An Unwritten Baseball Rule that Bothers Me

Baseball has many unwritten rules. If you follow the game you notice these things. Some of these rules I like, but one of them really bothers me. It’s the rule about not messing with a big moment. According to this rule it is not acceptable to bunt for a hit late in a no-hit bid. The mentality is that the hit should be earned and above board, as if bunting for a hit is not a fair way to reach base. I hate that rule. The goal of a hitter is to reach base. A bunt single is just as legitimate as a screaming line drive. Bunting for hits, and being a legitimate threat to bunt, moves infielders and increases a hitter’s chance at reaching base. By calling bunting a breach of etiquette the position of the hitter is weakened (unless the hitter defiantly bunts anyway, bringing on media outrage and likely retaliation from the other team).

A pitcher should earn a no-hitter by retiring hitters that are doing their best to reach base. It’s a matter of integrity.

Along those lines, something Joe Posnanski tweeted today made think about the unwritten rule frowning upon messing with big moments. Posnanski mentioned he watched film of Milt Pappas’ controversial walk in his infamous bid for a perfect game in 1972. Perfect games are a big deal in MLB. With two outs in the 9th inning and a 3-2 count, had the pitch been called a strike the game would have been over and Pappas would have thrown just the 10th perfect game in MLB history. But home plate umpire Bruce Froemming called the pitch outside for ball four. Video evidence suggests very strongly that Froemming was right (I have not seen this tape, but Posnanski said it looked like a ball).  Froemming has been adamant that the call was accurate. Pappas has insisted it was a strike.

I looked up some details about the story today, and my least favorite unwritten rule was invoked. Speaking years after the event Froemming mentioned that Pappas said to him after the event: “I know the pitch was outside, but you could have given it to me.” He felt entitled.

Recently an interviewer asked Pappas if he would like MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to reverse the call and award him a perfect game, Pappas responded with: “You’re [expletive] right, but it’s never going to happen.” My question is, why would you want to be credited with something that wasn’t legitimately earned?

Why do seven or more innings of no-hit baseball suddenly place a pitcher above the rules? The game is bigger than a moment. There’s nothing cheap about a bunt hit, a broken bat single, or a walk on a pitch that misses the strike zone.

The trouble with unwritten rules is that they’re difficult to erase. [1]

[1] I feel like I saw a similar phrase quoted somewhere recently, but I can’t find it.

A Glimpse of Baseballtown: Reading, PA

It is interesting how a place and an experience can become so treasured. Visiting Reading, PA to watch baseball is high on my list of favorite things to do. The combination of nostalgia and entertainment is wonderful. Last night I visited Reading to watch Game 2 of the Eastern League Division Series. I went early, like I usually do. Here are some pictures of the sights around and in the ballpark, to give you a glimpse of why I love this place.

First Energy Stadium is one of the rare ballparks I have visited that has free parking. The only parking that has a cost is the small reserved parking right by the stadium. The majority of cars park in lots behind the ballpark or in commercial factory lots along North Front Street. I always turn onto Bern Street off of Centre Avenue, then turn onto Pear Street. Pear Street has no official outlet, but it connects to a commercial parking lot that is close to the stadium. The true value of this location, however, is upon exiting. You can avoid the traffic right at the ballpark, and there is a traffic light at Bern Street and Centre Avenue to make the left turn manageable.

No outlet, but good parking for baseball.

I parked shortly after 5pm yesterday, so factory workers headed home for the day were leaving the commercial lot as I was arriving. Beside the lot that I usually park in there is a curious structure that has fascinated me for years. It looks like a single row of horse stalls, but it houses cars. I enjoy making up stories to explain its presence.

The curious covered parking.

Another curious building beside the lot houses the Steeler Fellowship Club. It is a squat, brick building. Who are they? What do they do? And isn’t that a cool window on the side of the building?

The Steeler Fellowship Club in Reading, PA.

Walking to the ballpark involves crossing the railroad tracks. This is one of my favorite stretches of sidewalk on earth. You can hear the stadium public address system in the distance, brief glimpses of the park appear through the trees, and fans and ballpark employees mill around.

The walk to the ballpark.

And then suddenly the ballpark sits in front of you, a happy sight.

First Energy Stadium in Reading, PA.

A large dog tag sits in front of the stadium.

The big dog tag in front of the stadium.

First Energy Stadium used to be Reading Memorial Municipal Stadium when I first started going to games. Plaques on the left side of the front of the stadium honor some of the persons instrumental in building and maintaining the park.

Plaques on the front wall of the stadium.

The brick courtyard in front of the stadium has special bricks commemorating the honorary annual King or Queen of Baseballtown. These are individuals who have played a large role in baseball in Reading.

I don’t think the nickname Cooter is as popular as it used to be.

Additional bricks in the courtyard honor players inducted into the Reading Phillies Hall of Fame. On the right side of the courtyard is the main gate that goes into the stadium. In the picture below, the ticket-taker in light blue to the right of the guy in the red 24 shirt is Neale Bechtel. He has worked at the stadium since 1967! He is very friendly and a delight to talk to.

The main gate into the ballpark.

Upon entering the park you find yourself in the VIST Financial Plaza. Food and merchandise are available for purchase. As game time grows close this area will be full of fans.

The VIST Financial Plaza.

A stage sits in the center of the plaza. It frequently hosts pregame happy hour concerts. At some point during the game there are sometimes kids activities held at the stage. Concerts, including the mascot band, often take place postgame.

The Weston Center Winning Smiles Stage in the plaza, with a pregame concert in full swing.

The plaza hosts a kids zone with a miniature golfing course and various other games. On the far end of the plaza is the entrance to the Reading Eagle Pool Pavillion. Some great wall art lines the back of the right field bleachers on the side of the plaza. It contains large pictures of former players, newspaper articles, and programs form the past (the section dedicated to Mike Schmidt is excellent).

In the stadium concourse there are team photos on the wall.

Team photos from the past on the concourse.

The Reading baseball tradition is celebrated, dating back to the beginning as a Cleveland Indians affiliate in the 1950s.

Notes about the Reading baseball tradition.

I really like the old signs, bunting, and banners that decorate the concourse. Even the restroom signs are cool.

The signs on the concourse are throwbacks.

The concourse at First Energy Stadium.

Along the left field wall of the stadium there is a tribute to players from the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies team that played substantial time in Reading as they were developing. I saw all of them play here: Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz, Pat Burrell, Brett Myers, Chris Coste, and Ryan Madsen.

A tribute to members of the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies that played in Reading.

Along the left field side of the stadium there is the Fairground Square Mall Picnic Area and several food stands. Dingers Bar is located beyond the outfield wall, with the Coors Light Deck and boardwalk next door.

A view from Dingers Bar in left field.

There are many other features of the park I did not photograph. The pool pavilion in right field, the main scoreboard in left center field, the press box, a close up of the grandstand, the charming advertisements around on the outfield wall, and so much more. Just in case I did not make myself clear–I think this park is wonderful.

A few final photos before I close:

Last week I noticed that the ostrich the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor rides looked depressed. I decided to see how it looked last night.

How does the bird look?

A weary bird?

My photos were inconclusive, but I think the bird is ready for the off season. If the eyes are the window into the soul, than this bird needs a vacation and a few words of affirmation.

The candy villain is a regular at the ballpark. He wanders through the crowd the inning before the mascot vegetable race, yelling things like: “Eat more candy!” and “Candy is good!” and “Down with vegetables!” During the vegetable race Candy will tackle a vegetable and do his best to cause mayhem. It is entertaining. Behold Candy:

Candy revels in the jeers of the crowd.

Candy watches the vegetables race down the outfield line, preparing to tackle the leader, on this night it was Carrot.

After the race a closing line is delivered over the PA system: “Remember kids, vegetables are good! Candy is bad! Eat more vegetables!” You don’t see many vegetable vendors in the park. Candy might have lost this race, but he won the war.

The R-Phils lost a close game to Trenton last night. The winning run was scored with two outs in the 9th inning. All of the rest of the series will be played in Trenton (Trenton won earlier tonight, placing the R-Phils on the brink of elimination).

I love baseball.

Postseason Baseball in Reading

I’ve been a baseball fan since my childhood, yet before tonight I had never attended a postseason baseball game. When the Reading Phillies secured a play-off berth this year I realized it was the perfect opportunity to remedy my glaring personal deficiency. Instead of buying a ticket to a single game I bought the full play-off package. As long as Reading is playing at First Energy Stadium this year I’ll be watching them from Yellow Box 1, Row C, Seat 1.

Tonight was Game 1 of the Eastern League Division Series. The R-Phils played the Trenton Thunder, an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Both starters cruised through the first three innings. In the top of the 4th the Thunder took a 2-0 lead. Brett Marshall started for Trenton, and he threw four innings of no-hit baseball. And then Jake Fox led off the 5th inning with a long home run to left. The Phils would add another run on a ground out, tying the game. Things broke open in the 7th, with back-to-back solo homers providing a 4-2 Phillies lead. Justin Friend threw a scoreless 9th to pick up the save (he had a 0.23 ERA in 40 IP during the regular season, with 24 saves!).

 

Play-off baseball under the lights.

I’ll be back for Game 2 tomorrow night, and I’ll take my camera. . .

Hoping to Witness Records in Reading

Three days ago Darin Ruf tied Ryan Howard’s Reading Phillies single season home run record at 37. Justin Friend, the R-Phil closer, also had 23 saves–one shy of the single season franchise record shared by Wayne Gomes and Toby Borland. Thus, the past two evenings I have been in First Energy Stadium in Reading, PA to watch the final two home games of the regular season.

On Wednesday night the Reading team awards ceremony was held before the game. Both Ruf and Friend took home hardware, with Ruf being named team MVP. In the game Ruf went 2 for 2 with a double, a single, and two walks. There was a lot of suspense and drama throughout the night. The R-Phils lost, eliminating any chance for Friend to pick up a save.

On Thursday night Ruf was presented with the Eastern League MVP award before the game, as well as the Rookie of the Year award. He gave a nice speech thanking his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and the fans.

Ruf with the Eastern League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards.

Binghamton had a hard throwing left handed starter, which made me feel optimistic about Ruf’s chances. In his first at bat he didn’t get anything good to hit. I began to fear he would be pitched around. Then in his second at bat two runners were on with two outs. Ruf got ahead in the count. And then he launched a ball far into the dark night.

The follow through as the ball soars into the night.

It took less than a second for me to realize he had just hit number 38. It was a question of whether or not it would clear the outfield bleachers, not if it would clear the fence. It landed in the very back of the left field bleachers. The crowd was louder than I have ever heard it in Reading. Standing ovation. Joy.

Little doubt–that ball is destined for the seats.

That joy translated to the field. The players seemed thrilled for Ruf.  They were all smiling and celebrating.

Lots of joy.

All the players came out onto the field. The game was briefly paused to award Ruf a bat that had been spray painted silver to mark the occasion. He’ll be getting a silver or pewter one after the season ends–the spray painted bat is just a body double.

The silver stand-in bat.

In his next at bat Ruf hit a ball to the wall that was caught. He got another standing ovation.

Reading had a 7-2 lead going into the 9th inning. Things got interesting when the Mets loaded the bases with one out. With the tying run on the on deck circle it became a save situation, and Justin Friend came into the game. He warmed up, then promptly induced a double play ground ball. Game over. Save record tied.

Justin Friend prepares to deliver the final pitch of the game.

I really enjoyed spending the last two nights at the ballpark. To make things even better, I sat next to old baseball fans both nights. I got to hear stories about Greg Luzinski, Mike Schmidt, and other players from the past.

Reading is always entertaining, and the staples were there. The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor.

The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor and his depressed ostrich (seriously, look into that bird’s eyes–life is not good).

The racing vegetables. I think the vegetable races at Reading are the most competitive novelty races I have seen at a ballpark. The interns are serious about winning.

Fast vegetables.

And of course, Neal the Singing Usher belting out Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the 7th inning stretch. He has been working at the ballpark since 1967!

Neal Bechtel, the famous Singing Usher at Reading.

Good times.

My First Visit to Comerica Park in Detroit

Last Saturday I visited Comerica Park after seeing The Henry Ford (see previous post). The Detroit Tigers were playing the Cleveland Indians. I arrived early, found parking, and walked to the ballpark. The tiger statues in front of the park impressed me. They are fierce.

The tiger welcomes you to Comerica Park, or not.

At the box office I purchased a ticket, then walked into the ballpark. I stood on the edge of the concourse and watched batting practice while talking baseball and ballparks with an usher for 5 minutes. During that conversation I shot this panorama:

A panorama of Comerica Park during batting practice.

I walked a loop around the ballpark. Many people were standing around the player statues behind center field. I worked my way through the crowd to see them up close. I wanted to photograph the Ty Cobb statue in particular. Ty Cobb was a fascinating person and ballplayer. He was brilliant, determined, competitive, nasty, and mean.

Ty Cobb slides, cleats high.

My seat was behind the plate, probably the best seat I have ever had for an MLB game. I sat beside a longtime Cleveland Indians fan from Ohio. Our conversation ebbed and flowed throughout the night.

Doug Fister warms up before the start of the game.

When I bought my ticket I asked the person at the box office for a seat with a great view of the park and the city. He definitely made a good recommendation.

The view from my seat.

The game was cruising along, when suddenly I felt a drop of rain hit my arm. “Maybe it will pass” I thought. And for a moment it seemed like that was the case. Then came the deluge. Like a hose turned full blast. In moments I was completely soaked. As people tried to get to the concourse a massive human traffic jam occurred in the aisles. I put my camera bag under my seat and just sat in the rain till the aisle cleared. Resistance was futile. By the time I walked to the concourse I looked like I had jumped into a pool.

Despite its initial gusto, the storm was short-lived. Soon the grounds crew was back at work, getting the field ready to go.

The grounds crew works on the infield after the tarp has been pulled to the outfield.

The delay lasted a total of 37 minutes. Not bad at all.

The tarp is rolled up; the pitcher warms up.

Prince Fielder has a couple of hits for the Tigers. I was impressed at how much he hustled on the base paths, especially compared to Miguel Cabrera (on this night Cabrera put forth the least effort on the bases of any MLB player I have ever seen, it was disgraceful).

Prince Fielder gets a fist bump after getting a hit.

One highlight of the night was seeing the opera hot dog vendor.

The opera hot dog vendor at Comerica Park.

Every time he walked by people would comment on his unique sales pitch. The dominant opinion was favorable. One ballpark employee, however, was not in agreement. “Just listen to it every night” he said, “It gets old, very old.” See it for yourself:

Detroit starting pitcher Doug Fister was throwing a perfect game for 5 2/3 innings. But a triple ended that. There was a total of four triples hit in the game, two for each team. The Tigers led from the 2nd inning until the end, winning by a 6-1 score. For being that lopsided it was a very exciting game thanks to the suspense over the tease of a perfect game and all the triples.

Baseball under the lights.

After the game a fireworks show was scheduled. I walked to my car to the sound of explosions. Soon I was on the road–driving for home. The storm that had only delayed the game for 37 minutes hit Michigan and Ohio with a fury moments after the game ended. I saw the most intense lightening I have ever seen during that all night drive. Just epic.

It was a long day. A good day.