on 3-2, the runner is already on third, forcing Inge to try to get the runner at first. He guns a throw to first which beats the slow runner by a couple feet. Nevertheless, the umpire calls him safe, claiming Sean Casey pulled his foot off the bag. Casey is livin’ now, and he heatedly argues yet another call. Inge, after smartly calling time, runs over to hold back Casey. After the infield cools off, Jim Leyland leaves the dugout to visit the mound. The entire infield falls in.
Batter 4 (#4): On the first pitch, the batter belts a ball deep to left field. The crowd let’s out a huge ooooh as the ball leaves the bat. Cameron Maybin goes back all the way to the wall. He scales the fence and makes an incredible play to keep the ball in the ball park. All runners attempt to advance. Maybin comes down quickly and throws to the relay man, who throws to second base to double up the runner on second, who forgot to tag up. Placido Polanco relayed the ball to third for what the Tigers, and the crowd, who was going wild, thought was a triple play. As the Tigers trot back to the dugout, the runner on third base, argues with the third base ump that he tagged up. The umpiring crew gathered to discuss the issue. Following 5 minutes of deliberation, the umpire’s award a run to the Indians, who now have two outs and a man on first, who retreated to the bag after he realized he hadn’t tagged either. Jim Leyland erupts out of the dugout. He argues in the face of all 4 umpires for exactly two minutes and forty-six seconds before retreating to the dugout. Remarkably, Leyland was not ejected in the incident. (TWO OUT) (1-0)
Batter 5 (#5): Verlander throws a pickoff throw to first, which appears to nail the runner. The umpire, who thought the runner evaded the tag, calls him safe. Verlander appears to be tremendously upset by his body language, but intelligently keeps his mouth shut. He throws again to first, and this time, picked off the runner, who slipped in his attempt to dive back to first, and was late by four feet. (THREE OUT)
Cleveland: 1 Detroit: 0
BETWEEN HALF INNINGS: Crowd chants: “LETS GO UMPIRES” deafeningly between the top and bottom halves.
Bottom 1st
Batter 1 (C. Granderson): Granderson takes two strikes and an outside pitch. With a 1-2 count, he smacks the ball into the gap in right field. He is easily to second base by the time the center fielder is up with the ball. He takes the turn and slides into 3rd with a triple. The umpire makes the correct call and the runner is safe.
Batter 2 (P. Polanco): Polanco pops out. (ONE OUT)
Batter 3 (G. Sheffield): Sheffield grounds out on a close play at first on which the umpire delays his decision, but calls Sheffield out. Granderson has to hold.
(TWO OUT)
Batter 4 (M. Ordonez): Magglio works a 3-2 count and a 15 pitch at-bat before taking a wild pitch that clears the catcher by 6 feet. He walks to first. Granderson, on third, decides to try for home. The catcher chases after the ball. The pitcher forgets his duties to cover home. The catcher, thinking there is someone at the plate, throws it through the infield, allowing Ordonez, on first, to advance all the way to third, and Granderson to score easily. (1-1)
Batter 5 (I. Rodriguez): Rodriguez is hit by the first pitch. It’s a 91 mph fastball that hit him in the gut. The umpire allows Sabathia to remain in the game, but awards first to Rodriguez. The crowd voices their disapproval towards Sabathia.
Batter 6 (C. Guillen): The count goes to 2-1 quickly on Carlos Guillen. The Indians steal a sign that tells them that Rodriguez, on first, will be moving. In a smart play, they opt to pitch out. As expected the runner moves. Less expected, the runner on third runs also. Without hesitation, the catcher throws to second. Rodriguez evades the tag with an impressive slide. The second basemen relays the ball to home, but is four seconds late. (2-1) AT-BAT CONTINUES*
Batter 6* (C. Guillen): Guillen swings at 3-1 and hits it deep to left field down the line. The ball escapes the fence by inches but also goes foul by inches. On 3-2, the batter hits it down the leftfield line again, this time in double range. It appears to kick up chalk from the line, but the first base umpire calls it foul. Guillen hits a line drive to right field. The ball is close to the right fielder, who makes a diving attempt. The ball drops, but is into the glove of the fielder in one hop. The runner on second, Rodriguez, is waved around third. The fielder is up quickly and throws to home. Rodriguez slides in and appears to be safe as the crowd roars. The umpire animatedly calls him out at the plate. A chorus of boos evolves to “LETS GO UMPIRES” chants. Video replays on television confirm that the catcher, Victor Martinez, never applied a tag. (THREE OUT)
Detroit: 2 Cleveland: 1
Top 2nd
Batter 1 (#7): The batter grounds the ball deep to third base. Inge dives and makes a great stop. He quickly guns the ball to first, where the umpire calls him safe. Casey quietly argues.
Batter 2 (#8): The batter works a 3-2 count and fouls off 4 before swinging and missing a Verlander 103 mph fastball.
(ONE OUT)
Batter 3 (#9): The batter hits it up the middle. Polanco dives and stops it. He tries to flip to Guillen covering second but the umpire is in perfect position to get in the way. Polanco tries for the out at first but it’s too late. The umpires talk for a minute but award the batter a single. The umpires rob the tigers of a double play, which results in heavy boos from the crowd.
Batter 4 (#1): The batter works the count to 3-1 before smashing a fastball deep to left, down the line. The ball is far above the ground when it enters the stands, but is lost from view in the lights. The umpires make no ruling as to whether it’s a home run or a foul. The umpires gather for a few minutes to discuss it. They disperse rather quickly and signal for a home run. (4-2)
Batter 5 (#2): The batter hits it into the gap in right. Curtis Granderson gets to it quickly to cut it off before it gets to the wall. He guns a throw to second which appears to beat the runner by a couple feet. The umpire calls him safe. Placido Polanco, normally very calm, heatedly argues the call, until Jim Leyland exits the dugout to support him. The crowd again starts taunting the umpires.
Batter 6 (#3): With first base open, the batter is intentionally walked.
Batter 7 (#4): The batter hits it into left center field. Granderson gets to it quickly and throws home. His throw is perfect and Rodriguez applies a perfect tag. The second runner, faster, is close behind. He dives headfirst into home plate and is tagged out by Rodriguez for an exciting double play. The crowd voices there approval. (THREE OUT)
Cleveland: 4 Detroit: 2
Bottom 2nd
Batter 1 (S. Casey): Sean Casey flies out to left. (ONE OUT)
Batter 2 (C. Maybin): Cameron Maybin strikes out swinging on three pitches. (TWO OUT)
Batter 3 (B. Inge): Inge lays down a great bunt down the third base line on the first pitch. The third basemen gets it quickly, but throws it away and into the dugout. The umpire awards Inge second.
Batter 4 (C. Granderson): Grander son hits a line drive down the left field line. It hits the line, making it a fair ball. Brandon Inge scores from second. The throw comes into second, and Granderson is nearly out, but slides in safely. (4-3)
Batter 5 (P. Polanco): Polanco hits a line drive to right field. The right fielder makes a diving attempt but it bounces into his glove. Granderson rounds third, but holds up half-way between. He draws the throw to home plate. Polanco, on first, tries to advance. Meanwhile, Granderson is caught in a rundown. Polanco is surprised when the third basemen throws to second. Polanco slides back in, but over slides the base. Granderson scores. Polanco tries to evade the tag, and appears to do so twice. He runs towards third and the second basemen drops the ball in an attempt to throw to third. The second baseman begins arguing heatedly with the second base umpire. The umpire eventually rules Polanco out, agreeing to the appeal that he never touched second. Polanco begins arguing. Rodriguez and Inge, out of the Tigers dugout, come to assist Polanco. As soon as the players return to the dugouts, the tigers realize that they didn’t award the Granderson run. This time, Jim Leyland comes out to argue. The umpires decide that Polanco was out before Granderson crossed home plate. The boos rain down from the crowd yet again. (THREE OUT)
Cleveland: 4 Detroit: 3
Top 3rd
Batter 1 (#5): The batter takes two balls, then hits a line drive to left-center for a base hit. The runner takes a long turn around first, and tries to scurry back to first. Granderson fires a bullet to first, and the runner is caught. He turns around toward second, and Sean Casey tries to run after him. He pitches to Polanco who tags him out easily. (ONE OUT)
Batter 2 (#6): On the first pitch, the batter lines sharply into center for a base hit. Jim Leyland comes of the dugout to talk to Verlander.
Batter 3 (#7): Verlander works the count to 2-2. The batter grounds the ball slowly to Carlos Guillen. Guillen flips to Polanco for the first out, and the runner aggressively slides into Polanco at second, who is nowhere near the bag. Polanco is forced to hold the ball. The umpire calls offensive interference, and both runners are out. Polanco remains on the ground. The Tigers trainer Kevin Rand and Jim Leyland both dash out of the dugout to aid him. Polanco remains conscious, but stays on the ground for at least two minutes. Rand eventually helps him off the field. Polanco receives a standing ovation. Meanwhile, the umpires gather to discuss the play. After at least a minute of conversation, the umpires say that the batter/runner would have been safe. They award him first base. (TWO OUT)
Batter 4 (#8): The batter is hit in the hand by an 84 mph Verlander changeup. It appears to be accidental. The batter stares at Verlander for a while, and then takes his base.
Batter 5 (#9): The batter swings at the first pitch and crushes it deep to left. It’s gone as soon as it leaves the bat. The Tigers bullpen starts to stir. McCay McBride and Zach Miner start to warm up. (7-3)
Batter 6 (#1): The batter strikes out swinging on three straight fastballs. (THREE OUT)
Cleveland: 7 Detroit: 3
Bottom 3rd
Batter 1 (G. Sheffield): Sheffield works the count to 3-2. He gets the payoff pitch and fouls it back. He fouls off 8 pitches, and as a result gets smoked in the gut by a Sabathia fastball. Sheffield throws the bat down and stands at home for at least 10 seconds before taking his base. The boos erupt this time from the crowd, and the umpire walks out to the pitcher. The umpire gives both dugouts a stern warning and retreats to home plate. The boos get louder and fade into chants of “Throw him out! Throw him out!” Jim Leyland won’t risk getting ejected, but sends the batting coach out to have a chat with the ump. He calmly argues that the pitcher has already hit 2 batters with the fastball. The umpire won’t budge, and sends Lloyd McLennan back to the dugout. The crowd appreciates the effort.
Batter 2 (M. Ordonez): Ordonez takes a fastball down the middle for a strike, and Sheffield is running. The throw comes into second, and it appears that Sheffield is out, but Sheffield’s slide knocks the ball out of the glove of the second basemen, and Sheffield is safe. On the next pitch, Ordonez hits a line-drive over the second basemen. The fielder makes a leaping attempt, but it glances off his glove and ricochets into right field. Sheffield rounds third and heads for home. The right fielder finally reaches the ball and whips it to the plate. Meanwhile, Ordonez tries to advance to second. Sheffield is called safe at home, and the catcher throws to second. Ordonez beats the throw, but the umpire calls him out. Ordonez completely loses it, getting in the face of the umpire. He argues for about a minute and retreats to the dugout. He remains in the game. (ONE OUT) (7-4)
Batter 3 (C. Guillen): Guillen falls behind 0-2 but works the count to 2-2. He takes a changeup that appears to be 2ft. outside, but the catcher frames it and the umpire rings him up. Guillen shakes his head as he goes back to the dugout. (TWO OUT)
Batter 4 (I. Rodriguez): Rodriguez pops it up on the first base side of the infield in foul territory. The first baseman chases it into the first base coach’s box, then stumbles and falls to the ground. The ball drops about ten feet to in front of Andy Van Slyke, the first base coach, who retreated about 30ft. away from the coaching box when the ball was hit. The first baseman jumps up and begins arguing with the first base umpire. He motions than he was tripped, then points to Van Slyke. The first baseman doesn’t stop. He walks over to Van Slyke and begins to yell at him. The umpire tries to get in between the two, and Van Slyke tries to retreat to the dugout. The first baseman escapes the grasp of the umpire and chases after Van Slyke, eventually pushing him into the Tigers dugout. The Tigers dugout erupts. The home plate umpire and the third base umpire run after the first baseman and attempt to restrain him, while the first and second base umpires keep the Tigers in the dugout. The home plate umpire finally throws out the first baseman, and everything is returned to order. On the next pitch, Rodriguez hammers the ball out to left field. It exits the field in the same moment its hit. (7-5)
Batter 5 (S. Casey): Sean Casey grounds out to the second baseman. (THREE OUT)
Cleveland: 7 Detroit: 5
Top 4th Away: 9 Home: 5
Batter 1 (#2): The batter gets a 2-0 count then singles on a line drive to left field.
Batter 2 (#3): The batter swings on the first pitch and hits a line drive to right field. The ball hits in fair territory and takes one hop into the seats in foul ground. The batter is awarded a ground-ruled double.
Batter 3 (#4): The batter is intentionally walked.
Batter 4 (#5): The batter goes to a 3-2 count and strikes out swinging on a 100 mph fastball. (ONE OUT)
Batter 5 (#6): The batter singles up the middle. The first run gets in easily. Granderson gets to it quickly and throws to the plate. The throw beats the runner, but by enough that he turns back to third. The runner who was on first is rounding second, and is forced to go back. A runner is trapped between third and home. Rodriguez and Inge toss back and forth before the runner leaves the baseline to avoid the tag, and scores the second run. Rodriguez is extremely angry. He gets in the umpires face and argues for at least 2 minutes before Jim Leyland comes out to calm him down. The other runners remain on first and second. McCay McBride and Zach Miner are up again in the bullpen. (9-5)
Batter 6 (#7): The batter works a 2-2 count. With the runners going, the batter strikes out looking on a slider. Rodriguez throws quickly to third and the runner slides in head-first. Brandon Inge applies the tag quickly and the runner is called out.
(THREE OUT)
Cleveland: 9 Detroit: 5
Bottom 4th Away: 9 Home: 8 - Three run home-run off the glove of the right fielder and out of the park
Batter 1 (C. Maybin): Maybin swings on two straight pitches in the dirt. With a 0-2 count, Maybin hits a line drive to left-center field. Both outfielders converge on the ball. The centerfielder dives but it drops.
Batter 2 (B. Inge): Brandon Inge falls behind 1-2, and next fouls off 3 pitches before tipping the ball into the glove of the catcher.
(ONE OUT)
Batter 3: (C. Granderson): Granderson hits a ground ball in fair territory down the third-base line. The third baseman makes a diving stop, but has no play at either base. Maybin advances to second.
Batter 4 (P. Polanco): Polanco takes two pitches way inside. With both runners going on the 2-0 pitch, Polanco checks his swing and grounds it between the catcher and the pitcher. Polanco doesn’t leave home. He motions that the pitch hit his elbow. Kevin Rand runs out of the dugout. For the second time, Polanco is on the ground. Meanwhile, the play is live. The pitcher throws to first and Polanco is out. The runners advance to second and third because they were on the move. Jim Leyland explodes from the dugout. He is furious that the umpire called it a fair ball. Polanco appeared to be obviously hit by the pitch, but the umpire said it hit his bat. Leyland argues moderately toned for five minutes, and is finally sent back to the dugout. The crowd applauds Leyland’s effort.
(TWO OUT)
Batter 5 (G. Sheffield): Sheffield swings through the first pitch and loses the handle on his bat. It flies towards the Indians dugout, and lands just short of the entrance. On the 0-1 pitch, Sheffield hit a deep line-drive to right-field. The right-fielder goes back all the way to the edge of the warning track, where he makes a leaping attempt. The ball hits his glove and caroms into the bullpen for a Home Run. (9-8)
Batter 6 (M. Ordonez): Ordonez swings at the first pitch and hits a ground ball to first base. The first baseman gets a crazy hop but stays with it to make a nice play. He flips to Sabathia covering first for the out. (THREE OUT)
Cleveland: 9 Detroit: 8
Top 5th
Zach Miner replaces Justin Verlander at pitcher.
Batter 1 (#8): The batter takes two pitches for strikes. On the 0-2 pitch, Miner throws it to the backstop. Noticing a chance to get on base, the batter purposely swings at the wild pitch, and quickly begins to advance to first. Rodriguez tracks it down quickly and throws a bullet to first base to complete the strikeout. (ONE OUT)
Batter 2 (#9): The batter hits a hard ground ball down the first base line. Sean Casey makes a backhanded play on the line deep behind first He tosses to Miner covering for the out. (TWO OUT)
Batter 3 (#1): The batter takes 3 straight pitches outside. On the 3-0 pitch, he hits a long line drive to left field that leaves the ballpark within seconds. (10-8)
Batter 4 (#2): The batter strikes out swinging on three straight pitches.
Cleveland: 10 Detroit: 8
Bottom 5th
Tom Mastny replaces C.C. Sabathia at Pitcher.
Batter 1 (C. Guillen): Carlos takes two pitches for strikes before fouling off 6 straight. He takes the next four for balls and walks. The crowd shows appreciation for Guillen’s great at-bat.
Batter 2 (I. Rodriguez): With a 3-2 count, Carlos Guillen is running. Rodriguez lines the pitch down the first base line. The first baseman leaps, makes the catch, and falls on first for a double play.
Batter 3 (S. Casey): Casey lines the first pitch to the right-center field gap. The right fielder makes a diving attempt, but the ball goes off his glove and bounces behind him. The center fielder is late backing him up. Casey rounds second, and is standing on third when the ball gets to the cut-off man. With more speed, an inside-the-park home run would be inevitable.
Batter 4 (C. Maybin): Maybin hits a ground ball up the middle. The second baseman makes a diving stop, and throws to first from his knees. The throw bounces, and Cameron appears to beat it out. The umpire animatedly calls Maybin out at first.
Cleveland: 10 Detroit: 8
Top 6th
Batter 1 (#3): Miner gets ahead of the batter 1-2, and on the pay-off pitch, the batter swings, lets go of the bat, and it flies towards the Tigers dugout. (ONE OUT)
Batter 3 (#4): The batter singles sharply to left.
Batter 3 (#5): The batter gets ahead 3-1 and pops it up between Granderson and Polanco. The two converge, and Granderson makes a diving attempt. Polanco leaps over Granderson, and Granderson makes the catch, with Polanco landing inches away in his attempt to avoid him. The crowd appreciates the acrobatic play, but the umpire waves his arms, signaling that the ball was dropped. The runner on first scampers all the way to third base. Granderson and Polanco run to the second base umpire and begin to argue the call. The batter is awarded a single.
Batter 4 (#6): The batter hits a line drive over the head of the leaping Polanco and into right-center field. The runner on third scores easily. The ball gets past Ordonez, and the runner on first takes the turn around second. Ordonez tracks it down and relays the ball to Polanco, who turns quickly and fires to third base. Inge gets the ball and blocks third, the runner aggressively tackles Inge, he flips over him and tumbles about 10 feet away from third. The ball remains with Brandon’s glove, but the glove flies away from Inge. The runner runs back to third and steps on the base. The umpire signals safe. The runner on first advances to second on the play. (11-8)
Batter 5 (#7): With a 3-2 count, the batter lines it into right field. Ordonez gets to it quickly and holds the batter to a single, but with the runners going, both of them score. (13-8)
Batter 6 (#8): With a 3-1 count, the batter hits it sharply down the right field line. Ordonez cuts it off to hold the batter to a single, but the runner on first easily advances to third.
Batter 7 (#9): On the first pitch, the runner on first takes off. The batter takes the pitch for a strike, and Rodriguez holds on to the ball to prevent the delayed steal of home, but throws the ball to third to attempt to pick off the runner. The runner slides in safely, and Inge pretends to throw the ball to Zach Miner. After the runner on third leads off before the next pitch, Inge tags him out. He shows the ball to the umpire and he signals that the runner is out. The crowd goes nuts. (TWO OUT)
Batter 7* (#9): The batter hits a ground ball that just gets past Inge diving at third. Cameron Maybin scoops the ball and throws a seed to home plate. The runner coming from second is out by a mile. (THREE OUT)
Cleveland: 13 Detroit: 8
Bottom 6th Away: 13 Home: 10
Batter 1 (B. Inge): Inge hits a line drive at the third baseman, he knocks it down with his glove, but doesn’t attempt to throw out the runner.
Batter 2 (C. Granderson): Granderson chops the ball in front of home plate. The catcher can’t find the ball right away, but gets it in time to throw out Granderson. Inge moves up easily. (ONE OUT)
Batter 3 (P. Polanco): The batter falls behind 1-2, and then pops it up foul towards the right side. The first baseman runs all the way to the edge of foul territory, but it lands two rows out of play. On the next pitch, Polanco hits a fly ball fairly deep to center field. The center fielder is there in plenty of time, and gets the ball back to the infield to hold Inge at second. (TWO OUT)
Batter 4 (G. Sheffield): Gary Sheffield falls behind 0-2, before fouling off 4 pitches en route to a 3-2 count. On the first 3-2 offering, Sheffield fouls it off to the right side. The first baseman chases it to the edge of foul territory, where he leaps into the stands. He misses the ball, and lands in the lap of a fan in the first row. The fan not only caught the player, but the ball too. The first baseman, embarrassed and angry, stands up, still in the stands, and begins screaming and yelling at the lady who caught the ball. Tigers 1B Coach Andy Van Slyke runs over to calm him down. He tries to break up the irate player from the petrified fan, but the fielder starts throwing fists at Van Slyke. He manages to grab a hold of the player and drag him out of the stands. The Indians and Tigers benches both explode. Two umpires run to separate Van Slyke and the first baseman. The other two attempt to keep the dugouts away from the scene.
That's all I have so far. Please give me some input on it. I'm going to continue the brawl later too. But I thought you might have some ideas for that too.
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detroitsportsfan12721, at 10:36 PM
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