Reply #9: That's exactly it. [View All]

To be a true baseball fan you need to have an understanding of the statistics of the game and an appreciation of their significance. You also need to have an appreciation for the strategy of the game and the thinking that goes into it. Without these things, a 1-0 game where the losing pitcher has thrown a no hitter would be plain boring. Or you have a World Series game where Johnny Bench is at bat for the Reds and has 2 strikes while Joe Morgan is on first base. Morgan steals second base, so the A's decide to intentionally walk Bench to first base. The catcher moves out and the pitcher lobs the ball to him for ball 3. Next pitch, the catcher moves away from the plate as Bench stands there with his bat not ready since he is being intentionally walked and the the catcher quickly moves back behind the plate as the pitcher throws the ball right down the middle as Bench stands there and watches a 3rd strike to end the inning. It was very bizarre and he simply turned around and walked back to the dugout. If you didn't understand the nuances of baseball, that incredible play would be lost on you.