I could pick on a lot of sports, but I'm sticking with baseball for these questions...1) Why does a batter spit into his glove after each pitch? Did something happen to the previous lunker you spit into your glove five seconds ago? 2) Why do batters step out of the box and readjust their gloves and helmet after each pitch? Did something happen in the last five seconds from the last time you did it? 3) Why do players spit so much...even when they don't chew tobacco, gum or nuts? 4) Why are fans so obcessed about getting a foul ball? Why do they fight over it? It's a baseball, you can get them at KMart for about .50 cents. 5) Do really, really fat guys at ball games without their shirts on and holding beers REALLY think they are sexy? 6) Why do fans yell at players, telling them what to do, do they really think the players are going to do what they say?
I like a good ballgame every once in a while, but I just don't get the sillyness surrounding it.
2006-07-09 08:08:24 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
tradition
2006-07-09 09:11:46 · answer #1 · answered by The ones you fear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. About spitting. Baseball is a very nasal game. Dirt from around the mound and batting area dries up and clogs the mucous membranes. The spitting is a clensing action. The dry dirt (dust) gets on everything...like batting gloves etc and tends to allow the bat to move somewhat in the batters hand. To imagine this, try picking up some sand at the beach and then trying to hold onto....well...a stick or a bat or anything else. You would naturally want to clean excess sand from your hand to increase your ability to grasp the bat, stick or whatever.
The opposite is when you pick up dirt to dry your hands if they are sweaty. It's what the Moody Blues called a "question of Balance". There is a delicate ph balance that the players need to handle their bat or hold their balls.
Also, this must be adjusted after each pitch because even if they don't swing, they are still taking the step forward (as if to swing) and there is body movement and the helmet may move and the batting gloves may shify a little.
And of course they want to be as comfortable as they can be.
Even though you can get a baseball at Kmart...it isn't the same quality, of course. It is also a momento and a little bit of a rare thing to have.
Fat guys burn up alot in the summer and it isn't so they look sexy but to surround the nodules of skin with as much cool air as possible. They rarely go to the beach because there are more women there than there are at ballgames so this is the only opportunity to get some sun without being embarrassed by how fat they are. Men will be men.
Lastly, fans pay good money to go to games....and we (they) feel cheated if a millionaire strikes out on three pitches or drops a routine ground ball. After all, we expect more from the pros. I can strike out and drop ground balls. I expect better than what I can do. Also, they are drunk by the seventh inning and are asleep in the back seat when they go home.
This is america.
2006-07-09 15:38:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask one question at a time. You make me dizzy!
1. Not all batters spit into their glove each time, but I hate all the spitting in basebal, too! It's gross !
2. I think batters adjust all their helmets & stuff because they need to feel comfortable at each pitch. Sometimes it helps them focus and prepare for the next pitch. You can see it in their eyes, they just feel more ready.
3. I answered this in #1.
4. A foul ball is a free souvenir and kids love them! I'm "slightly over 21" and I'd love to catch one myself! Getting a ball from a real major league game is pretty rare and it would be fun to say you got one.
5. You shouldn't say that about just the heavier guys. It could offend someone.
6. They yell at players becuz everyone thinks they know how to play better ball than the players even though they are in the stands and the players are the ones on the field getting it done. Besides, it's fun to yell at games. ; )
2006-07-09 21:28:19 · answer #3 · answered by Mary* 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're not a true baseball fan! But to entertain you:
1. Maybe they feel that it helps them get a better grip on the bat? The batter can't go back to the batting circle and grab more pine tar to put on his bat to get a better grip so he probably thinks the spit helps?
2. The batter is taking a second to collect himself and maybe throw off the pitcher a little bit.
3. The could spit to show they're a bad ***
4. IT'S FUN TO GET A FOUL BALL! To know that one of your favorite players had that ball, that's awesome!
5. They don't do it to be "sexy" they do it because they're hot! HI! YOu try sitting in the sun for 3 or more hours!! You'll want to take your shirt off!
6. No we do not think the players will listen to what we have to say but it's our way of showing them how we feel. It's not like we can walk up to them and say "Hey listen Manny... you really should have put some hustle into running for that bloop play. YOu're really slacking lately." NO WE CAN'T DO THAT!! :-) So we yell at him "YOU SUCK MANNY! GET OFF YOUR FAT *** AND RUN!" It's called passion and some have it and others don't
Only a true baseball fan would understand any of this!
2006-07-09 15:35:23 · answer #4 · answered by freddyg34 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
seriously, its all in the spirit of baseball. if u dont understand any of it, dont be a baseball fan. however for the first two answers, the players do that just so they can perform better. its also possible that it is a habit they have been doing since high school.
2006-07-09 15:21:36 · answer #5 · answered by Avi S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you've been watching too many red sox games.
2006-07-09 17:33:26 · answer #6 · answered by taxmannyc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋