Today is the 162nd anniversary of the creation of baseball...

VERY interesting!

In my opinion, it's the pitcher's choice.  It seems to me that, strategically and logically, the ability to switch-hit precedes the ability to switch-pitch.  In other words, switch-hitting exists because the batter wants to confound the pitcher, and now switch-pitching exists so that the pitcher isn't susceptible to switch-hitting.  (Ok, I know, switch-pitching is MOSTLY helpful for allowing the pitcher to be successful against right- AND left-handed batters regardless of whether or not there's even such a thing as "switch-hitters", but I still think it's most accurate to see switch-pitching as a RESPONSE TO switch-hitting.)  Thus... if the hitter switches sides and the pitcher neutralizes that move by switching hands, then the hitter has to live with the fact he's been thwarted fair-and-square.  Baseball shouldn't be making rules that render any given strategy impossible to counter, and that's what they'd be doing if they created some rule that said the pitcher has to commit to a hand before the batter commits to a box.  Switch-hitters will just have to know that THAT particular talent of theirs is useless against a switch-pitcher... I think that's fair.

And anyway, the switch-hit move is almost impossible to counter the way it is... I mean... who can switch-pitch?? This ONE guy?

Nah... a pitcher who can switch hands deserves the privilege of neutralizing all switch-hitters, in my opinion.

That was hilarious! I wonder...is that one of the first times it's come up?

This is pretty amazing: Redsox ballgirl catch.

That was AWESOME!

(Nothing like that every happened when I was a diamond girl!)

Good for HER!!  :) 

Yeah... see what happens I let myself get all lathered up?!  *sigh*
Sheesh.  That manipulative vixen.

I should never let the romance of baseball lead me to believe that baseball = sex.
Anyone that pushes that idea is all about selling something...

I'll leave the talk about sex and baseball to Meatloaf.

Not sure how reliable the source is, but here's a blog that talks about how it was staged; adding the ball in after post and that they used a stuntwoman and wires.

Snopes has it too.

I guess it depends on the budget. CGI would cost a buttload.

It kinda reminds me of those Toyota Tacoma commercials - this one is awesome.

That's too bad....it's not real :-(

That's disappointing.

Baseball IS about love.  ... let's start a letter writing campaign!
It can only help us better ourselves. 

I've been told the vid in the clip above doesn't go to completion

Here's a YouTube version of the entire 8 mins.

I feel the need to note - this may only be "funny/hilarious" if you are a baseball fan or enjoy talking to baseball fans.  It's a little crazy that the back and forth went on for an 8 minute stretch.  It made me smile anyway. 

There's something magical about it to me, really.

There's something innocent, and powerful and pure about the sport.   I also think of integrity - dignity... things I don't normally ascribe to other sports today.

First I like that baseball's not violent through the rules of the game itself.  It's also unpredictable and that makes it fun to watch.

I personally have always equated it to values which stand the test of time - the old cliche about mom, baseball, and apple pie.  The Ken Burns baseball documentary is so completely incredible to watch.  The history of the sport seems to speak to more than just competition for competition's sake.

The Sandlot is another one of my favorite baseball films.  I like this review on the IMdb page:

The film isn't quite a comedy, though there are really funny moments in it (such as the evil dog that eats baseballs). And, it's not exactly a drama. It's more like an occasionally surreal slice of life film about the good old days of the late 50s-early 60s. It's about a group of kids that live to play baseball--and that's all they ever seem to want to do! Despite this very simple plot, somehow the excellent acting, direction and writing make you really care about the kids and it engages you from start to finish. Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

Baseball has something for everybody.   It allows the seemingly powerless to have hope.

Another good film...

A League of Their Own

... is one of my favorite "good ol days" movies. And it will be FOREVVVVERRRRRR....

I can't remember the names of all of them but I used to love watching baseball movies when I was a kid. I think they tend to be more memorable to me because they always possessed that little bit of magic. Goood stuff. 

Another one of my favorites is Field of Dreams.

Who am I kidding here...

Noone can say it better than the GC.

Doesn't that just say it all?

Too right, DL...

Thanks for relinking that.

I think on your planet, it's this cute. 

That Jack is a cutie alright... on any planet for that matter.

I never saw Fever Pitch... I probably would have if Matthew was in it.

"Well its been building up inside of me
For oh I don't know how long..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zdhJvs22k8

..."Don't worry, Baby!"

Well, I've never seen that film... but glad you're likin' the Drew factor.

This is one that hits closer to home for me.

George Carlin passed away today.

He was a funny guy... there always seemed to me to be a certain integrity underlying his jokes.