Do You Have to Have Been Good at Baseball to Understand It?

[Omar 382]

This is a common myth perpetrated by those who lack knowledge of the sports. "If you never were amazing at baseball then you don't know what you're talking about!" (I was actually pretty decent at baseball, but that's besides the point). The irony is that these same people never reached MLB, so by their theory, they don't know what they're talking about. So which is it?

 

[Voltaire26]

It helps to have played at a high level. You can't understand what a 98 MPH fastball is, until you've face one. You don't necessarily had to have made it to MLB to understand.

 

[Omar 382]

It helps to have played at a high level. You can't understand what a 98 MPH fastball is, until you've face one. You don't necessarily had to have made it to MLB to understand.

So you don't understand baseball, because you've never hit a 98 MPH fastball?

 

[Nasty_Magician]

To understand it? No. To appreciate all the little intricacies? It certainly doesn't hurt.

 

[Omar 382]

To understand it? No. To appreciate all the little intricacies? It certainly doesn't hurt.

No, it doesn't hurt, but that wasn't the question. Is it absolutely fundamental to understanding it?

 

[Voltaire26]

So you don't understand baseball, because you've never hit a 98 MPH fastball?

I have faced a 98 MPH fastball (with lots of movement), I just never hit it. That's why I rarely criticize other players. These MLB players can feast off a 98+ MPH Fastball.

 

[Omar 382]

So MLB players are infallible now?

 

[Voltaire26]

To play at a high level (semi pro in my case), gives you a greater understanding of the game and a greater appreciation for the players.

 

[Voltaire26]

So MLB players are infallible now?

You asked a good question ... are you looking to turn it into a debate. Sorry wrong person here.

 

[Omar 382]

So I can't appreciate how hard it must have been for Jesus to fast in the desert for 40 days unless I do it myself?

 

[Nasty_Magician]

No, it doesn't hurt, but that wasn't the question. Is it absolutely fundamental to understanding it?

Hence why I said no.

 

[calsnowskier]

I think all kids and handicapped people should be escorted out of the stadium before all games. They simply cant appreciate the game.

 

[broncosmitty]

Id love to slap Omar right in his mouth sometimes.

 

[Omar 382]

Id love to slap Omar right in his mouth sometimes.

Ditto

 

[calsnowskier]

Ditto

 

[Dolemite censored]

There are a lot of nuances to the game that you pick up on if you've played at a high level

 

[Indrid Cold]

I faced guys who could throw around 90mph, never anything like 98...but, it wasn't the fastballs that bothered me.
It was the sliders that looked the same coming in as the fastballs.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

I actually thing the opposite... I find people who played or had a significant role in any high level baseball have a problem with understanding what is really important...

They will look at a players swing instead of his results... How clean their defense is instead of whether they make the play or not... or whatever... They tend to evaluate talent much more than others... and baseball is probably the most results driven sport...

 

[broncosmitty]

I actually thing the opposite... I find people who played or had a significant role in any high level baseball have a problem with understanding what is really important...

They will look at a players swing instead of his results... How clean their defense is instead of whether they make the play or not... or whatever... They tend to evaluate talent much more than others... and baseball is probably the most results driven sport...

That's why John McGraw never got to 3000 wins.

 

[packerzrule]

certainly helps to appreciate it more if you have played it but certainly it is not a prerequisite to understanding it