Wow - that's the second time today someone's pointed me to an article that made me cry! I must have the off-season blues really bad.

Since we're talking about the female baseball perspective again, I thought you guys might be interested in a fantastic book that I just read: "Breaking into Baseball:Women in the National Pastime". Bronx Banter's article talks about how many Red Sox and Cardinals fans are women, well, in the prologue of this book, there is a quote from someone in the Twins organization saying that 48% of Twins fans are women! There's also a great story about the lyrics from "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" that I never knew or suspected.

I know BG's having trouble getting people to read the assigned material ;) But this book was too good to keep to myself!

There's no spitting on or throwing things at ballplayers in NYC? I assume I'm still free to call them a bunch of spoiled crybabies?

Thanks for the link about the influence women can have on young baseball fans.

Oh, and, uh, that kid? Are you sure she's not practicing sliding headfirst into first base? Small ballplayers usually do that. *grin*

94 days until pitchers and catchers report....

Won't you take me to..... TWINKIE TOWN!!

ahem...

sorry

That little girl looks ready for a BRAWL. I imagine Dougie's daughter would look just like her, born with pine tar already stuck on her fingers.

P.S. Beege, I believe this entry should be Bat Miscellany IV. BM III: The Return... was on Nov. 9th.

I should have read the Belth article before I put on my make-up.

Great, that picture's made me broody :-)

...the New York City Council has made it a crime to throw things at or spit on baseball players."

Crap, that must mean Manny's coming to the Mets after all. Did you notice that the fine print on that statute says "unless the player's name is John Rocker"?

Given that spring training is so terribly far away, I thought I'd pass along something I saw in an old issue of The National Pastime (published by SABR). In article about 19th century shortstop Dickey Pearce, the author mentions in passing that in the 1860s and 1870s, it was popular to play a form of baseball in the winter on ice skates.

I'm having a hard time picturing this, mainly because I keep thinking of Matthew LeCroy in one of those outfits figure skaters wear. Maybe some Legovision would help. Anyway, it seems to me that if this is ever to become popular again, the Land of 10,000 Lakes would be the place. Any thoughts?

"Are you sure she's not practicing sliding headfirst into first base"

She better not be! Although that's probably one way she'll rebel against me when she gets older. That, and sacrifice bunting in the first inning.

Oh, and, that's not pine tar on her, but I have no idea what it is!

First what a cute little munchkin!!

Secondly -thank you so much for the link about Marylou - it was touching!

Third - no to Mike Piazza -

Have a great weekend!!

much love
Wonder Woman

I think it was Rogers Hornsby:

Q - What do you do during the off season?
A - I stare out the window and wait for spring.

What would be wrong with Piazza? We could convince him to DH. I'm sure there's enough left in his bat to be useful there......right?

I'm really confused...

A battery is a battery. Did they classify battery on a baseball player as a special crime or something?

Piazza, being less of a catcher and more of a DH (a role he's willing to play), will stay healthier and wind up hitting better than he has the last few years (which is a decent amount of added offense).

Problem is, he's going to cost a pretty penny and I don't think Pohl-cat's willing to pony up.

"Kasdon said the law was authored carefully so as not to stifle sporting traditions like tossing a baseball back onto the field after a home run"

Too bad. Personally I think the charm of this "tradition" has long since worn off and I'd love to see it outlawed anywhere outside of Wrigley Field. It's not the action itself I object to, but now that it's come to the point where fans are taunted relentlessly and essentially forced to throw the ball back whether they want to or not, that's not cute, that's just obnoxious.

This is completely unrelated to anything else in this post, I think, so it fits perfectly.

I had a dream last night. The Twins made a trade for Adam Dunn, giving away none other than Francisco Liriano. I couldn't believe they went back on their word that they wouldn't trade Liriano, especially for Dunn, who in my opinion is very good but not worthy of losing a prospect like Liriano. Additionally, Kirby Puckett was set to make a triumphant comeback to MLB (apparently his eye miraculously healed and he got back into shape and wasn't too old), playing for (cue ominous fanfare) the bitch sox. Needless to say, it was a fitful night of unrest.

Dear Mr. Sacky,

Horrible, horrible.

In college, Batgirl was dating a Phillies phan, and there were rumors the Phils might try to sign Kirby one off-season. Batgirl explained to said boyfriend that if that happened, she would have to break up with him. He was very understanding about it.

Sincerely,
Batgirl

Hi Word Smith,

I personally think the throwing the ball back "tradition" should be banned at Wrigley as well. I was watching a Cubs game this season where the fans harassed a guy in the bleachers mercilessly for a good amount of time (enough to certainly make the man nervous). The TV cameras sat on this the entire time - no one actually needs to see THE GAME or anything - until eventually someone handed the guy another ball for him to throw back. The crowd cheered wildly! It was thoroughly disgusting. I don't know what was worse - the fans going nuts for this stupid trick or the fact that some fan brought a baseball with him to the game so that he would have one to throw back in case he caught a home run ball.

Hey Twins fans

I have been a Twins fan since I was really young. I am really glad they won two world since I was born. Even though I dont remember that since I was really young thats why I enjoy watching them on tape because the only that sticks out in them World Series was the 1991 World Series is the Kirby Puckett catch in Game 6 and when he came up in the bottom of the 11th inning with a home run which really set the tone for the series. If I am correct Carl Pohlad was the owner. But nowadays it just gets to me that the Twins rely on the Farm Systems even though I am not saying that is bad. I know they have one of the best Farm Systems in the Major Leagues. If I heard Carl Pohlad said before the Trading deadline just this past year. He said he would be willing to spend any money on a player just to win the championship but he didnt do it. But he has Terry Ryan as the GM telling us that he will keep his eyes open on a possible trade this offseason but so far that hasn't happened. But I think its about time that Terry Ryan and Carl Pohlad spend damn money so they can win a championship. They need to get their heads out of their butts and get a get a good power hitter that will come in and attract the fans to come to the games. If they do that they will get more fans. Sign a Big name guy for once Terry and Carl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey You Damn Yankee Fans in Da Bronx

I really think the Yankee fans are terrible because they think they are big stuff beacause they have the money to field a team. About this spitting things going on at Yankee Stadium is just how it goes because we as Americans go to game and enjoy it to much. But it kind of reminds me of going to high school sporting events and the coaches and fans take the game so serious and they never want to lose and they take out on something that they shouldn't down on the kids but there are fans who make a big deal out nothing because an Umpire or referee makes a bad call and that makes the fans rousy so they as fans get greased up with beer and that cause them to act in a strange matter and use profane language. Even though it cost like $5.50 or $6 for plastic beer bottle from the vendors at the stadium which pretty makes me think man it sounds like the team Officials for the event want to charge you alot just to buy alcohol but the vendors make the bucks from you. They have been trying to cut down on every game on selling alcohol but that doesnt work. Take for instance i believe they stop selling beer after the 8th inning at the Metrodome but that just makes the beer drinkers want to drink as much before the 8th inning. But you as fans go to the game and want to enjoy what you can at the game. But about the New York spitting incidents well what can I say lol. New York is New York and everyone at the stadium will do whatever they can to intimidate the opposing teams players. I really don't care about New York because I hate New York and especially those New York Yankees. I love to see fans at metrodome cheer on a good team and waving the homer hankey and sticking together even if the team is Successfull. oh and another thing for the Legislature and Mr. Tim Pawlenty and staff. Start the special session because we as Twins would like our Twins stay here in Minnesota as long as possible. So MR PAWLENTY PLEASE CALL A SPECIAL SESSION AND SAVE THE TWINS AND VIKINGS. I AM SETH TIEGS AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE. WHAT DO YOU THINK BLOGGERS???

Dear Mr. Burnsville, MN,

Now, now, we have plenty of wonderful Yankee Fans who would never spit on anyone, even if they wanted to be spit on.

Sincerely,
Batgirl

I heard that New York doesn't particularly Care all that much for you Either ;-)

LOVE this pic...made me smile wide!

This is a big mistake. I have watched/wasted many an hour waiting for moments when the ballgame gets wild. You know, the great rhubarb, or the naked fan in the outfield. The day when baseball is reduced to routine infield grounders and docile, well-policed fans, is the day when I hit bottom and give up this silly addiction.