’Pen Pal
As we all know, baseball is a game steeped in history. When looking into the game, finding about when things happened is easier than finding out why they happened. Baseball’s unanswered questions
There are, however, many things about baseball that are puzzling. Some have answers, some don't. So for fun, let's spend a few paragraphs strolling down the "Wondering Lane." Have you ever wondered?
>> About the similarities in the golf and baseball swing? I guess only golfers who have played ball would ask that question. Now I don't know much about the golf swing. You can look at my golf swing and understand that. But I do know one thing, because I've read about it. The golf swing is basically circular. The baseball swing is not. Show me a baseball player with a circular swing and I'll show you a Roger Clemens fast ball on the inside corner turning the bat into sawdust and/or splinters. Even an aluminum bat would feel the vibrations on that one. So the swings are not the same.
>> Why only baseball coaches wear uniforms? Basketball coaches, football coaches, soccer coaches, wrestling coaches, or any other coaches wear regular street clothes or shorts. Why then, do baseball coaches wear unies? They didn't until the 1930s or 1940s is the closest I can figure. Since then, they all do. I think it's because baseball coaches are fairly active in pregame and game preparations. They throw batting practice and hit ground balls, so it's more practical to suit up. Plus, it's always so dirty.
>> Why there are 9 innings in a game? This one is hard to find out about, and I have no clue about it, but isn't it worth wondering about?
>> Why the bases are 90 feet apart? This is another tough one, but 90 feet is 30 yards, so somehow that must have been taken into account. It'd be dumb to have the bases 82 feet apart, wouldn't it? The length of the throw and the time it takes to get to the base must have been considered as well.
>> Why a spitball is illegal and a splitter and knuckle ball are not? The spitter was banned in 1920, but there were several pitchers 'grand fathered' and were allowed to continue to throw it. Burleigh Grimes was the last legal spitballer, and he retired in 1934. It makes no sense to me why they allow the other two but not the spitter. They basically do the same thing: They break down and usually away from a hitter, so why not bring the spitter back? The Department of Health may object.
>> Why you can yell at ball players ready to hit the ball, but you can't do the same to golfers or tennis players? Good question, yeah? Let's face it, ball players may be tougher than the others. I mean, in baseball you have to worry about velocity, type of pitch, and location. The fear factor is a major thought. As far as I know, tennis players or golfers don't have to think about that. (But golfers do have to pay their foul balls!!)
Some interesting questions, right? And there are more. Maybe that's a subject for another column. Let me know if there are any questions you may have about the game.
Pal Eldredge is a baseball commentator for KFVE
and former varsity baseball coach at Punahou School.
His column runs Mondays during the Major League Baseball season.
Star-Bulletin sports can be reached at 529-4785 or: sports@starbulletin.com