The people who run the International Baseball Federation have lost their minds -- or perhaps their souls. The world body has decreed some changes in the sacred game for the Olympics. From an Associated Press story:
Extra innings will have a new look in what could be baseball’s last Olympic appearance. Each team’s at-bat in the 11th inning and beyond will begin with runners on first and second bases. Teams may start the 11th at any point in their batting order under format changes announced Friday by the International Baseball Federation and adopted in time for next month’s Beijing Games. For example, a team that opts to lead off with its No. 3 hitter would begin with its No. 1 batter on second base and its No. 2 hitter on first with no outs.
Baseball (and softball) are making their last appearance in the Olympics, no doubt to make room for such worthy sports as demolition ice dancing and team ballroom dancing. But if this is the way they're going to treat baseball, who needs the Olympics?
sounds like T-ball for grown ups.
We shall find out through the Bible, like most everything else in this beehive.com. Cynical? Yea.
Well I've got an answer you probably don't want to hear. Why not? They're only doing it to expedite games a little so why not. I for one think it would probably add more excitement. Put more pressure on. I've played sports all of my life and as an athlete you rise to the occasion, you don't sit and whine because it's not the way you want. After all, doesn't the inning become more exciting and more intense once there are two on and no outs? Don't strategies now have to step it up a notch? This new rule just cuts to the chase, so to speak. I like it, the pressure is on once you step onto the field....how are you going to handle it?
The whole world should switch off the telly and send a clear message to China, that we are not buying into their con job by having the Olympics held there.
A dark day for the Olympic Movement, almost as dark as the Olympics that were held in Berlin by the Nazis.
SHAME
I am most confident hat there was nothing wrong with the 1936 Olympiad
in Berlin other than the Nazis. Germany (then) was technologically advanced
to most nations, the Germans are meticulously clean, and the American Jesse Owens went home with four gold medals. I know
next to nothing about the
subtleties of baseball.
do many people care about olympic baseball? i don't know if most baseball fans in america do.
while i can't say that i'll care about whatever sport they bring in to replace these sports, i won't feel much of a lose for them either. it seems that most people watch the summer olympics for one of three things: gymnastics; swimming; track. everything else is filler.
I tend to agree Ed. It doesn't get a lot of coverage, although I was looking forward to seeing extra innings start with 2 on and no one out.
At any rate, something I've always thought of, baseball is for the most part an American game so it seemed a little unfair that it would be an Olympic sport in the first place. Sure other countries play it a little (it's big in Japan) but it's still pretty much our game. We play a little rugby here in the states but if they put rugby or cricket in the Olympics, who would dominate those sports?
To the post "Scot"
I was not aware that baseball is peculiarly American. My five year old came home with the blue ribbon she had won in a Yo-Yo contest. Many years later she too is laughing about it because
she had been the only contestant.
I believe that the Olympiad is in China is the real heresy. My friends visited China last year. They loved it, except breathing was very difficult.
The athletes running, jumping swimming and what have you in that mucky
air may be hazardous to lung and limb. Or is it all indoor??
Some indoor and some outdoor. Yes, the air quality has been a big factor in preparation and in training by the athletes.
Aside from the unfortunate and disastrous earthquake, the air quality, etc., there's still another battle they are fighting. Have you heard the stories of the algae growth at the sailing venue?
Story here.
As for baseball, I'm sure you're aware it was invented here and it's always been "America's game" as in "Baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet." My wife and I go around and around about the term "World Series" when there are only American teams (and one from Canada) in Major League Baseball.
Soccer is very young in this country and we are usually outplayed by the world teams who take soccer very seriously, and have for a lot longer than we've been playing, although we have done well recently. When we win in soccer, it's the feeling of David beating Goliath. The same feeling for the other countries who beat us in baseball.
I was aware that baseball was invented here. But I thought it had taken roots everywhere by now. Since it has not, has any country ever beat the USA?
And what about the algae?
Is it going to hamper?
I am not a sailor, but at least I understand it. The game I am avoiding to watch
is football. Those players look like something from an alien planet that is barren of aesthetics as we humans know it.
Baseball has been primarily and exhibition sport at the Olympics since the early part of the 20th century. It didn't begin as an official sport until the Barcelona games in 1992.
As far as your question about anyone beating the U.S., I knew Cuba had but I had to go investigate. I found this link which will give you some background and a medal count. I was surprised at the results, but then again, only amateurs are allowed to play. I'm sure our pros would fair much better.
Not sure what the latest on the algae situation is but I read somewhere that the U.S. team was practicing in the muck just in case it is an issue.
You'll be pleased to know that American football has never been an Olympic sport, and not so pleased to know it's what I've played and loved the most. I had to laugh at your analogy. I'm not really THAT scary, but my girls all think I'm a bit of a giant and teddy bear all in one.
Teddy bears are nice.