Are There Any BASEBALL Fans On The Forum?

[fergusontd]

Don't get your hopes up...lost 6-0 today!

[OLDE CUTLER]

Tough news for Ranger fans with DeGrom scheduled for his 2nd Tommy John surgery and will be out till after the 2024 All Star game most likely.

[Mumbleypeg]

I’ve about decided there is but one good use for AI - replacing MLB umpires. Prior to this week I’ve been opposed to replacing umpires with modern technology. However after the display of total ineptitude by umpire Ramon De Jesus I’m leaning toward it. He was pathetic.

Monday night he was the home plate umpire. His strike zone was erratic at best - players on both teams were clearly unhappy with his ball/strike calls, and two Angels were ejected. I think the players and most fans can deal with an umpire’s judgement as long as they are consistent but when pitches in the same location are called a strike one time and then next time called a ball, they get frustrated not knowing what to expect.

Last night De Jesus was the umpire at first base, and ejected three Rangers including Marcus Semien and manager Bruce Bochy within a span of about 30 seconds - between innings! As managers go, Bochy rarely gets ejected, that was only the 79th time in over 4000 games. And Semien has now been ejected just twice in 1249 games.

Ken

[jerryd6818]

I’ve about decided there is but one good use for AI - replacing MLB umpires. Prior to this week I’ve been opposed to replacing umpires with modern technology.

Ken

I'm a bit of a perfectionist and have been a fan-boy of modern Technology as it effects the strike zone for quite some time. If they can project a strike zone with portrayals of the ball for TV, they can insert a see through screen in the Umpires mask & make balls & strikes calling a piece of cheese. Sometimes they are so far off it almost seems like they are on the take.

[Mumbleypeg]

From what I’ve read about the ABS (Automated Balls and Strikes) system, it won’t be imbedded in the umpire’s mask. Not sure how the technology works but apparently similar technology is being used in tennis, soccer and golf already, and in pro baseball’s minor leagues. Apparently there are two versions being tested, both using the same basic technology to determine balls and strikes.

In one version the umpire has an earbud into which a computer tells them whether ball or strike, which the umpire then verbalizes/signals, similar to what they do today except the computer makes the determination. The other system gives each team three challenges per game. If either team challenges the call the pitch box result is immediately replayed on the stadium scoreboard. Win the challenge and you get to keep your challenge. Lose and you forfeit one of your challenges.

Ken

[jerryd6818]

I guess that's a better way of doing it instead of embedding it in the Ump's mask.

[OLDE CUTLER]

It is shocking to me how many people actually think that the umpires can see the square box strike zone that we see on TV. "I can't understand how they missed that call when it's outside the box". That and the first down line that we see on NFL broadcasts on TV. "Why didn't the runner dive over the line, it was right there.

[Mumbleypeg]

A computer automated strike zone would sure change the catcher’s job. No more “pitch framing” or verbally trying to sway an umpire’s call. The computer won’t be influenced one way or the other. The catcher’s job will be simply catching the ball and throwing it. I guess they’ll continue to work on the hitters.

Ken

[OLDE CUTLER]

Has there ever been a team so dominated as Oakland was the other night against the Yankees in Germans perfect game? Oakland offense had zero baserunners, their pitching gave up 11 runs, and the defense made 3 errors.

[Mumbleypeg]

Oakland this year is at best a AAA minor league team masquerading as a major league team. Their ownership is determined to either get a new stadium or move to another city. Methinks they are purposely putting an inferior product on the field with the aim being such low attendance that MLB will let them move.

Tampa Bay also plays in a lousy stadium in a less than ideal location, with poor attendance being the result. But their ownership and front office continues to put a good team on the field. It can be done!

Ken

[Waukonda]

With apologies to Jim Croce........the Nats learned last night that you don't mess around with Elly!

[1967redrider]

Hey now, you're an All-Star -

https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-mlb-home- ... rticipants

[Waukonda]

As 2 of the more active members of this forum......

John, you got to feel good about the Nats getting Dylan Crews, and Ken, Langford sure ain't no slouch for the Rangers 1st pick!

[1967redrider]

As 2 of the more active members of this forum......

John, you got to feel good about the Nats getting Dylan Crews, and Ken, Langford sure ain't no slouch for the Rangers 1st pick!

Definitely something to build on, 'cuz there ain't much currently.

[Mumbleypeg]

As 2 of the more active members of this forum......

John, you got to feel good about the Nats getting Dylan Crews, and Ken, Langford sure ain't no slouch for the Rangers 1st pick!

Definitely something to build on, 'cuz there ain't much currently.

Both look like promising prospects. We’ve had promising prospects before though, so I don’t get too excited about them until they’ve made it to “The Show”. I think success in MLB is at least 50% mental - they’re all extremely talented athletes who were likely the best players in every team they played for prior to the draft.

I’ve got mixed feelings about this year’s All-Star game. The Rangers have 5 starters (6 All-Stars total including the pitcher Eovaldi) in the game, which is nice recognition. But they’ve just completed a stretch of 17 straight games without an off day and only one day off in the last 31 games. They look tired to me, and could use some time off rather than traveling to and from Seattle for another game and the festivities.

Ken

[Jeepergeo]

We are fans. We have season tickets to the Inland Empire 66ers. The 66ers are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. A lot of good people turn out for the 66ers games and everyone has a lot of fun.

When we first started attending, some of the season ticket holders hosted players at their homes for the season. That sort of ended with COVID, unfortunately.

[Waukonda]

We are fans. We have season tickets to the Inland Empire 66ers. The 66ers are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. A lot of good people turn out for the 66ers games and everyone has a lot of fun.

When we first started attending, some of the season ticket holders hosted players at their homes for the season. That sort of ended with COVID, unfortunately.

That is awesome!

[jerryd6818]

Fell asleep during the All Star game. Woke up to see the last couple of outs.
National League - 3
American League - 2
First time the National League has won since 2012.

[Mumbleypeg]

Just got home from watching “Mad Max” Scherzer put on a pitching clinic for the Rangers this evening. One hit, 11 strikeouts, 1 walk. Only one ball hit out of the infield, a fly ball to center field. The lone hit was a ground ball that Rangers 2B Marcus Semien got a glove on but couldn’t get the out at first base.

Scherzer was mixing his pitches, moving the ball around the strike zone, and generally befuddling the Angels batters (including Ohtani).

The Rangers meanwhile posted 12 unanswered runs. Final score Texas 12, LAA 0.

Oh, and the Lastros lost, as did the damnYankees. A beautiful night of baseball!

Ken

[1967redrider]

Just got home from watching “Mad Max” Scherzer put on a pitching clinic for the Rangers this evening. One hit, 11 strikeouts, 1 walk. Only one ball hit out of the infield, a fly ball to center field. The lone hit was a ground ball that Rangers 2B Marcus Simeon got a glove on but couldn’t get the out at first base.

Scherzer was mixing his pitches, moving the ball around the strike zone, and generally befuddling the Angels batters (including Ohtani).

The Rangers meanwhile posted 12 unanswered runs. Final score Texas 12, LAA 0.

Oh, and the Lastros lost, as did the damnYankees. A beautiful night of baseball!

Ken

Nice, Ken. I sure do miss him, when he was dealing it was like poetry in motion.

[Jeepergeo]

We are partial season ticket holders to the Inland Empire 66ers, a minor league affiliate of the Angels. This is our 6th season and we've enjoyed each season. There srye several season ticket holders around our seats, and we have become friends over the years.

COVID did a lot of damage to the atmosphere at the games. Players no longer live with season ticket holder families and there is no more passing the hat for home runs to give the HR hitter a little gift. Gone are $0.50 days when entry to outfield grass seats, hot dogs, and beer were $0.50 each.

Fireworks are a festure of many Friday games, and those are fun to watch.

[Dan In MI]

The Tigers wiped the floor with the White Sox tonight...10-0!

[Waukonda]

Went to Comerica over the weekend to bid Miggy adieu, Tigers have a lot of young talent......maybe 2024. In the meantime, can't decide who I am pulling for now in the playoffs.

[jerryd6818]

In the meantime, can't decide who I am pulling for now in the playoffs.

Since the Cubs died a grizzly death I have the other oar in that indecisive boat.

[Waukonda]

In the meantime, can't decide who I am pulling for now in the playoffs.

Since the Cubs died a grizzly death I have the other oar in that indecisive boat.

Normally, when I don't have a strong emotional tie to any of the playoff teams, I will root for those with the smallest budget. I think that would be the Marlins, followed by the D'Backs this postseason.