Last Wednesday I went to the Twins game with my friend Cassie. The game was the series finale against the Baltimore Orioles and the hometown boys were hoping for a sweep. I felt a bandwagoning-effect might be happening after the Twins seemed to turn things around a bit on a solid road trip, and then a chance for a sweep.
Not to mention that fact that they had a walk-off win Tuesday night, a feat seemingly so big that I couldn't recall the last time it occurred. So naturally, I figured Wednesday might be a let down. And the end result was.
I couldn't fault starter Nick Blackburn too much. He wasn't stellar, but I'd seen him pitch much worse the last time I was at the Dome. What hurt the team was its inability to string together some hits. The only run for the Twins came on a run-scoring double. Not that impressive offensively.
A tackle heard 'round the world
Since the game was pretty uneventful, especially for the home fans, the most exciting moment was during one of the later innings when a presumably intoxicated young man wandered out onto the field from the home run porch.
I didn't see him enter, but I heard the commotion and looked down from our Cheap Seats to see what was going on. As I saw the man in his jeans and polo shirt, it wasn't what I expected. Instead of running around the field trying to keep himself free from security, he seemed to gallop around and look back at the stands, where I'm sure his pals were cheering and laughing hysterically.
We all saw the security guards running toward the guy, from all directions of the field, but one in particular was the closest to him. Then, all of the sudden, the not-so-tiny guard put a huge bear-hug-like tackle on the guy. And even from the upper deck, we could tell it was a hard hit.
Any unwanted distractions on the field usually are not shown on television, so seeing something like this in person was quite interesting. It made for some good excitement during a game that wasn't all that exciting on the diamond.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
'Slow'-pitch baseball
Some people don't enjoy sports. Like anything else, it's an acquired interest that not everyone will have.
Some people prefer certain sports over others. An energetic football fan may not care for bowling, or sitting down to a nearly four-hour baseball game.
I once heard someone compare watching baseball to the same level of excitement as watching paint dry. While I think that may be a stretch in general, sometimes it's not that far off the mark. The pace of major league games these days seems to be getting longer and more drawn out than ever before.
I'll even provide you with a couple of real-life examples from this season. A couple weeks ago my family and I attended a Twins game on a Tuesday evening. It ended up being a Royals blowout, with a lot of pitching changes and a lot of runs. The game dragged on so long that we didn't even stay for the duration, leaving before the eighth inning.
That was the third game this season where I left early, which I don't usually do. Granted, the other two games lasted into the 12th and 15th innings, but still. My beef here isn't with extras; although I wouldn't object to formulating some sort of quick-fix tie-breaker.
Pick up the pace
The pace of the game is the problem. This isn't a new concept, and I'm sure I'm not the first one to write or complain about it, but it still is an issue. Most other sports have game clocks, play clocks, time limits. Even tennis has made some good strides with its rules. The clocks are there for a good purpose - to keep things moving.
It may seem unfair to compare baseball to other sports, because obviously they're different. But with no rules in place regarding the pace, players and teams begin to use certain aspects of the game to their advantage.
When I watch games on TV, it's much harder to focus on a Twins game than say, a Wild game which is filled with nearly constant skating, hitting and shooting. First pitch... wait 20 to 30 seconds... second pitch... wait again.
Sure hockey has stoppages in play, but even those have been sped up in the past few years with the "hurry up" faceoffs. In fact, a hockey game is about 2.5 hours. Even with the five-minute overtime and possible shootout, it's still fast-paced with a good solution for a tie-breaker.
Just play the game
Adding to baseball's slowness, why does the batter have to readjust his batting gloves after taking a ball in the dirt where he doesn't move an inch? (And does Big Papi really need to soak his gloves with saliva a handful of times in an at-bat?)
Why does the pitcher have to spit three times, readjust his absurdly large necklace and pace the mound before he's ready for the next toss? (With the exception of Mark Buehrle, who is one of the fastest workers on the rubber.) To me, these little mannerisms can get ridiculous. Throw the ball, take a breath and then do it again.
Even though baseball isn't a timed game, it goes by number of innings, the powers that be should take a hard look at the lengths of games and start making some changes.
Here's my dad's idea: how about a pitch clock? Football has a play clock, basketball has a shot clock and tennis limits the amount of time taken between a changeover and isn't afraid to dish out warnings to players.
Give the pitcher a certain amount of time to throw the ball, or else he assumes some kind of penalty, like a ball added to the count, or a balk. By the same token, give batters some rules too. They need to be in the box within "x" number of seconds or the pitch is a strike.
The amount of time it takes for pitches to be thrown isn't the only contributor to lengthy ball games, but I think by trying to speed this part of the game up, it will help a ton. My plan here isn't a fool-proof and perfect solution, it's simply a brainstorm of ideas in order to speed things up.
It's a great game, but who has three to four hours each night to devote to watching your favorite team?
Some people prefer certain sports over others. An energetic football fan may not care for bowling, or sitting down to a nearly four-hour baseball game.
I once heard someone compare watching baseball to the same level of excitement as watching paint dry. While I think that may be a stretch in general, sometimes it's not that far off the mark. The pace of major league games these days seems to be getting longer and more drawn out than ever before.
I'll even provide you with a couple of real-life examples from this season. A couple weeks ago my family and I attended a Twins game on a Tuesday evening. It ended up being a Royals blowout, with a lot of pitching changes and a lot of runs. The game dragged on so long that we didn't even stay for the duration, leaving before the eighth inning.
That was the third game this season where I left early, which I don't usually do. Granted, the other two games lasted into the 12th and 15th innings, but still. My beef here isn't with extras; although I wouldn't object to formulating some sort of quick-fix tie-breaker.
Pick up the pace
The pace of the game is the problem. This isn't a new concept, and I'm sure I'm not the first one to write or complain about it, but it still is an issue. Most other sports have game clocks, play clocks, time limits. Even tennis has made some good strides with its rules. The clocks are there for a good purpose - to keep things moving.
It may seem unfair to compare baseball to other sports, because obviously they're different. But with no rules in place regarding the pace, players and teams begin to use certain aspects of the game to their advantage.
When I watch games on TV, it's much harder to focus on a Twins game than say, a Wild game which is filled with nearly constant skating, hitting and shooting. First pitch... wait 20 to 30 seconds... second pitch... wait again.
Sure hockey has stoppages in play, but even those have been sped up in the past few years with the "hurry up" faceoffs. In fact, a hockey game is about 2.5 hours. Even with the five-minute overtime and possible shootout, it's still fast-paced with a good solution for a tie-breaker.
Just play the game
Adding to baseball's slowness, why does the batter have to readjust his batting gloves after taking a ball in the dirt where he doesn't move an inch? (And does Big Papi really need to soak his gloves with saliva a handful of times in an at-bat?)
Why does the pitcher have to spit three times, readjust his absurdly large necklace and pace the mound before he's ready for the next toss? (With the exception of Mark Buehrle, who is one of the fastest workers on the rubber.) To me, these little mannerisms can get ridiculous. Throw the ball, take a breath and then do it again.
Even though baseball isn't a timed game, it goes by number of innings, the powers that be should take a hard look at the lengths of games and start making some changes.
Here's my dad's idea: how about a pitch clock? Football has a play clock, basketball has a shot clock and tennis limits the amount of time taken between a changeover and isn't afraid to dish out warnings to players.
Give the pitcher a certain amount of time to throw the ball, or else he assumes some kind of penalty, like a ball added to the count, or a balk. By the same token, give batters some rules too. They need to be in the box within "x" number of seconds or the pitch is a strike.
The amount of time it takes for pitches to be thrown isn't the only contributor to lengthy ball games, but I think by trying to speed this part of the game up, it will help a ton. My plan here isn't a fool-proof and perfect solution, it's simply a brainstorm of ideas in order to speed things up.
It's a great game, but who has three to four hours each night to devote to watching your favorite team?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The good of the Dome
Since I did some Dome-bashing last week, now would be a good time to pinpoint some of the good memories.
First of all, I enjoy the fact that the venue has a roof. This is absolutely necessary for the weather roller coaster that is Minnesota.
I am very disappointed that Target Field will never be able to add an overhead shelter. Every major league stadium or ballpark should be equipped with a retractable roof, if I had my way. But I'm not an idiot; I know it comes down to the all-mighty dollar.
OK, enough of that. I'm supposed to be positive in this entry. (Can you tell I can be a negative thinker?)
Time at the Dome
I've been to a good chunk of baseball games at the Dome over the years, even more so when I began seriously following the Twins during my middle-school years. I've seen wins, losses and a couple of playoff games. I've donned fanatic apparel, and unfortunately was never circled by Bert.
I also spent my sweet sixteen at the Dome with my entire family and friend Emily. And I headed back for my 20th as well. Both times I received a scoreboard birthday greeting from my parents.
But all things aside, one of the most memorable moments for me at the Metrodome was attending the May 25, 1997 pre-game ceremony for Kirby Puckett where his No. 34 jersey was retired. The biggest thing I remember is standing up as he entered the field, and then applauding for a really long time. I remember thinking that I had never clapped that long in my life (I was only 10, but still...).
I don't recall a lot of the specifics of the ceremony, except for a video tribute with the Mariah Carey song "Hero." I knew enough about the Twins at that time to realize what a great player and icon our state had in Puckett. I'll also always take with me the voice of Twins public address announcer, the late Bob Casey, when it was Kirby's time to go to bat. "Kirbeeeeeeeeeeee Puckett!"
Back-to-back-to-back
There was also another game that sticks with me. I believe it was during the magical division title run of '06. The Twins were at home to finish the regular season against the White Sox, and they were chasing Detroit for the division title. The Twins dropped two of three games, but won on the final day. And the Royals ended up sweeping the Tigers to help the Twins to the title.
I just remember being at the Twins game during one of the two losses, and cheering for Kansas City. In the later innings, more focus seemed to be on the scoreboard with the Royals/Tigers score than the game in the Dome. It was very exciting and exhilerating to be a part of those moments.
Of course, I also went to the AL Divisional playoff games between the Twins and Oakland A's. The swept series was a huge letdown after the exciting regular season finish for Minnesota. But being able to be a part of that historic run in some way was amazing.
World series memories
Although I am too young to remember, I'm sure the two world championships the Twins won in the Dome bring out some of the best memories for a lot of people. I wish I could recall what that was like.
I guess the iconic piece that stays with me (and I'm sure for most fans) from watching highlights of the 1991 series is Kirby's game-saving catch against the glass in center, and of course his home run to force a game seven. If Joe Buck's famous tag doesn't stay with you as a Twins fan, I don't know what will.
"And we'll see ya... tomorrow night!"
First of all, I enjoy the fact that the venue has a roof. This is absolutely necessary for the weather roller coaster that is Minnesota.
I am very disappointed that Target Field will never be able to add an overhead shelter. Every major league stadium or ballpark should be equipped with a retractable roof, if I had my way. But I'm not an idiot; I know it comes down to the all-mighty dollar.
OK, enough of that. I'm supposed to be positive in this entry. (Can you tell I can be a negative thinker?)
Time at the Dome
I've been to a good chunk of baseball games at the Dome over the years, even more so when I began seriously following the Twins during my middle-school years. I've seen wins, losses and a couple of playoff games. I've donned fanatic apparel, and unfortunately was never circled by Bert.
I also spent my sweet sixteen at the Dome with my entire family and friend Emily. And I headed back for my 20th as well. Both times I received a scoreboard birthday greeting from my parents.
But all things aside, one of the most memorable moments for me at the Metrodome was attending the May 25, 1997 pre-game ceremony for Kirby Puckett where his No. 34 jersey was retired. The biggest thing I remember is standing up as he entered the field, and then applauding for a really long time. I remember thinking that I had never clapped that long in my life (I was only 10, but still...).
I don't recall a lot of the specifics of the ceremony, except for a video tribute with the Mariah Carey song "Hero." I knew enough about the Twins at that time to realize what a great player and icon our state had in Puckett. I'll also always take with me the voice of Twins public address announcer, the late Bob Casey, when it was Kirby's time to go to bat. "Kirbeeeeeeeeeeee Puckett!"
Back-to-back-to-back
There was also another game that sticks with me. I believe it was during the magical division title run of '06. The Twins were at home to finish the regular season against the White Sox, and they were chasing Detroit for the division title. The Twins dropped two of three games, but won on the final day. And the Royals ended up sweeping the Tigers to help the Twins to the title.
I just remember being at the Twins game during one of the two losses, and cheering for Kansas City. In the later innings, more focus seemed to be on the scoreboard with the Royals/Tigers score than the game in the Dome. It was very exciting and exhilerating to be a part of those moments.
Of course, I also went to the AL Divisional playoff games between the Twins and Oakland A's. The swept series was a huge letdown after the exciting regular season finish for Minnesota. But being able to be a part of that historic run in some way was amazing.
World series memories
Although I am too young to remember, I'm sure the two world championships the Twins won in the Dome bring out some of the best memories for a lot of people. I wish I could recall what that was like.
I guess the iconic piece that stays with me (and I'm sure for most fans) from watching highlights of the 1991 series is Kirby's game-saving catch against the glass in center, and of course his home run to force a game seven. If Joe Buck's famous tag doesn't stay with you as a Twins fan, I don't know what will.
"And we'll see ya... tomorrow night!"
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