Log in

Opinion

Sims: Bad behavior should not be part of baseball

Posted

Baseball has always been on the cutting edge of bad behavior when corrections are needed.

There was the fixed World Series of 1919, the color barrier in 1947, the steroid usage and corked bats of the 1990s.

Currently there was a lockout that delayed spring training and the beginning of the season. Hopefully, after the lockout and the regular season begins, the situation will be normalized to the point where the fans will be able to go to the games again.

It is unfortunate that today the cost for a family of four to attend a game is very expensive.

Baseball is an unusual game. The defense has the ball. The game is not defined by time or space, time is ruled by equal opportunities to achieve victory and, with the exception of the diamond and the pitcher’s mound, there are no fixed dimensions to the playing field.

There is a decision made on every pitch that is final according to the authorized umpire. Rules are established and are flexible according to those who structure the events of the system. The two different leagues, the National and the American, have different opinions as to policies and procedures.

Perhaps this is good so strengths in offense and defense can be tested and that will add excitement and interest to the game.

Baseball is regarded as the national pastime. Personally, my allegiance starts with a player that ties me to a team and that results in me becoming a fan. Stan “The Man” Musial was my hero in my youth; therefore, I became a Cardinals fan in a community in central Illinois equally divided by Cubs fans.

When they played each other, it created a lot of excitement for bragging rights.

Today, in my senior years, I have been following high school baseball teams. I enjoy watching young boys being turned into men by being taught that respect for authority, learning that rules are required for a civil society and that bad behavior has consequences — that is rewarding to me.

With that in mind, all I have to say is — play ball!