Friday, July 10, 2015

A neat way to make baseball more exciting - Baseball Nordic Style

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This might be the quote of the year about getting more excitement into baseball.
"If you dropped acid and decided to go make baseball, this is what you would end up with," said Andy Johnson, a Minnesota Twins scout based in Norway.
I guess we can count on the support of one Bill Walton to making this change then, right? Although he might hold out for some reds, Vitamin C (euphemism alert?) and cocaine for good measure.

Image result for livin on reds vitamin c and cocaine

I'm not sure I'm down with the T-Ball/coach pitch tossing of the ball to the batter. What happens to all of our pitchers? I mean, Bumgarner would hit, but we lose a lot there. Crazy Finns!!

from WSJ.com
What Finland Can Teach America About Baseball
Tired of pitchers ambling around the mound? In Finland, there is no mound. Pitchers stand beside the hitter and toss the ball vertically over the plate.
Unlike in the American game, where batted balls sometimes feel like a rarity, Finnish baseball has constant action. PHOTO: JUKKA RASIMUS

Falling asleep waiting for the next batted ball? In Finland, hitters put nearly every pitch in play, sending fielders scampering in every direction. Players aren't allowed to call for time between plays or pitches.

Seen enough late-inning pitching changes? In Finland, there are no relievers. The typical pitcher throws every inning of every game, all season long.

And those are only some of the quirks of a game that includes a zigzag base path, a rectangular outfield, trios of designated hitters called jokers and managers whose primary mode of communication resembles the feathers of a peacock.

"If you dropped acid and decided to go make baseball, this is what you would end up with," said Andy Johnson, a Minnesota Twins scout based in Norway.

https://twitter.com/sabr/status/619268173452324864

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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

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  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
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  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
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  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
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