Conversion
Game 14: April 19, 2005
Blue Jays (9-6), 4
Red Sox (8-6), 3
W: Roy Halladay (3-0)
S: Miguel Batista (4)
BS: Alan Embree (1)
L: Keith Foulke (1-2)
I converted someone into a baseball and Red Sox fan tonight. I explained many key concepts of the game as well as Fenway traditions and history to the extent possible. There’s no rationality behind 32,000 plus people singing “Sweet Caroline” in the 8th inning. (Speaking of music at the ballpark, when the Fenway organist plays “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé it never fails to crack me up.) A beachball bounced near us and I admirably restrained myself from appearing psychotic and did not violently deflate it, as much as I wanted to. Unfortunately he didn’t get to hear “Dirty Water.” He quickly apprehended what it means to be a Red Sox fan, although he does have some ideas on “enhancing” baseball with soccer rules:
- Questioning the visual acuity of the home plate umpire: “Who is that guy that said that it was a ball? I’m not an eye doctor, but I have suggestions for him to improve his vision.” (He’s an MD.)
- Upon seeing David Ortiz fouling a ball off of his foot: “Maybe I should go down and help him. That’s very dangerous.”
- Commenting on the quick Red Sox at bats: “Why does our team keep on swinging so early? The other pitcher hardly has to throw any pitches.”
- When Kevin Millar got drilled in the 7th inning: “Isn’t there a penalty? Why doesn’t he get a red card or something?”
- Second guessing of the insertion of Jay Payton and Dave McCarty: “Why isn’t Manny batting here? He got pulled?”
I was saddened I did not get to explain the infield fly rule, but I did get to explain a balk. Bronson Arroyo is a great pitcher to show the difference between a full windup and pitching from the stretch, and Foulke was a fine example for demonstrating that not everyone’s fastball has to be over 90 MPH to be effective. I’ll give him a followup quiz regarding the requirements for a pitcher to be part of a decision. Next time I’ll introduce him to the nuances of scoring the game. Speaking of which, once I get my score sheets scanned in, I’ll post them with the corresponding “Game Comments” entry. I keep score (or try to) at every game I attend. They aren’t in demand like Jerry Remy’s work, but might be of some interest.
Comments
It's something I did for the first time ever when I took my mother to the game. Scoring the game is great because it makes it a lot easier to remember when and how things happened. I guess it helps to keep your mind focused so that you remember the game a lot more clearly, and for the parts you forget you have the record right there of what happened.
It's something I plan on doing going forward now. The only problem is that it is very helpful to have two people watching the game. One to keep an eye on the action while the other notes down results or to trade off when a bathroom break, etc.
Edmund Dantes ∙ 20 April 2005 ∙ 10:00 AM
Bathroom breaks are for the weak. How are you going to ensure that your replacement properly gauged the distance, velocity, and location of a particular line drive?
Empyreal ∙ 20 April 2005 ∙ 11:06 AM
Ya know, yesterday's game(aka the Wednesday night game) would've been perfect to use "Conversion" referring to David Wells. Though you should try "Baptismal" or something like that.
PTH ∙ 21 April 2005 ∙ 1:25 PM