Pace of Play: What Does Speed Mean in Baseball?

Our society loves speed. In a world of instant gratification things like fast food, immediate access and high speed internet reign supreme. These one time amenities have morphed into needs, in some cases probably falling into the hierarchy Maslow would describe as basic needs. It's a fast paced life and you better get on the train or you're going to miss out.

The sporting world is no different. In the sports world speed is everything. A high school kid can get a full ride scholarship to any school in America if he run a sub 4.3 forty. In the NBA freakishly athletic and fast guards Russell Westbrook and Isiah Thomas are tearing defenses to shreds. Usain Bolt has defined an era with how quickly he can get from one point to another. In sports, speed is everything.

There in one acceptation to speed is everything, at least in the sporting realm. Speed isn't always everything in baseball. Think about it. Baseball is the only sport where a butter ball can dominate. Babe Ruth wouldn't be a considered a body builder, but the Bronx Bomber is considered to be one of the game's home run kings. The Fielder family was a two generation baseball legacy, but tell me a sport where the porky pair of Prince and Cecil would've have the same impact as they did in MLB? Then there is the ageless wonder Bartolo Colon. This 43 year old "athlete" tips the scales at almost 300 pounds and I doubt could make it to first base by next week, however has been a consistent and at some point fantastic pitcher throughout his career. The point is in baseball speed isn't necessarily everything.

This is the problem the recent "pace-of-play" movement across America's pastime. People who call themselves fans of the game, want to get in and out of the stadium with plenty of time to watch the latest episode of the Bachelor. The have a problem when a pitcher and a base runner are entrenched in a battle for second base and there might be 1, or 2 or 15 pick-off attempts to first. They get frustrated when a batter fouls of pitch after pitch when trying to connect on a nasty slider or knock some high cheese out of the ballpark. They get bored when a manager comes out and makes a pitching change after the reliever he just put in has only through 3 or so pitches and he already has a pitcher in mind for the next batter. It's just not fast enough for those fans.

The real problem that these "fans" have is that they don't understand the sport they claim they enjoy. Baseball has never been built on speed or quickness. The game itself is a grind. There is no time limit to baseball. It's a pure battle of wills that isn't compromised by the stigma of a two minute offense or a shot clock.  Baseball is played in it's own sphere.  Baseball requires resiliency. There are no time outs when a team drops a 9-0 run on you. You get your 3 outs and then try and match or better the effort that your opponent just put up. It's a chess match. It's deliberate. It's baseball. The experience at the ballpark isn't meant to be the same thing you'll find in a football stadium or basketball arena. 

For those of you who might be begging for a pitch clock or some other mystical cure for the slow pace of baseball please remember people like John Kruk, David Wells or even Big Papi. These seemingly irrelevant athletes thrived in a sport not because of their speed, but almost in spite of it. In the wise words of Ferris Bueller, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." The same goes for baseball. If you don't take time to notice the beauty of the game, you might miss the best of it.

Thunderbirds fall to the Grizzles 55-70

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah turned in one of their best defensive efforts of the season on Thursday night, but that wasn't quite enough as the Thunderbirds fell to the Montana Grizzles 55-70 in the Centrum Arena.

Employing a new 1-3-1 the Thunderbirds held the Grizzles to 40 percent shooting, including 19 percent from beyond the arc. "Number-wise it was one of our best defensive performances of the year," SUU head coach Todd Simon said about the Thunderbird defense.

Unfortunately for SUU the offense didn't follow suite as the Thunderbirds shot under 40 percent including a woeful 3-21 from three and 50 percent from the free throw line. They were led in scoring by Randy Onwuasor and Will Joyce who put up 16 and 10 points respectively, for the home team.

The bright spot of the game for SUU was the return of senior guard Race Parson, who played in his first game since early December. Parsons, who returned from a serious knee injury logged 16 minutes for SUU, scoring 6 points and 2 assists. Coach Simon was glad to have Parsons back in the line-up, adding a veteran presence to his young team. "I want to give it all to the guys," Parsons said. "I want to play for the team." Parsons performance definitely sparked an energy in the Centrum for both the team and the fans.

SUU will finish up their home stand on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Centrum Arena as they play host to the Montana State Bobcats.

Chino Hills High School knocks off Los Osos High School thanks to 92 points from LaMelo Ball

CHINO HILLS, Calif. - LaMelo Ball drops in 92 points to help Chino Hills defeat Los Osos 146-123 on Tuesday night in a battle of California Interscholastic Federation men's basketball teams.

Chino Hills (26-1) was without leading scorer LiAngelo Ball , LaMelo's older brother, due to injury,  but that didn't phase them too much as the youngest Ball brother did his part to seal the victory scoring 41 of his 92 points in the final quarter.

Los Osos head coach Dave Smith was less than excited by the way Chino Hills played in regards to helping LaMelo Ball score so many points. Smith was upset that style of play Chino Hills employed took away from the team aspect of the game, and took away from what the CIF and high school basketball is about.

Chino Hills head coach had a different take on the game and LaMelo Ball's. "It was very exciting, almost overwhelming," Coach Stephan Gilling said.

Chino Hills finishes up regular season play at Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday.

Cooperstown: Hall of Fame or Hall of Shame

Pudge, Bagwell and Tim Raines are all in the MLB Hall of Fame. Home run king Barry Bonds and strikeout phenomenon Roger Clemens are not, but are making a push to get there. The stain of steroids has blocked two of the game's greatest from being enshrined in Cooperstown, but what has the MLB hall of fame become? Do these two players, riddle in controversy, deserve to be in? Have some of the players that have been voted in, snuck in because of biased voters? Does the Hall of Fame have the same meaning as it did in the past?

If you're not familiar, the panel for judgement on who gets a bust and eternal glory (in the baseball world) is decided by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). These reporters, many who have never played the game, vote every year on who they consider worthy to enter the Hall of Fame. To gain entrance a player has to receive 75 percent of the total votes. After 10 years on the ballot if a player hasn't been voted in the scales of justice swing to eternal damnation or never gaining admittance to Cooperstown.

Over the last several years the games greatest names have found their way into Cooperstown. Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas were all first ballot Hall of Famers while others like Mike Piazza had to wait a couple years. The question becomes, what changes year to year that suddenly makes a player more worthy than the previous vote? Are these voters just casting their opinion on their favorites players and when they don't have any preferred option they are letting the stragglers in?

Look at Tim Raines, one of the most recent inductees. He was elected in his final year of eligibility, but what changed over the last 9 years? He's retired so his HR, RBI and batting averages didn't change. What is going on? The answer is that the voters are simply biased.

Take a look at the Bonds and Clemens argument. Are the cheaters? There aren't many who doubt that, but they should be in the Hall of Fame. Many of the voters despise them for being a part of the steroid era. News flash everyone was on the juice during that time. What makes their actions worse than any other player that stuffed chemicals into their veins because "chicks dig the long ball." I'm not saying that I condone their actions and honestly they both had Hall of Fame talent without the help, but their steroid use wasn't any different than most of the players during that time.

The thing that honestly bugs me is the fact that the writers were completely against Bonds and Clemens during their first year of eligibility, neither received much of the vote. However, each year the voters get a little softer and this last vote both player received over 50 percent. Frank Thomas, the former Chicago White Sox slugger and World Series Champion shares my frustration. Recently he argued that if they are going to let players connected to steroids in, why not allow the best of the best in.

Baseball can't hide from the steroids that contaminated the game during the days of long balls and power pitchers. It will always be a stain on America's pastime, but they shouldn't block the stars that brought notoriety, excitement and not to mention a lot of money to the game. They cheated. They were great. Let them in the Hall of Fame and get over your biased attempts to honor the game.

All Star Games: Showcase of Talent or Fans Voting in Duds?

Every professional sport has an All Star Game that serves several purposes. Often times it a chance to showcase the leagues talent, serve as a break for the athletes during the season or a chance for specific athletes to be label as the best in the business. In one case (though this was recently repealed), the All Star Game in MLB even decided who had home field advantage for the World Series. These games have become a mainstay and a tradition in each of the respective leagues.

In the more recent future fans have had the opportunity to have their say in who participates in these games. Each league is a little different, but fans can cast their votes online or via social media to see their favorite players and team represented in these showcases. The problem arises when fans decide to vote for someone because of blind loyalty or as a joke. Recently in the MLB All Star Games (where starters are selected solely off of fan vote) teams like the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs saw their entire team dominate the votes and hold down positions that frankly all of the players didn't deserve. In the NBA players like Zaza Pachulia led other more deserving players in fan votes due to the copious amount of Warriors fans that have surfaced during their recent success. So the question that arises from all of this is, should fans be able to help decide who plays in these games?

To eliminate fan voting simply due to the fact that they are biased isn't really fair. Coaches, players and sports writers are all biased in their own right. Bias isn't the problem, the problem comes when the fans have such a large say in what happens. In my opinion I like the way that the NBA has adopted a percentage of fan vote, so that it only makes up a portion of the decision. Or as the NBA does have the fans vote in the final player on the roster so fans still have a decision and buy in for the game.

At the end of the day if the fans could get it right, then they should have all the say. However fans are passionate and love their teams which causes them to not think clearly. If there was a way to make fans' vote with their brains and their heart then I say we give the fans the reins.

Oakland to Vegas: The Impact of the Raiders in Sin City

When I was in fourth grade my best friend moved away. I was, for lack of a better term, devastated. This kid and I were partners in crime and had spent almost every recess and every spare afternoon together since we could walk. His departure left a hole in my existence that took many years to overcome.

Recently NFL fans have dealt with or are preparing to deal with similar experiences. St. Louis and San Diego are dealing with the exodus of their NFL teams to Los Angeles and recently the Raiders have filed papers to relocate to Las Vegas. These fans are losing something very dear to them and they in turn will be devastated. What are the impacts that will occur from pigskin making a home in Sin City?

Economically one community will flourish and the other will take a huge hit. Oakland, from my understanding, has never been the most financially stable area. That's why athletes who come from the area are so gritty, because they were made in Oakland. The removal of a professional sports team can and will take a hit on their economical stability, especially with talks about the Oakland A's potentially building a new stadium away from the bay city. Las Vegas on the inverse, would receive an increase in financial growth. The place known as the getaway and an area where the truth doesn't follow you home has another attraction to add to the list that includes casinos, famous shows and fancy clubs. Jobs and work opportunities will grow in Las Vegas and the money will flow once again.

On a more personal note, fans will feel betrayed. Think about it, the Oakland Raiders already had a hiatus in Los Angeles and made their way back. Recent history, minus this past season, hasn't been kind to the silver and black. They have been the definition of mediocrity in the AFC West as every other team has enjoyed playoff success while they suffered losing season after losing season since their appearance in the Super Bowl. Now the boys are back led by Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, but the return to the feared Raiders might occur in Nevada. Hailed by their new, young fans who probably don't know who Tim Brown or Jim Plunkett are.

Overall a move to Las Vegas would be one that I would welcome. I've never been to a NFL game and this would provide an opportunity to not only attend one game, but be a regular in the new black pit. I might even claim the new Las Vegas Raiders as my team. Overall I believe they should stay in Oakland. I believe that certain teams belong where they are. The NFL is better when the Cowboys are in Texas, the Packers are in Green Bay and when the Raiders are in Oakland. Their history is there. The most popular sports game was named after a coach who won the Super Bowl with the Silver and Black. The NFL will never be the biggest show in Vegas and the history of the team will be potentially lost and forgotten. Keep the legacy of the Raiders where it belongs and that is in Oakland.

Do Your Job: A Lesson Learned from High School Football

As a sophomore in high school I got inserted into the starting varsity line up as a Sam (strong side) linebacker. Injuries had taken their toll on the roster and I had the opportunity to make a name for myself. I had the game of my life, racking up 14 tackles (most on the team) and forced and recovered a fumble. Most importantly our team won the game and I had indeed put myself on the map with the coaching staff. 

The next week at school I was showered with compliments about how well I played. I was on top of the world, even the Junior and Senior girls were paying attention to me. During film session, my coaches informed my that once again I would be skipping JV practices and games this week and starting varsity. I was so excited to continue my dominance I couldn't contain myself. 

There was one slight change in my role, I would be switching from Sam linebacker, to Will (weak side) linebacker. Throughout the week of practice a lot of attention was given to me by the defensive coaching staff to ensure I understood my new responsibilities. We were facing off against a team who ran a Wing-T offense and very rarely ran the ball to the weak side. My role had switched from defensive star to containment specialist. Throughout practice I didn't think too much of it, but once game time rolled around I wasn't as excited to be in a new position.

Throughout the first half the ball hadn't been run to the weak side even once. I had no stats and in my mind I had lost the momentum I had gained the week before. Towards the end of the second quarter I started to forsake my containment assignment and started cheating down the line. By the end of the first half I had made 3 tackles. It was a far cry from the 14 tackles from the game before, but I knew that if I kept cheating down the line I could get the stats to be the star again.

During the halftime comments the coach who was in the box called me out in front of the team. "Bailey keep your containment, if you keep cheating we are going to get burned." My containment? The ball hadn't come to my side the entire half what containment was he talking about. He grabbed me again before me ran out and he pleaded with me to stay home.

As the second half kicked off I took the field in my spot on the weak side and continued to contain. The third quarter passed and the score was tight throughout the fourth quarter. The ball had made it's way to the weak side on a counter once in the second half, so my frustration with "containment" continued to grow. In the final two minutes we had a 3 point lead and the opposing team had the ball on fourth down. If we stopped them we would win and I knew that this was my time to make the play I had longed for all night. I knew they were going to run to the strong side and I was going to storm down the line and make the game winning tackle.

I timed the snap perfectly and sure enough the ball was handed off to the running back heading to the strong side. The back was slowed up by his pulling guard and I was in place to be the hero. As I charged up to make the tackle I saw the little used receiver running back towards me. The running back flipped the ball to the receiver on a reverse. Suddenly my stomach sunk. I reached out with one arm in attempt to make the stop, but it was in vain. The receiver scampered 70 yards into the end zone and my team was now losing. 

I laid on the turf not knowing what would happen next. Would my teammates hate me? Would the coaches cut me? What would my dad think? I was helped up and I ran to the sideline with my head hanging. The coach had made his way down from the box. He was waiting for me. He grabbed my face mask, pulled my head up and said, "do your job." He let me go and we cheered on the offense as they attempted to regain the lead. 

Luckily for me the team marched down the field and scored with 20 seconds left. The defense retook the field and I anticipated that I would spend the end of the game on the benched. Coach put his arm around me and repeated his advice, "do your job." The defense held serve and we won the game. I will never forget that game and the lesson that I learned. When you're part of the team don't try and be the hero. Be a part of the team and do your job.