For Liz

Thinking about getting hit by pitches when I was batting against University of Chile pitchers in Santiago, with the pitchers who could throw smoke I had to pull the trigger the instant I caught sight of the ball leaving his hand if not sooner.

There is almost no time to get out of the way of pitch that is thrown at you under those circumstances because you are already turning your bat and body into the direction of that fastball!

If the bases were loaded and I was expecting a fastball down the middle because of the balls and strikes count, I would be turning on that pitch to drive it over the left-field fence for a grand slam. If it were ball 4 inside at about the belt instead of a strike over the plate, I got hit by that ball and it smarts. Rarely if ever does a pitcher bean a batter for ball four but stranger things have happened, especially if there is a rivalry about sweethearts, mistresses, on-field cheap shots and such.

The End For Now

29 thoughts on “For Liz

  1. “Rarely if ever does a pitcher bean a batter for ball four but stranger things have happened, especially if there is a rivalry about sweethearts, mistresses, on-field cheap shots and such.”

    Lol πŸ™‚

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  2. Even after attending two World Series games as a kid, I grew up with a definitive attitude about the superiority of football and hockey over baseball. Too slow… batter keeps digging at the plate … Yawn!

    It wasn’t until I moved to NYC after college and attended my first Yankee game that I realized the error of my thinking. Of course one would have been foolish not to have appreciated Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, etc. The one player who impressed me the most, however, was David “Boomer” Wells (Yankee 1997-1998) who taught me a lot about the mental battle that goes on between pitcher and batter. I attended quite a few home games in da Bronx and from wherever I was sitting, noticed that predatory look in Boomer’s eyes. I was devastated when they traded him for Clemens who was never excepted by fans as a true Yankee.

    Live and learn!

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Anyone who thinks baseball is boring never played third base at the university level or higher.

    Change my mind.

    P.S. 3d base is not called “the hot corner” for nothing.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Nevertheless at home plate is where the most serious collisions normally take place. Obvs when outfielders accidentally run into each other that can mess up one’s evening plans right quick.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I still remain impressed with any player who stands at the plate waiting for a 90 mph pitch to be thrown at his head. As for infielders, it’s all about the shortstop but that opinion has nothing to do with DJ of course! πŸ™‚

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Yep. Our Team USA shortstop in Santiago, Chile had played at Cornell and was smooth as silk. We won the league championship my first two years with him at short. We came in second place after he returned to America. He had a bat too; always a bonus.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Third base ain’t too shabby though. A-Rod did a great job but I normally avoid any discussion about him due to the steroids scandal. Jeter (not on steroids) was no slugger, but when you needed a single to bring in a runner to home plate, he da man. πŸ™‚

        BTW, thanks for this post. I really enjoyed it!

        Liked by 2 people

  5. I played 3rd base a few times in Santiago when someone else wanted to try their hand at catching. One guy broke his right thumb that way. He had no business being behind the plate and paid dearly for his mistake.
    His thumb was snapped straight back. It was gruesome to look at. I was playing third so was one of the first peeps to arrive on the scene.

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      1. You are handsome and witty and clever. You are brave and noble and patriotic. You are a man of action, and a literary genius πŸ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You remind me of that guy in that movie about Wall Street. When he was asked what amount of money would bring him peace, he replied “More.” Lol πŸ™‚ You are so cute πŸ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      3. genius
        (dΚ’inyΙ™s)
        Word forms: geniuses
        1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
        Genius is very great ability or skill in a particular subject or activity.
        This is the mark of her real genius as a designer.
        The man had genius and had made his mark in the aviation world.
        Synonyms: brilliance, ability, talent, capacity More Synonyms of genius
        2. COUNTABLE NOUN
        A genius is a highly talented, creative, or intelligent person.
        Chaplin was not just a genius, he was among the most influential figures in film history.

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      4. No, I don’t think so. Although, you are a genius in many areas-literature being just one area. So, I should have said, “You are a genius in many areas.” I should not have limited it to just literature. I mis spoke. πŸ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Well, here’s one: Catchers are the bravest players on the field because they know a bullet is coming toward them. πŸ™‚

        Liked by 2 people

    1. And I am going to bed. I have been making a real effort to stick to a regular sleep schedule Combined with the Vitamin D and pro biotics, this seems to be giving me far more energy. I no longer feel like I am suffering from some strange sleeping illness. I only get tired late at night, which is novel for me. I used to be tired all the time!

      Liked by 1 person

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