When I played ball as a kid one sound that resonates in my memory is the sound of "Hey, batta, batta, batta"! Continuous and unforgiving this phrase, along with others, was chanted from each posistion of the infield and a good set of lungs from the outfield too until that last out was made and it was our turn to bat
Along with that great sound in my mind are also the many "tactics" we used to attempt to catch an opposing player off base if it should arise an oppossing player reached base. (it always did arise)
For example walking to the pitcher for a "strategy" chat and cunningly slipping the ball into your glove and tag the man out who was on base when he took his "lead" off the base. More often than not this was a pathetic manuever which always was caught almost immediately by the opposing team who's entire bench would be yelling to the man on base that "Hey..he's got the ball, he's got the ball don't leave the bag"! (I should note, too, that us kids were "men" on base)
There were also the yelling of "rules" as oppossing players ran the basepaths in an attempt to confuse the runner and/or batter so we could get to bat quicker. For example as the runner begins to run after the ball being hit you might yell "foul ball"! Or, if the ball was in play, "Only one base on a ball hit to right"! We might yell anything to try and disrupt the pure, geometric, precise game of baseball for the opposing team. Anything!
The words were always innocent, hurting no one's feelings. We were kids, it was baseball and I sure heard some of the "batta, batta" stuff in "grownup" baseball games, where do you think we got it from?
Toronto, in Canada, seemed to take exception to this behaviour this past Wednesday when Alex Rodriguez apparently yelled something as he was approaching Toronto third baseman Howie Clark as a pop up was descending from the sky, Howie thought, into his glove for the third out ending a Yankee's rally.
Seems as Alex Rodriguez was passing behind Howie Clark, who was awaiting the descending pop fly ball, Alex yelled something directly behind the third baseman causing Clark to wince and back up thereby allowing the descending pop fly ball to land, unscathed and uncaught on the ground. This did not end the rally. The Yankee's went on to score 3 more runs.
Rodriguez was confronted on the field by the Blue Jays and then was attacked in the media by the Toronto manager.
Toronto manager John Gibbons became somewhat distraught by this manuever going to the lengths of publicly condemning Rodriguez and the Yankee's for what he called a "bush league" play. Gibbons stated "That is not Yankee pride right there. That's not the way they play." Then the "bush league" remark was uttered.
Did Alex Rodriguez call Clark's mum a combat boots wearing mum? (I remember that one) Did Rodriguez insult the educational level of Clark as he yelled running by him to third?
No. No fierery expeltive's here. Just a big loud "HAH", as he ran past , is what Rodriguez said he shouted. Yup...A good ole "try" from childhood baseball to cause an error or misdirection to keep a rally alive. And it worked. Didn't it always work? Well most of the time it worked. But this time it caused a Major League Baseball team, an entire team, to blusterly blunder and shout and point and accuse making Totonto and all those that agree with them totally whacked out and mindless all to the fact Toronto Bluejays baseball was "had" by an old, dusty, creaky but well honed and never forgotten tactic of baseball, the 'HEY, BATTA, BATTA, BATTA only Rodriguez only used the "HEY" and changed it slightly to "HAH"..
Philadelphia Phillies third base coach John Vukovich tips his cap to the crowd as it gives him a standing ovation in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles June 15, 2001, in Philadelphia.
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John Vukovitch
Phillies Player And Coach
Photo Credit William Caine - AP Wire
Vukovich, a longtime Phillies coach, was reported to be in grave condition in a Philadelphia-area hospital due to complications caused by an inoperable brain tumor, as the team reported March 7th. The 59-year-old Vukovich, who was also a former manager with Philadelphia and the Chicago Cubs, spent the last 19 years with the Phillies died yesterday at the tender age of 59. Signed in 1966 Vukovich was a popular and enormous boost to the Phillie organisation his entire career. The only coach who reamained from that spectacular World Series team of 1980.
Always referred to as "Vuk" (vooke), the team will be wearing his name in this summer's baseball season on their uniforms in remembrance.
I guess we come and we go. I have often said with such daily contact with our hero's, stars, etc, that I wish for the days you saw them on the screen or the field and then heard or read of their passing instead of seeing them grow old before our eyes through the technology of today, updating the ravages of time before our eyes, diluting the memories within. Although Vuk (Vook) was a young man, another too soon gone, I say this mostly for myself because it is true.
Vuk is no longer going to be seen down in the third base coaches box. That smile, clap of encouragement of his hands, tipping of the cap and all the "secret" signs of the team catching our eye on occasion. Vuk and Richie Ashburn, no longer tugging on his pipe into the microphone, which always gave me a chuckle, are about the last of baseball guys. Guys who played and loved the game.
There is a Major League Baseball Umpire (retired) who is on a personal mission traveling the US, visiting Veteran's Hospital's, and talking baseball.
Umpire Larry Barnett of "The Armbrister Incident".
MLB UMPIRE VISITING VET'S IN GAINSVILLE, FLA
Photo Credit - Gainsville Sun
I'll get back to "The Armbrister Incident" later but I was smiling from ear to ear as I read the accounts of Barnett's venturing into the Veteran's Hospital's around this land and bringing smiles, interest, questions, giving autographs and out 'n out bringing joy and providing a resurgence of memories from these guys who are mostly forgotten. Forgotten by the public, who vacation and guzzle beer, who are given vacation in the name of all veteran's but rarely, if ever, pay tribute or , ye, say a prayer for them. The Vet's living their lives out in hospital's are even forgotten by their families. I can tell you, first hand, they appreciate anyone who would stop in and visit. Anyone.
Anywho...Larry Barnett is in the midst of visiting all the hospitals, all 172 of them, and giving his shot at lifting the spirit's of these boy's, yes boy's, and it appears Larry Barnett is succeeding.
Cornered by a reporter and asked of the current controversy as to VA Hospital care Larry replied; "I believe they get good care...Are there, in 172 hospitals, problems? Probably. The thing that happened at Walter Reed shouldn't have happened. It's sad. Very sad."
Larry Barnett was recently in my area where I learned of "The Armbrister Incident". One of the Vets asked what his most controversial call was. With no hesitation Larry said; "1975 World Series. Boston vs. Cincinniti. Game 3." It seems Carlton Fisk made a wild throw out into center field then pleaded interference to Barnett to no avail. Boston ended losing the Series and since, in Boston, Barnett's name is "Mudd". (Author's note;I don't write "mud" coz I am aware the phrase comes from the doctor who splinted J.W. Boothe's leg)
Barnett said he has a scrapbook full of death threats and was even threatened to be shot during Game 6. Then Larry told of a story when time was called in a game and Pete Rose was on second, Joe Morgan on First. Morgan walked toward Rose to talk and Barnett walked between the two when Rose said " Larry, get away from me. That guy might be a lousy shot".
Barnett is vigorous and uplifting during his stories. Telling the boys "Raise your hands if you have any question's. Raise 'em high because I don't see so good". And stretching does always then ensue.
Have a BIG question? Here it is, a real question, asked by a Vet in Elsmere, De; "Who was the best player?"
Without a hesitation Barnett quickly listed; Best right handed pitcher: " Jim "Catfish" Hunter", Best left-handed pitcher: "Vida Blue", Best "pure natural hitter" "Rod Carew" and best all-around player: "Al Kaline".
That's all folks! Just wanted to get this message to you.
Su attencion...atencion por favor...Estados Unidios esta muy bien y nada problemos !
Le pago de Senior Ryan Howard esta libertad !!
Muchas gracias por su bueno ojos.
IT APPEARS SOMEONE OR SOMETHING HAS BLOCKED ACCESS TO THE "COMMENT'S" SECTION OF THE RYAN HOWARD STORY.
RYAN HOWARD
Photo Credit Meng Outzen - AP
THOUGHT IT WAS THE PHOTO AND COOKIES LEFT BY WEB SITE DUE TO THE FACT I WAS SHOWING A BLOCKED WEBSITE AND IT'S NAME. I'VE REMOVED THAT PHOTO AND REPLACED IT WITH AN ASSOCCIATED PRESS POOL PHOTO. STILL I HAVE NO ACCESS TO VIEW OR POST A COMMENT.
STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND FOR ANY PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD TAKE IN YOUR IMMEDIATE AREA.
THE SECURITY ALERT HAS NOT BEEN RAISED.
EXPECT ANYWHERE FROM 4 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW. DRIFTING TO HEIGHTS OF 10 FEET IN SOME PLACES. AMOUNT OF SNOWFALL WILL VARY FROM REGION TO REGION. USE CAUTION WHEN CHUGGING THAT BREW DUE TO HIGH WINDS EXPECTED TO ACCOMPANY THE SNOW. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR BUZZED SPORTSFANS FLYING BY YOUR LOCAL ARENA'S OR STADIUM'S.
THIS HAS BEEN AN ALERT FROM THE DYCKN'S SPORTSWEATHER CENTER
PHILADELPHIA SIGNS RYAN HOWARD FOR $900,00.00 ONE YEAR DEAL
Look below at the Jeff Garcia piece. You will notice, at the end, I mention Chase Utely and Ryan Howard won't be long for Philadlephia. Well my word has taken the first step of truth. The Philadelphia Phillies were unable to reach an agreement with Ryan Howard's agent to a long term contract. I find this disgraceful, maddening but above all business as usual in Philadelphia sports.
RYAN HOWARD
Home Run Derby Swing
PHOTO CREDIT Gene Musker -AP
Ryan Howard, who won Rookie of The Year while playing only part of a season as a call up. Who won MVP in his first full season with the Phillies could not be persued in a vigorous manner, I guess, because management didn't want to look needy.
Philadelphia Phillies management did not want to stick their necks out for a player who appears headed for Ruthian numbers in baseball and is one of the finest human beings in Major League Baseball. Ruth's bawdiness aside, Howard has the same heart and love of the game and it's fans, not to mention charitable contributions, that the Babe did in his time.
Figures for Ryan Howard in his first full year are as follows;
581 AB, 104 Runs, 182 Hits, 25 Doubles, 1 Triple, 58 Homeruns, 149 RBI's, 108 Walks and 181 Strikeouts. An OBP of .425. A Slugging Percentage of .695 and a OPS of 1.084 .
Nah...I wouldn't stretch to keep a man like that on my team. It is being reported on the Phillies web site that Howard received a "hefty raise for his performance last season". Yes..."Hefty" was the word they used and they made it even better by saying he was inelligable for arbitration, as if it was a great gift from the office above. Ain't that grand? A $600,00.00 raise.
And you want to know a local secret? The fans in the stands are going to believe when he is elligable at the end of this one year contract, that Ryan Howard will remain a Phillie far into the future and take everyone to the promised land of World Seriesdom. That's the Philadelphia sports machine. I said it earlier and now you can watch it unfold for yourself as to how this city lets players run free. Or, better yet, run away from them.
I remember as far back to the 1950s when I didn't realise the implications of this going on. I didn't come to notice this until some time in the 1980s when I was reminded, by a tribute to Jack Sanford of the San Fransisco Giant's, that Jack Sanford pitched for the Phillies in the '50's. A pattern then formed before my eyes. It Must of been like when Moses saw that bush burning. I saw Ryan Sandburg, a Phillie, but he was in a Chicago Cubs uniform for all of his career. As a Phillie, barely a memory. A long, long list. I guess something like Santa's good and bad list is now embedded in my brain and every year, unlike getting toys and stuff it persecutes me when a boneheaded decision like this comes down from the halls of wisdom of Philadelphia sports. Start saying your goodbye's now because Ryan Howard is going to be in a World Series real soon. But not in Philadelphia. More power to him and may the basenball god's keep Mr. Howard in good health to achieve all the greatness I know he is destined for. On Dasher, on Prancer, On Comet...Oh yeah that's the burning bush waiting for recognition to hand out some wisdom.
Lock's For Cancer, Wigs 4 Kid's, Angel's Hair for Kids, a number of organisation's I refferred to in the Britany Spears Piece is listed here;
You can donate hair cuts for cancer patients to the following foundations:
Locks of Love 2925 10th Avenue North Suite 102 Lake Worth, Florida 33461 Toll-free information: (888) 896-1588 United States of America
Locks of Love, a not-for-profit foundation, provides hair prosthetics for children afflicted with medical hair loss. The organization provides custom-fitted hair wigs for long-term medical hair loss free of charge or on a sliding scale to financially disadvantaged children.
Wigs for Kids Executive Club Building 21330 Center Ridge Road Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Tel: 440.333.4433 United States of America
Wigs 4 Kids 29314 Harper Ave. St. Clair Shores, MI 48081 United States of America Phone: 586-772-6656 Fax: 586-772-6674 Email: maggiewigs4kids.org Web Site: www.wigs4kids.org
Wigs 4 Kids provides custom-fitted, age-appropriate wigs which are individually cut and styled and services at no cost to kids and their families and accepts donations form caring individuals, companies and organizations. Wigs 4 kids provides an environment where a child can feel at ease. Each child learns important practical skills to help them through this difficult tim
A Child's Voice Foundation Angel Hair for Kids 3034 Palstan Road, Ste. 305 Mississauga, Ontario, L4Y 2Z6 Canada Local: 905-275-3434 Toll Free: 1-888-837-3354 Fax: 905-275-3139
Angel Hair for Kids provides human hair wigs for children from financially disadvantaged families who have lost their hair as a result of Alopecia, Burns and scalp injuries or Cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
The Fringe Hair Company 2609 14 Street SW Calgary, Alberta T2T 3T9 Tel: 403 245 6232 Canada
Wigs for Kids Affiliate c/o The Medical Image 603 Argus Road, Suite 108 Oakville, Ontario, L6J 6G6 Canada
Hair Donation Program 950 W. Broadway, Unit 107 Vancouver, British Columbia, BC V5Z 1K7 Canada
Hair for Kids Program c/o Continental Hair 92 1/2 Avenue Road Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2H2 Canada Tel: 416 923 7747
STORKJRC, a fellow Fox Community Blogger, mentioned a program he is involved with "The Saint Baldrick's Foundation". Since guys really don't have much hair to spare cash donations is the way! Check it out at; www.stbaldricks.org
Eddie Feigner, the softball pitcher and showman extraordnaire who delighted multitudes of children and adults with The King and His Court four-man team for 50 years, died this past Friday at age 81.
I was fortunate enough to have seenThe King and His Court one time and it's embedded in my mind as if it were yesterday.
For those not familiar with Eddie Feigner andThe King and His Court let me say this;
Eddie started the team on a dare. He pitched in a regular softball league and after beating a 9 man team the team challenged him to another game. Well, Eddie took the challenge alright. And playing with only a shortstop, first baseman and a catcher he shut them out with a perfect game.
The dare was put forth andThe King and His Courtwas born.
He was clocked once with a 104 mph fastball. This was the show that toured the world and filled even Yankee Stadium and other sizeable ballparks along with the primary local stops they made. I have to tell you it was an amazing sight to behold. To sit and watch this guy pitch with only 3 other guys on his team was just ...well I can't find a word for it but believe me you wouldn't forget it if you saw him.
In all, Eddie Feigner pitched more than 10,000 games, struck out 141,527 batters, threw 930 no-hitters and 240 perfect games. That wasn't what made him so great believe it or not.
He also pitched, on occasion, from second base, sometimes from centerfield. That ain't all folks. He would pitch between his legs, from his knees and behind his back. Oh...Almost forgot...he would pitch blindfolded too, all strikes. Don't for a second think you would be seeing "tricks" that sometimes worked. They were pitches. Pitches every time.
Think it was easy because it was local softball teams? Well in a nationally televised game he struck out Willie McCovey,Willie Mays, Harmon Killebrew, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson and Maury Wills, all in order. Yup..1,2,3,4,5,6.
Eddie Feigner and The King and His Court was something that will never come again. Like a kid walking home from school at 3PM and hearing a baseball game on the radio every corner you turned, it was a thing of beauty but, alas, gone and never to return.
The King and His Court are coming to town! Boy did I get excited.
Like a dog with a bone - or an over/under or even a staff of good, hard wood
I am a FOX Sports Blogger who NEEDS to VENT. You may also enjoy my tuneful stylings at www.myspace.c om/billdyckns Don't try to give me all that money I know you're going to want to donate or any personal information. . .OR, be the 1st to buy one of my songs. The FIRST.
On top of all that...well.. .there isn't much more on top of that since i'm on the glidepath down. But, as I say in my best song, "Time keeps tellin' me to fold. You know that always makes me crack a smile. Mr Time he believe I growin' old." (copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved) (means don't try rippin' that line off)
OK, On 51 Hut BREAK!
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