[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Baseball, as my example taught me, is in fact a pretty “legalistic” game. The runner left the base too early - but I forgot to say, “Mother, may I?” - and the runner was not out.

It is an unusual characteristic of baseball that it is the defense - the pitcher - who initiates. The batter can’t club a low, inside fastball into the middle of next week when the pitcher elects to throw a change up. It is the pitcher who starts all plays - not the batter, who is in a real sense on defense trying not to be called out on strikes (if he does nothing, and the pitcher gets the umpire to call three strikes) or otherwise hit the ball where the defense can make a play on him, or on one of his teammates on base.

I recall once standing behind the rubber waiting for the next batter to stand in, and thinking, “It’s really nice of all these fellows to come here so I can have a game.” The pitcher really is that important to a team. Believe me, if your pitcher can’t do his job well the game will be no fun at all.

[ReaganÜberAlles]

I agree that baseball is “legalistic” but my post about the triple play still holds true I think if you don’t get too far down in the “legalistic” weeds.

Baseball is funny in that I think it’s the only game where the defense has the ball, (except maybe the similar game, cricket.) But I don’t consider that game a sport. :)