I respect your opinion but will forever disagree. Teaching players at any level that deception or "lieing" is okay because it is for the good of the team is still a bad message in my world. What was good for the team? A win?? At what cost? Do you want your players to lie to you? Probably not. I just dont buy into the fact that winning at any cost in athletics is a good focus. If you cant win without "lieing" or "cheating", then you were beat by a better team. For me, teaching the kids to win or lose strictly on their ability of the moment is a better message and would make for a far better example in all of life than watching a pro athelete get away with "lieing" and being applauded for doing so.
Just curious, in your opinion, how is faking getting hit by a pitch to be awarded first base not dishonorable or lacking in integrity??
IMO the umpire made the call, immdediately. How did Jeter's actions infuence the umpire? And, again, cite a precedent for telling an umpire his call was incorrect. Where do you draw this line? "No, sir....that was a strike. I wanna hit"?
Pretty simple, he could have told the ump that the ball hit the end of the bat. Then it's up to the ump. I have actually seen it happen because the kid really wanted to hit the ball. He was allowed to stay at the plate and got a hit. Now, Little League and MLB are not the same, but I wish the sportsmanship and honor of the game could be similar.
Was he hit? Did he act hit? Did he mention the fact that he wasnt hit? I just dont like that part of the game, matter of opinion. I just feel like there is a lot of poor character revealed in athletics that has become widely accepted as just part of the game and reasoned to be "okay" because after all, they were just trying to win a game.
Was he hit? No. Did he act hit? Sure. So will 100% of anyone who ever comes close to getting hit with a 90+mph thrown ball. It's a reflex reaction. And, the call was made before Jeter knew if he'd been hit, or not. How many times will Jeter get hit and not receive his award? You think it doesn't even out over the course of a season/career? I'd say I got hosed 5X for every call I had come "my way". NO WAY I check the teeth on the gift horse.
When I played, when an ump made a call that was it. Hell, there were times I was trying to tell them I didn't get hit (even when I did) that they wouldn't reverse their call. Isn't Jeter one of the better hitters (for average) on the team? IMO, you don't want them taking a HBP, you want them swinging.
Far different world from the PGA where players call minor rules infractions on themselves. Just seems like when a "team" is involved, morality is skewed. Maybe things will change during the Ryder Cup?? lol
I agree that when the pitch hit the end of the bat he probably thought he got hit. I also agree whole hartedly with Fletch.
Good observation. You have mastered the obvious. Why not use the remainder of my quote that completed my thought and how it relates to "team".??
When they figure out a way (and implement it) to reverse EVERY time the umpires are wrong......we'll live in a perfect utopian baseball world (for some folks). And, I probably won't watch it, then.
Really, you wouldn't want to know the outcome of a contest based purely on athletic abiltiy? Interesting.
I'll argue that until I'm blue in the face. There's winners and losers in the world. There is no over selling being a winner (at any level). Anything else is simple rah rah soccer mom politically correct BS. It's that simple. Seriously? Just tell the ump it hit the bat? Ok ... how about just tell the ump the pitch he just called a strike was an inch outside. Or the ball down the 3rd baseline called fair was actually foul? Let's just let the players dictate the calls. It's the umps call. There is no redo. Like Jeter said... they told me to go to first so I went. You honestly think if Jeter said it didn't hit him the ump was going to reverse it? Give me a break.-
I'll say it again. Of course if he is awarded first he shouldn't say a word and go. My biggest problem was how he acted when he wasn't actually hit. And then after the game he admits it. I just thought of him as a player above the "acting".
A 90mph fastball is coming at you. It's very clear (and you're probably thinking) it's going to hit your hands. The only other thing it could hit would be the ... 1 1/2 inch butt of that bat? How would you react? Even if it didnt' hit you, but bracing for the impact. This whole thing is just freaking ridiculous. Whats more crazy is for some reason that I'll never quite understand is everyone is acting like this is the first time it's happened in the history of baseball. Jeter just invented something thats never happened. Unreal.
Fine! Just run to 1st and be done with it. Quit acting like your in pain and it hurt. I heard him admit that it didn't hurt his hand from the vibration of the bat getting hit. As far as it happening before....I'm sure it has but not sure I've heard anyone admit to it.
For you guys stating that we should win with "honor" etc...the yankees pay this guy 189 million over 10 years...they pay him to win at all costs, not be the feel good story of the year. Honest, polite, it is ok to win or loose as long as we play fair...know what that gets you in the pros....early retirement. Fletch, I agree with you and what you are doing with the kids. You are building the future for the fabric of society...doctors, lawyers, teachers, coaches etc...and from what I gather doing a damn fine job...Jeter had someone do that for him as well, that is the reason he has dated EVERY fine model, movie actress' on the planet and never had a domestic dispute, no illigitamte (sp) kids, no drama, jail time etc...But do not be fooled, if one of those kids your are grooming to be great adults finds himself playing major league baseball for the money these guys do, with 1000000000 people vying for your job day in and day out, and a situation such as this comes up, you might just find yourself dissapointed in them as well.
