comment by SteveF (U22027)
posted 3 seconds ago
The fact the winner calls themselves "World" Champions tells you everything.
The fact that this game is only really played in the US, does prompt the question how can the winner be champions of the whole world ?

Suppose it is a bit like Chelsea calling themselves "World" Club Champions, having played two games against barely recognised teams, and frankly as poor as the AFCON in terms of quality, tells us you can spin a title, no matter how silly, if you can market it to enough people.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The rumour is that it was originally named after the World Newspaper that sponsored it but I'm not sure that's true, as somebody pointed out on here.

But whether you like it or not, the best baseball players on the planet and the best teams by an absolute country mile play in the US / Canada.

Baseball is huge in much of Latin America, Japan and it's a lot bigger than you'd think in Australia and Europe.

Australia has stadiums and decent sized crowds.

comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 35 seconds ago
comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 47 seconds ago
As someone who played baseball for about 20 years of my life I can appreciate why those who have never tried it would be so afraid to give it a chance.

Without being able to appreciate the skill possessed by each player in their positions and the strategy called by the managers it may come off as a bunch of standing around. It’s almost all a game of reflexes and mind games.

After high school when I began making my first international friends I was so surprised to see how bad people in general are when throwing…any type of ball. I had always assumed it was a natural thing to learn to throw as a kid. Obviously there are levels.

But yeah even American football, which I will admit is not my thing, can be so good and so intense. This postseason has to go down as maybe the greatest in the history of nfl. It was so good. People need to quit being so miserable and give things a shot before writing em off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I started playing at 27, I'm not 30 and only now can I properly throw a ball into the 70mph range. It's just something we're not taught in England.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yup. Same with how we weren’t really taught football in America depending on which community you grew up in.

At my peak I could pitch 93mph with control. Had a fastball that tailed, a big annoying looping curveball, and a splitter that I kinda just developed on my own which looked a bit like a knuckleball but dipped at the last second each time. That was my knock out punch. Low 90’s fast ball with movement and curve I didn’t like but as soon as I had 2 strikes on you that splitter would take you out with either it’s movement or the dramatic shift in speed to about 80mph.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I am imagining half the folks on this thread reading that and currently sat scratching their heads deeply confused

comment by SteveF (U22027)
posted 3 minutes ago
The fact the winner calls themselves "World" Champions tells you everything.
The fact that this game is only really played in the US, does prompt the question how can the winner be champions of the whole world ?

Suppose it is a bit like Chelsea calling themselves "World" Club Champions, having played two games against barely recognised teams, and frankly as poor as the AFCON in terms of quality, tells us you can spin a title, no matter how silly, if you can market it to enough people.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
All about the media bias Steve

comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 35 seconds ago
comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 47 seconds ago
As someone who played baseball for about 20 years of my life I can appreciate why those who have never tried it would be so afraid to give it a chance.

Without being able to appreciate the skill possessed by each player in their positions and the strategy called by the managers it may come off as a bunch of standing around. It’s almost all a game of reflexes and mind games.

After high school when I began making my first international friends I was so surprised to see how bad people in general are when throwing…any type of ball. I had always assumed it was a natural thing to learn to throw as a kid. Obviously there are levels.

But yeah even American football, which I will admit is not my thing, can be so good and so intense. This postseason has to go down as maybe the greatest in the history of nfl. It was so good. People need to quit being so miserable and give things a shot before writing em off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I started playing at 27, I'm not 30 and only now can I properly throw a ball into the 70mph range. It's just something we're not taught in England.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yup. Same with how we weren’t really taught football in America depending on which community you grew up in.

At my peak I could pitch 93mph with control. Had a fastball that tailed, a big annoying looping curveball, and a splitter that I kinda just developed on my own which looked a bit like a knuckleball but dipped at the last second each time. That was my knock out punch. Low 90’s fast ball with movement and curve I didn’t like but as soon as I had 2 strikes on you that splitter would take you out with either it’s movement or the dramatic shift in speed to about 80mph.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A friend of mine who now lives here used to play AAA ball until he got injured. Had a splitter / fastball combo and deadly changeup.

He's the one that taught me to throw!

I've never been able to throw a splitter, would absolutely love to. I throw a 4SFB, cutter, change and curve that is far slower a Greinke eephus

I’ve watched Bull Durham. Yeh, I dunno what Rtm just said.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Cinciwolf---Wolves transfer strategy is brilli... (U11551)
posted 19 seconds ago
comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 35 seconds ago
comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 47 seconds ago
As someone who played baseball for about 20 years of my life I can appreciate why those who have never tried it would be so afraid to give it a chance.

Without being able to appreciate the skill possessed by each player in their positions and the strategy called by the managers it may come off as a bunch of standing around. It’s almost all a game of reflexes and mind games.

After high school when I began making my first international friends I was so surprised to see how bad people in general are when throwing…any type of ball. I had always assumed it was a natural thing to learn to throw as a kid. Obviously there are levels.

But yeah even American football, which I will admit is not my thing, can be so good and so intense. This postseason has to go down as maybe the greatest in the history of nfl. It was so good. People need to quit being so miserable and give things a shot before writing em off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I started playing at 27, I'm not 30 and only now can I properly throw a ball into the 70mph range. It's just something we're not taught in England.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yup. Same with how we weren’t really taught football in America depending on which community you grew up in.

At my peak I could pitch 93mph with control. Had a fastball that tailed, a big annoying looping curveball, and a splitter that I kinda just developed on my own which looked a bit like a knuckleball but dipped at the last second each time. That was my knock out punch. Low 90’s fast ball with movement and curve I didn’t like but as soon as I had 2 strikes on you that splitter would take you out with either it’s movement or the dramatic shift in speed to about 80mph.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I am imagining half the folks on this thread reading that and currently sat scratching their heads deeply confused
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Which just goes to prove my point that people need to ease up on the criticism and give things a go before bashing it. A lot more to each sport than we tend to give credit when we aren’t familiar with it. We see the bland outer appearance and jump to conclusions.

Btw more than half the American public hate the halftime shows (which I believe they only do for super bowl still). I think it’s to appease all those people who just accompany their friends or significant other for a good time.

What else are they gonna do anyways?

comment by DaveChels (U22639)
posted 51 minutes ago
comment by Cinciwolf---Wolves transfer strategy is brilliant, cautious, cautious, cautious, kid for 35 million, cautious, cautious, cautious. (U11551)
posted 12 minutes ago
Nothing better than reading a thread filled with insular brits afraid of anything outside their comfort zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------

There's lots I love about America but the tv presentation is over polished and insincere. I don't think brits take to that well.

Also sounds like the music doesn't have any electric guitars? from the land of Fender and Gibson is that would be pretty sad.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have an irrational hatred for American sports presentation where they sit about 1cm from each other and wear mahoosive headsets and boom mics as though modern day broadcast microelectronics has completely passed them by.

comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 45 minutes ago
There are too many games in basketball, I’m a massive fan and I struggle to care until after the all-star weekend
----------------------------------------------------------------------
now THERE'S a pointless game

comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 2 seconds ago
comment by DaveChels (U22639)
posted 51 minutes ago
comment by Cinciwolf---Wolves transfer strategy is brilliant, cautious, cautious, cautious, kid for 35 million, cautious, cautious, cautious. (U11551)
posted 12 minutes ago
Nothing better than reading a thread filled with insular brits afraid of anything outside their comfort zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------

There's lots I love about America but the tv presentation is over polished and insincere. I don't think brits take to that well.

Also sounds like the music doesn't have any electric guitars? from the land of Fender and Gibson is that would be pretty sad.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have an irrational hatred for American sports presentation where they sit about 1cm from each other and wear mahoosive headsets and boom mics as though modern day broadcast microelectronics has completely passed them by.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You know football commentators do exactly this?

Literally never seen this from pundits and I pretty much watch baseball every day during the summer

Also,- for DaveChels, the US is the home of 90% of music we listen to, not just guitar music!

But why do our commentators have to freeze their asses off. Still looks like something out the 70’s.

comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 5 seconds ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 45 minutes ago
There are too many games in basketball, I’m a massive fan and I struggle to care until after the all-star weekend
----------------------------------------------------------------------
now THERE'S a pointless game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not my favourite sport, but it's growing at an insane rate!

comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 16 minutes ago
As someone who played baseball for about 20 years of my life I can appreciate why those who have never tried it would be so afraid to give it a chance.

Without being able to appreciate the skill possessed by each player in their positions and the strategy called by the managers it may come off as a bunch of standing around. It’s almost all a game of reflexes and mind games.

After high school when I began making my first international friends I was so surprised to see how bad people in general are when throwing…any type of ball. I had always assumed it was a natural thing to learn to throw as a kid. Obviously there are levels.

But yeah even American football, which I will admit is not my thing, can be so good and so intense. This postseason has to go down as maybe the greatest in the history of nfl. It was so good. People need to quit being so miserable and give things a shot before writing em off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I play cricket to a pretty good standard and bowl at a decent pace.

I'm always surprised at how girly most people outside of the cricket world look when they try to throw a ball.

comment by Tamwolf (U17286)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 16 minutes ago
As someone who played baseball for about 20 years of my life I can appreciate why those who have never tried it would be so afraid to give it a chance.

Without being able to appreciate the skill possessed by each player in their positions and the strategy called by the managers it may come off as a bunch of standing around. It’s almost all a game of reflexes and mind games.

After high school when I began making my first international friends I was so surprised to see how bad people in general are when throwing…any type of ball. I had always assumed it was a natural thing to learn to throw as a kid. Obviously there are levels.

But yeah even American football, which I will admit is not my thing, can be so good and so intense. This postseason has to go down as maybe the greatest in the history of nfl. It was so good. People need to quit being so miserable and give things a shot before writing em off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I play cricket to a pretty good standard and bowl at a decent pace.

I'm always surprised at how girly most people outside of the cricket world look when they try to throw a ball.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've learnt to throw a ball like a baseball player, always found it really weird the sort of stunted sidearm thing that cricket players do when throwing!

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by DaveChels (U22639)
posted 55 seconds ago
Of course the bestest most exciting American sport is Ice Hockey. Invented by Canadians.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that is an excellent sport. Aside from never being able to see the damn puck

comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 5 seconds ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 45 minutes ago
There are too many games in basketball, I’m a massive fan and I struggle to care until after the all-star weekend
----------------------------------------------------------------------
now THERE'S a pointless game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not my favourite sport, but it's growing at an insane rate!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Basektball is a brilliant sport and I find it much easier to watch than baseball, which I don't mind if its on in the background.

I do think the amount of other "activities" going on in a baseball game speaks volumes - that being said I did get to see a Kershaw no-hitter for the dodgers, which I didnt have a clue about the signficance until all the fans on the bus back were going nuts

comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 42 seconds ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 5 seconds ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 45 minutes ago
There are too many games in basketball, I’m a massive fan and I struggle to care until after the all-star weekend
----------------------------------------------------------------------
now THERE'S a pointless game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not my favourite sport, but it's growing at an insane rate!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Basektball is a brilliant sport and I find it much easier to watch than baseball, which I don't mind if its on in the background.

I do think the amount of other "activities" going on in a baseball game speaks volumes - that being said I did get to see a Kershaw no-hitter for the dodgers, which I didnt have a clue about the signficance until all the fans on the bus back were going nuts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I watched the third Verlander no hitter against Toronto.

No hitters are staggeringly hard things to do, only 314 have been thrown since the MLB began in 1876.

That's right, the MLB is older than the football league. For once the US has something that trumps us historically

comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Tamwolf (U17286)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 16 minutes ago
As someone who played baseball for about 20 years of my life I can appreciate why those who have never tried it would be so afraid to give it a chance.

Without being able to appreciate the skill possessed by each player in their positions and the strategy called by the managers it may come off as a bunch of standing around. It’s almost all a game of reflexes and mind games.

After high school when I began making my first international friends I was so surprised to see how bad people in general are when throwing…any type of ball. I had always assumed it was a natural thing to learn to throw as a kid. Obviously there are levels.

But yeah even American football, which I will admit is not my thing, can be so good and so intense. This postseason has to go down as maybe the greatest in the history of nfl. It was so good. People need to quit being so miserable and give things a shot before writing em off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I play cricket to a pretty good standard and bowl at a decent pace.

I'm always surprised at how girly most people outside of the cricket world look when they try to throw a ball.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've learnt to throw a ball like a baseball player, always found it really weird the sort of stunted sidearm thing that cricket players do when throwing!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Shouldn't be a stunted sidearm. Your elbow is supposed to be parallel or slightly higher than shoulder height when you throw.

I coach cricket as well and teach people how to build their throwing action. Most people's problem is that their elbow is low when they throw, meaning they don't use the whole of their arm and they lose balance when their body rotates with their attempts to get power and distance.

comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 42 seconds ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 5 seconds ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 45 minutes ago
There are too many games in basketball, I’m a massive fan and I struggle to care until after the all-star weekend
----------------------------------------------------------------------
now THERE'S a pointless game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not my favourite sport, but it's growing at an insane rate!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Basektball is a brilliant sport and I find it much easier to watch than baseball, which I don't mind if its on in the background.

I do think the amount of other "activities" going on in a baseball game speaks volumes - that being said I did get to see a Kershaw no-hitter for the dodgers, which I didnt have a clue about the signficance until all the fans on the bus back were going nuts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I watched the third Verlander no hitter against Toronto.

No hitters are staggeringly hard things to do, only 314 have been thrown since the MLB began in 1876.

That's right, the MLB is older than the football league. For once the US has something that trumps us historically
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Meh, it doesn't really. That was a league that then integretated into the official "MLB" at a far later date - the FA is older that any Baseball league but the football league only developed its "official" title in 1888. The clubs and leagues had been going around before that and the league could claim to be "older" if it did it like the NL did.

comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by DaveChels (U22639)
posted 55 seconds ago
Of course the bestest most exciting American sport is Ice Hockey. Invented by Canadians.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that is an excellent sport. Aside from never being able to see the damn puck
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The only American sport I like.

comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 45 seconds ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by DaveChels (U22639)
posted 55 seconds ago
Of course the bestest most exciting American sport is Ice Hockey. Invented by Canadians.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that is an excellent sport. Aside from never being able to see the damn puck
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The only American sport I like.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shame it's Canadian.

comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 42 seconds ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 5 seconds ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 45 minutes ago
There are too many games in basketball, I’m a massive fan and I struggle to care until after the all-star weekend
----------------------------------------------------------------------
now THERE'S a pointless game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not my favourite sport, but it's growing at an insane rate!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Basektball is a brilliant sport and I find it much easier to watch than baseball, which I don't mind if its on in the background.

I do think the amount of other "activities" going on in a baseball game speaks volumes - that being said I did get to see a Kershaw no-hitter for the dodgers, which I didnt have a clue about the signficance until all the fans on the bus back were going nuts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I watched the third Verlander no hitter against Toronto.

No hitters are staggeringly hard things to do, only 314 have been thrown since the MLB began in 1876.

That's right, the MLB is older than the football league. For once the US has something that trumps us historically
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Meh, it doesn't really. That was a league that then integretated into the official "MLB" at a far later date - the FA is older that any Baseball league but the football league only developed its "official" title in 1888. The clubs and leagues had been going around before that and the league could claim to be "older" if it did it like the NL did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional football only came into being in 1885, compared to baseball in 1869...

So where we at, on the thread of the day.
We all agreed to give the NFL its respect yes?
Good good

comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 41 minutes ago
comment by Alisson Becker, Liverpool's Number 9 (U3979)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by DaveChels (U22639)
posted 55 seconds ago
Of course the bestest most exciting American sport is Ice Hockey. Invented by Canadians.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that is an excellent sport. Aside from never being able to see the damn puck
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The only American sport I like.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FFS, is not being able to see things a sport now? Probably invented by the woke so that Stevie Wonder could get a medal.