The more I try and watch it, the more I HATE Major League Baseball

[RTSDaddy2]

There was a time growing up when I couldn't get enough of it.  But as if it isn't bad enough that many players recently have been caught with their hands in the steroid jar, the umpires are just as shady.  Watching the Braves / Giants tonight, in the 9th, saw a Braves player get a called strike on a ball 90 miles outside any strike zone I've ever seen....the little pitch placer radar even showed the same thing. 

Ok, yes, Braves fan - but you know what? I tend to look at things from both sides of the coin a LOT more than when I was younger, and YES, I would have said the same thing if the Giants had gotten that call.  It wasn't just bad, it was hideously bad, and NEITHER  team should have to endure such junk.

What is it with MLB?  They need a replay system but don't want it.  That's akin to the umps saying "I'm ALWAYS right so  on it."  And I am just flat out tired of hearing how if a pitcher gets that call early they'll make it all night for the guy.  Isn't that tatamount to cheating?  Who paid who under the table?

America's pastime has become America's biggest joke. Period.

[upprc04]

Just like all the traveling/no calls/ticky tack fouls called in the favor of NBA all stars.

Or all the holding that goes on every play in the NFL and is not called.

It sounds like the umpire was being consistent all night according to your post.  All sports have judgment calls and all you can ask is for consistency.  Why not remove all umpires and just have computers make every call.  Then again why not just have all players replaced my robots who can make the best decision and play 100% of the time.  A pitcher who is pitching well will normally get the benefit of the doubt and its the batters job to do whatever necessary to get on base.  I'm sorry the braves lost, but it sounds like Lincecum pitched a hell of a game.

[Hoopz]

The sport's never done much for me, and I've been to several games.

 

At least it's a little more fun in person compared to sitting at home watching it on tv.  But I still find it to be very boring.

[Ginsu Victim]

I was a fan in the 80s, and I like the atmosphere of going to the games better, but I haven't cared about MLB for a very long time and I never watch it at home.

[javeryh]

I don't know - I love baseball.  There's nothing like playoff baseball where an entire game can turn on one pitch and the pressure is like 100 times what it is in the regular season.

[Hoopz]

I don't know - I love baseball.  There's nothing like playoff baseball where an entire game can turn on one pitch and the pressure is like 100 times what it is in the regular season.

Snooze fest!    

Baseball is just about as boring as soccer. 

[upprc04]

How many baseball games end in a tie?  (Ignore the All Star game a couple years ago )

Now, how many Soccer games result in a tie?  At least there is always (99.9999999% of the time) a winner/loser in baseball.  I agree it's a lot better in person.

[Mikezilla]

Yeah but cmon!? Arent there 162 games in a damn baseball season? Not to mention the season lasts for ages, their off season is like 2 weeks. Thats why I like football, all the games are relevant.

 I dunno, I cant stand watching it on TV, but I like going to games. Thats a lot more fun and interactive. Its so freakin expensive though. I took my girlfriend to a Padres game and I spent 75 bucks. Just the two of us, tickets to get in, a few beers, and some nachos. Bam. 75 bucks.

The beers were domestic too. 

As going back to judging, try being a MMA fan. Half the time the judges are boxing judges, and dont even know what the hell is going on, let alone score a fight. It sucks, but hey. Its part of the sport.

[Ginsu Victim]

Its so freakin expensive though.

I sit in $15 seats and still have a good view. I know Texas Rangers Stadium lets people bring outside food and drinks, but I don't know about other ballparks.

As going back to judging, try being a MMA fan. Half the time the judges are boxing judges, and dont even know what the hell is going on, let alone score a fight. It sucks, but hey. Its part of the sport.

Judging in MMA is such a joke. Something needs to be done, but even then, we'd gripe about the new scoring.

[JMB]

I took my girlfriend to a Padres game and I spent 75 bucks. Just the two of us, tickets to get in, a few beers, and some nachos. Bam. 75 bucks.
 

That's a bargain! Parking at Fenway eats up 1/2 that budget.

[Mikezilla]

sit in $15 seats and still have a good view. I know Texas Rangers Stadium lets people bring outside food and drinks, but I don't know about other ballparks.

See thats cool, I wish the ---daisies--- at petco would do that. You even attempt to bring in anything and they beat you down and make you throw it away. I tried to sneak a burrito in and they made me throw it out. 

Judging in MMA is such a joke. Something needs to be done, but even then, we'd gripe about the new scoring.

Agreed, but something needs to be done, its amazing how badly some of these fights get scored. I know this is unrelated to scoring, but reffing(sp?) is awful too. Im still pissed off that Brock Lesnar "won" his fight. Any other fights head bouncing on the mat would call for stoppage.

That's a bargain! Parking at Fenway eats up 1/2 that budget.

Damn thats nuts. Our football stadium is like that. You could park for free by petco, but you would either get harassed by a bunch of homeless people, or get stabbed. Its better to just pay the 10 bucks to park in one of the structures. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Astros weren't, IIRC.

That stinks. Man, when I lived in Houston in the late 80s, we could get outfield seats for $4.

[Ed_McCarron]

My dog (with a broken leg...) came back from the vet like this today:

[DaveMMR]

I like baseball, but I can't sit there and watch it from beginning to end.  I read somewhere that the actual "play time" of a 3-hour game is around 9 minutes.  So, basically, you are just watching 2 hours and 51 minutes of anticipation.

[hypernova]

I like baseball, but I can't sit there and watch it from beginning to end.  I read somewhere that the actual "play time" of a 3-hour game is around 9 minutes.  So, basically, you are just watching 2 hours and 51 minutes of anticipation.

I seriously doubt it is THAT low.  Maybe 15-20, for a game of about 7 runs scored.  Heck, it very well could be that low for a 1-0 no-hitter.

It does bring up a good point though:

In this increasingly immediate gratification society, when so many are calling for a faster game of baseball, almost nothing is being done.  Sure, apparently Selig (moron) has made a few MINOR changes, but that Reds/Phillies game last night just felt so damn long (and what a debacle for the Reds).  I think playoff games take even longer, if I'm not mistaken.

So will baseball attendance slowly erode (even more so) because of the lack of patience becoming the norm for the coming generations?  Too many games.  A sport that NEEDS ties, yet doesn't have them (and that's compounded by the excessive games reason).  Time between pitches ungodly.  Batter and pitcher "timeouts".  Long times between pitcher changes.  Just about everything about the sport is a bore-fest.  The only excitement is when a batter makes contact, and that feeling is fleeting.  It only truly gets exciting when there's a question of whether a runner can advance/score off a hit.

I can watch baseball...as long as I'm doing something else.  Only watched the Reds game last night because I was with some friends playing Pitch.

I find basketball increasingly annoying for the lack of rules enforcement on ball carriers, but at least it's ongoing action (except the last two minutes of a game. )  Hockey is nonstop as well, with the added physical attribute.  Football is sporadic because of the time between plays, but I think that problem is mitigated by the fact that it's physical, and the plays tend to last longer than a play in baseball.

Edit:  Let's add soccer.  America finds it boring.  Why?  Basically a few seconds of exciting play, joined by boring back-and-forth play between the teams.  I can watch soccer as well, as long as I'm doing something else, like baseball.

I predict that baseball's popularity will slowly decay, as it has been for years because of all this.  Unless they make changes, I just don't think it'll be able to hold America's interest.

[DaveMMR]

I seriously doubt it is THAT low.  Maybe 15-20, for a game of about 7 runs scored.  Heck, it very well could be that low for a 1-0 no-hitter.

My source was some trivia book from the 1980's and I referenced it off the top of my head.   But the more recent answer I found is closer to your estimate for a recent (2000) playoff game and closer to mine based on a game played in 1956.  Here is a link:

http://ask.yahoo.com/20060810.html

EDIT: Forgot how "averages" worked in my original posts.

[danny_galaga]

Caught a bit of baseball by accident while channel surfing once. Must hold the record of the fattest 'athletes' of any sport 

[Ginsu Victim]

Caught a bit of baseball by accident while channel surfing once. Must hold the record of the fattest 'athletes' of any sport 

Ring ring......ring ring.....

Answer the phone.....

Sumo wrestlers want to talk to you....

[hypernova]

Don't forget the O-Line and D-Line in football.

[danny_galaga]

Caught a bit of baseball by accident while channel surfing once. Must hold the record of the fattest 'athletes' of any sport 

Ring ring......ring ring.....

Answer the phone.....

Sumo wrestlers want to talk to you....

I reckon it would be a close call. At least sumo wrestlers get exercise...

[ahofle]

To me, baseball is boring to watch unless your team is in the playoffs.  And then it is one of the best sports to watch IMO.  
Same thing with basketball.  I can't watch it if I don't care much about the teams.  9 times out of 10 when I turn on a basketball game, play is stopped or someone is at the free throw line.  Ice hockey and football are two sports I can enjoy watching even if I don't have an interest in one of the teams.

[Mikezilla]

Sumo wrestlers want to talk to you....

I heard that Japan might be disbanding the sport of Sumo because of a bunch of controversies with the "coaches", and a bunch of illegal activities by the wrestlers themselves.

Dont even get me started on basketball. I cant stand the whole foul system. Nothing pisses me off more when some dude grazes someone then the fall, and skid across the ground acting like they got hit by a car. Its retarded.

Hey! I was on the O-Line and Im not fat! 

Thats why my faves are MMA and football. Granted, MMA can still be boring too, but they get them to work, and if they dont, the longest fight is only 25 minutes, sooo meh. It just costs a lot 

[massive88]

Don't forget the O-Line and D-Line in football.

They have a lot of mass, I dont know if you could really call them fat in the traditional sense as that implies out of shape.

Your average DT has a faster 40 time than you would think for a man that size.  Oline can get away with being "fat" more than D-line can, but even they would surprise you with how fast then can move.

Fat people don't make NFL teams, everyone is an athlete.

[amendonz]

Never was into baseball as a kid, don't really have it in new zealand, although some do play the pisspoor alternative softball. I love it as an adult tho, i've only really watched for about 4 years but it's great, but I did learn patience for sport watching cricket tests that go for 5 days only to result in draws (far better than it sounds)  
 
Not sure the point I was making here. Just that baseball is a sweet sport if you have the patience.  
 
Nba basketball is my favorite sport i'd say. Can't wait for this season. Not long now.
 
My teams: nuggets, huge fan of melo since the ncaa tourny for syracuse.
 
Thunder, durant and westbrook really great young players I think they might even break top 4 in the west.
 
And can't forget about the heat. They formed voltron! Say what you will about the decision I think it's awesome.
 
In baseball I don't really have a favorite team but I am a pujols fan so the cards by default, like watching the yankees too since they're so stacked.

[Spyridon]

I'm a Phillies fan.  I've been loving baseball the last few years!

[pointdablame]

I'm a Phillies fan.  I've been loving baseball the last few years!

Did you love it last year?

[hypernova]

They have a lot of mass, I dont know if you could really call them fat in the traditional sense as that implies out of shape.

Your average DT has a faster 40 time than you would think for a man that size.  Oline can get away with being "fat" more than D-line can, but even they would surprise you with how fast then can move.

Fat people don't make NFL teams, everyone is an athlete.

Oh, don't be so literal...."Massive" people wouldn't be in any sport unless they could perform at a required level.

[Benevolance]

Hey! Don't knock the sumo!

[massive88]

They have a lot of mass, I dont know if you could really call them fat in the traditional sense as that implies out of shape.

Your average DT has a faster 40 time than you would think for a man that size.  Oline can get away with being "fat" more than D-line can, but even they would surprise you with how fast then can move.

Fat people don't make NFL teams, everyone is an athlete.

Oh, don't be so literal...."Massive" people wouldn't be in any sport unless they could perform at a required level.

Right, and that level of overall athleticism is higher in professional football, especially D-lineman.  I guarantee you D-Lineman are more in shape then the heavy set baseball players, even if they look fatter.  That is my point.  Judging them from their size alone ignores the fact that they are pretty damn fit.

Its also the reason so many of them have problems once they stop playing, because they are used to maintaining their huge size and still being fairly healthy due to their exercise regime.  Then they stop working out, keep the same size, and put huge strain on their body because of it.

One of these guys could outrun most people in a 40 yard dash, as well as out jump, lift, and whatever other test, despite them having similar guts.  Which do you think it is?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

I've yet to find a team or professional sport that would maintain my interest for any length of time, however years ago always found professional wrestling to be entertaining. To me it combined the appreciation of physical prowess along with a melodramatic story arc. Of course as with any plot line it did tend to be a little predictable, but attending a live show was always fun as there was always the element of audience participation beyond cheering, such as the various call and response gags.

[Ginsu Victim]

I quit watching wrestling once Vince squashed all the competition (around 2000).

Now I just live in the past. I got a 1997 ECW TV taping poster in the mail yesterday. Check out the return address (from The Blue Meanie):

[hypernova]

Right, and that level of overall athleticism is higher in professional football, especially D-lineman.  I guarantee you D-Lineman are more in shape then the heavy set baseball players, even if they look fatter.  That is my point.  Judging them from their size alone ignores the fact that they are pretty damn fit.

Its also the reason so many of them have problems once they stop playing, because they are used to maintaining their huge size and still being fairly healthy due to their exercise regime.  Then they stop working out, keep the same size, and put huge strain on their body because of it.

One of these guys could outrun most people in a 40 yard dash, as well as out jump, lift, and whatever other test, despite them having similar guts.  Which do you think it is?

(pic removed because it's a few posts above.)

OK...you seem to be missing the fact that I'm not serious about football players being fat, out of shape balls of lard.  I was just lumping them in (pun fully intended) with fat people because they look fat.  I'm fully aware of their 40 times.  I see them constantly run down a QB 100 pounds lighter than them.

But in the offseason, some of them do let themselves go a tad.

[amendonz]

That video from blue meanie is awesome.
 
Blue world order!
 
Edit: somehow read taping poster as video. Uh the tape bit threw me off..

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Im in the background of a pic in ECW magazine issue #1

[DeLuSioNal29]

I guess I'll jump in right here.  I love baseball.  I actually prefer to watch it at home.  Why? For the great commentary, 50" of HDTV picture and surround sound.  Feels like you're there.  Only better.  I must admit I love the stats and facts that they throw at you too.  Can't get that at the stadium.  Oh, and it's a lot cheaper too.  Although I have attended comp tix games due to my cousin.  (read more below)

But I have to say, I'm a bit biased since I grew up playing baseball and exceled in it.  It's in my family Genes I guess.  My cousin is actually still in the MLB.  Dave Martinez of the Rays (Bench coach), but he played for years before that, including the Braves (pic attached for RTSDaddy2 -  ).  Which makes it tough to be a fan of his team since they rival my fav team, The Yankees.



As for the replay thing.  I'd love to see it take full effect.  But I think there should be a limit.  Say 3 times per game or something, kinda like time-outs in other sports.

Don't get me wrong I like Football too (only the Superbowl since it's exciting - most of the time).  But I'm sticking to baseball for obvious reasons.

[Ginsu Victim]

That video from blue meanie is awesome.
 
Blue world order!
 
Edit: somehow read taping poster as video. Uh the tape bit threw me off..

Here's the poster. It's not framed in this pic, but I do have it framed now (next to my autographed picture of Terry Funk with Sabu).

[amendonz]

Sweet. Rvd still one of my favorites. I saw raven couple years ago fighting the new zealand champ at a high school. Was pretty sad sight.

[Mikezilla]

"First they were Raw, now THEIR extreme"

Haha thats awesome. 

[Ginsu Victim]

"First they were Raw, now THEIR extreme"

Haha thats awesome. 

Oh man....I hadn't even noticed. That's hilarious.

[patm95]

Yeah I am not big on any major sports anymore really.  Watching them on TV doesn't do much for me and I can't motivate myself to pay to go see a game because you can't really get in and out of there for under 100 bucks.  And all of that goes into paying their multimillion dollar salaries.