The game of baseball has used baseball english since the beginning of the game which Abner Doubleday so aptly named "baseball." All the players on a baseball team should be proficient in using baseball english. The pitcher and the three (3) outfielders are the ones we so desperately depend upon to be the masters of baseball english. Get those good marks in english classes and excell at the game of baseball. All around baseball players are the baseball players who know all about baseball. The baseball itself seems to have taken on an animated life and ability to respond when the masters of the english instructs. This baseball english language is a partnership developed thru many practices and numerous games with the players and the baseball. Here is how it all takes place. The pitcher grips that ball with different styles. When he wants the baseball to veer or curve to the left as it approaches the plate he grips the ball a certain way. He is in essence telling the baseball I am going to twist my wrist and release you so that you spin (he puts english on the ball). When I spin you this way I want you to go to the left. If I spin you this other way (like this) I want you to go to the right. Wouldn't you just know it the pitcher is putting english (spin) on the ball and the ball just as if he understands does as the pitcher wants. Now isn't this a blast the pitcher is talking and doing and the baseball is doing and it's nothing more than english making it do. Now folks this english talk with the pitcher talking to the ball can get complicated, ole hosshide don't care. Those good outfielders have their work cut out to give perfect and proper english to that baseball. When there are runners on base each outfielder must think ahead of the probable play situation. Where is my throw to go when I have to field that hard hit ground ball coming to me? The throw going to the second baseman will be a hard throw with significant velocity as to reach the 2nd sacker right in the letters. He tells the ball "I want you to go like a rifle shot straight and true." The fielders puts top spin (english) on the ball when he releases the ball from his hand. The ball hums it's way straight and true with a slight rise upwards and bingo right in the letters of the second baseman. The ball silently said in a soft hum, "yes boss." Ka-Plop the the 2nd sacker puts a sweet tag or at least dared the hitter to come on. There is a whole new english lesson which the outfielder and his partner the baseball must execute when cutting a runner down going to third. The outfielder knows the throw needs to be arriving to the third baseman on a good clean hop. If the throw is coming from the rightfielder then that long throw means the ball must make a really long hop. The outfielder tells his little buddy (baseball) "I'm going to put some top spin (english) when I let you go, don't you slow up because you have to really scoot." The ball just as if it was really listening hits that clay dirt diamond and kicks up a puff of dust and zap right in there on time. The baseball is a quick learner the next throw to third might require a short sudden stop hop. The outfielder and the ball are getting good at this rapping going on between them. The fielder throws with all his might and puts back spin (english) and little baseball dutifully kicks up a bigger puff of dirt with his back spin putting on brakes and hops into 3rd baseman's big glove. A trio of jubilation with 3rd sacker grinning, the outfielder pumping his fist saying, "Yeh Yeh" and little baseball taken from the game by the umpire because he got scuffed in the deal. Fans and friends it's a sweet and well known language this english between baseball and ballplayer. |
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