tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23131171.post7860394820319091972..comments2024-02-26T02:45:15.935-08:00Comments on Meanderings: Who Needs Homeruns? I Love BaseballErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159273255443369708noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23131171.post-75078601199575868562009-10-28T10:58:00.797-07:002009-10-28T10:58:00.797-07:00I'm with you 100%. The threat of a home run is...I'm with you 100%. The threat of a home run is nice, looming over the game with almost every pitch, but the home run itself is a release of that tension. The tension builds through episodes like you described; the real excitement in baseball is watching fielders chase seemingly uncatchable balls and players running the bases. Can he score from first on a ball in the gap? Get from first to third on the single? Hit the ball through the vacated infield spot on a hit and run? Does the fielder hit the cut-off man, or throw to the wrong base? Does he make a spectacular throw that kills the run at the plate but allows runners to move up to second and third? All of those are exciting, and continue to ratchet up the tension for the next batter. The homer run is kind of cool to watch, but the bases are empty after that, and the tension has to start to build again.<br /><br />Even ballplayers believe this, though they won't say so in as many words. How many times have you heard it said that a pitcher with a big lead (say 6-0) would rather give up a solo home run than walk a guy? The home run is a run, now the bases are empty, he starts with a clean slate. he walks a better and pitch selection and defensive positioning change so that a big inning could be brewing.Dana Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350344882342624735noreply@blogger.com