Leave the Game Alone

For the past however many years you've been watching sports, you have loved the game for what it is, right? If you are anything like me, you go baseball games to hang out in the sun, drink something cold, eat a hot dog, and yell "CHARGE"...and you enjoy it. And the best part? After just three hours you return home in a much better mood than when you left.

But now, in the year 2016 when our attention spans are an average of seven seconds, everyone suddenly thinks changes need to be made to keep us interested and invested in the game. Specifically, the MLB.

That's right, they have been looking into potential rule changes when it comes to pitchers. One: a 20-second pitch clock. Two: altering the use of relief pitchers. Why? To speed the game up and keep the fans' attention. Really? You are trying to shorten something we use as an escape, an enjoyment. You think because it's a slow game we are going to lose interest. It's baseball. We know it's slow and thank you, but that's why some of us enjoy it.

Courtesy of Foxsports.com

Oh but it doesn't stop there. Commissioner of baseball, Rob Manfred said in an interview with WFAN's Chris Carlin and Kim Jones: "Our relievers now are so good that they actually make the back end of the game — seven, eight and nine — with less action in it. And when you think about keeping people engaged, you've got to ask yourself, 'Is this a good thing for the game?'"

You must be kidding me. It's the eighth inning, you just assume I am no longer going to be INVESTED by this point because the pitchers are "so good?" Well if I'm not, then shame on me. I must not be a true fan and I don't deserve to sit in those seats. Forget that, I wouldn't even be watching in the first place!

Clearly, I think it's bogus for the MLB to even consider changing the rules simply to stay "up to date" with the times. Hey, even Pete Rose is on my side and doesn't "believe in changing rules." I almost jumped for joy this morning when he was on Fox Sports Radio discussing the subject. "Why is everyone in a rush? Other sports take time!" he said. That's right, Pete! You tell 'em.

We all know our generation and generations to come are doomed for our endless multi-tasking and simple boredom. But this is baseball we are talking about. Baseball. Leave the game alone.

"When baseball is no longer fun, it's no longer a game." - Joe DiMaggio

The coolest Home Run Derby we all missed

So if you are anything like me, you got swept up in the MLB All-Star week; whether you were taking a break from your team who just keeps aggravating you more and more each week, or the kind of fan who would not miss a minute. Then the week was over and the baseball we all know and love was back in action. Meanwhile, we were cracking beers and celebrating while we all missed something pretty spectacular: The Northwoods League Home Run Derby.

"Who cares about all-star collegiate athletes during the summer break?" you may ask. Well bite your tongue and feast your eyes:

Courtesy of herealink.com

Have you ever seen anything so cool in your life? That's right, they are hosting a home run derby ON Lake Michigan. Buoy lines imitating what a ball park home run would be, fans enjoying the day by the water, and fireworks to wrap up the night has me adding this event to my bucket list. Marty Bechina, a freshman out of Michigan State, member of the Kenosha Kingfish, took the home the title.

I don't know about you, but it looks like the MLB needs to step up its game.

NWL HR Derby last night into Lake Michigan! Awesome atmosphere. Hosting @KenoshaKingfish Marty Bechina wins it! pic.twitter.com/Rh02IZPGN0

— Sawyer Gieseke (@sawyergieseke) July 19, 2016

An A-Bomb no longer just for A-Rod

Okay, so I am a Yankees fan. But that is not the reason I am writing this post. And anyone who is even the slightest baseball fan and has heard anything about last night's game would agree it was post-worthy.

Courtesy of CNN.com

Obviously there were two major moments for the Yankees in last night's contest against the Orioles. Starting off with the bomb in the bottom of the second. That's right, I am talking about the A-bomb from A-Rod. After 51 at-bats without a home run, Alex Rodriguez sent his drought sailing, 440ft to be exact. This helped close his gap in his chase to 700, claiming his 696th HR last night. It was like having the old A-Rod back at bat: smashing a fast ball and rounding the bases with class, blowing his pink bubble gum until reaching home.

But it didn't stop there. Later on in the top of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman was .1 mph from rewriting history books. He tied his own MLB record with a 105.0 MPH pitch to J.J. Hardy. Maybe last night's performance will help make Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner start seeing eye to eye as the non-waiver trade deadline quickly approaches? Yeah, probably not.

Since I brought it up, I guess there is something in the New York water that is causing everyone to not want to make decisions. I think we can all agree that the Yankees' post-All-Star break schedule is a grueling one, and might determine whether or not they decide to be buyers or sellers come August 1. Currently Chapman and teammate Carlos Beltran are both on the potential chopping block and the clock is ticking. Trust me, I understand at this point we don't want to do anything that would repeat last year's humiliation: earning the Wildcard just to waste it. But then again, I like these guys, and they are starting to prove themselves...just a little too late.


The gasps never get old.