David Wrights Barehanded Catch vs Few Cricket Catches??

Question

Im not sure why the commentators were making a huge deal about that catch? pitch was thrown at 79mph, it was a bloop and ball is only 5 ounces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFlpHmjdGSM

now here are few cricket catches i could find online btw catches like these are not uncommon , ball is 5.5 ounces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfs3xqOOOOQ (this was a decent one)

This one is better; cause i field in that same position and i know for a fact ball slices alot sharper and comes at u like a bullet (good reflexes are must to field that 'point' position, as we call it)

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-6437685842446666448&q=catch

btw i couldnt find any video clips of over the head catches but they do happen.

question is why such a big deal with that david wrights catch, ask any cricketer and they will all say thats a fairly easy catch.

btw neither of them were test matches(as they were wearing colored clothings), second, i believe one of them was twenty20 match (lasts Only 2 1/2 hrs)

Answer 1

First, David Wright plays third base, and it's not for nothing that this is referred to as the hot corner.

That pitch may have been only 79 mph (there are pitchers who routinely throw in the high 90's and one or two who easily reach triple digits) but at what speed was it headed back out? Third basemen frequently come into the infield on any given pitch, so although the bag itself is 90' from the plate, a 3rd baseman could at any time be fielding a ball travelling at well over 90 mph from a distance of less than 60'. He then has to get that ball thrown over, generally to first base, as soon as he fields that ball, and get it there accurately an on a sufficiently timely basis to allow the first baseman to put out the batter-runner. So, to borrow from competitive diving and gymnastics, what was the "degree of difficulty" of the whole of that play?

Further, in cricket the defense has an additional two fielders in action at all times, on a field that is smaller in area than is the one used in baseball. Now, that means each cricketer is covering a smaller area when they are on defense, and that in and of itself makes things easier for a cricketer than for a baseball player.

And please, don't start talking about how ballplayers have pretective equipment to help them. It's just that, PROTECTIVE equipment, and it means that over the past 120 years or so, basebal has a whole has been more intelligent and cared more about the lives and welfare of their players than has cricket.

If you are truly interested in learning about baseball, a sport that is growing in popularity in the US and around the world, then please ask questions that reflect that interest and not questions that accuse the sport of anything. And on the topic of popularity, please see the link that I've included.

Answer 2

The catch made by David Wright is more difficult than the catch made by that cricket player. David was running and looking up/back. He had to catch the ball backhanded while the cricket player caught the ball from his right side. If David hadn't caught that ball, it could've been an extra base run. Just so you know, that catch by David is bested by the catch made by Endy Chavez in the 7th game of the NLCS. Endy robbed the Cardinal player of two run homerun. Also, the chance for a baseball player to injure himself while trying to catch the ball is higher because the spaces between players are smaller. There are some instances where two players collide into each other or crash into the wall sacrificing their body. That third video doesn't impress me at all. A lot of better catches are made in baseball games. I also see that baseball pitchers have it harder than cricket pitchers 'cause cricket pitchers bounce the ball on the ground whereas baseball pitchers have to come up with tricky pitches that sometimes reach 100 miles per hour. It's find that you don't like baseball but don't be so bitter just because baseball is more popular.

Answer 3

You seem to be hung up on comparing cricket to baseball, what's the big deal? In previous questions, you make it sound as if Americans have nothing better to do than ridicule cricket. It's not on our minds, we don't care about it, it's not even in our consciousness. I don't get your infatuation with this subject.

You also suggest we "ask any cricketer". The problem is the vast majority of Americans don't know anyone who PLAYS cricket. Whether you admit it or not baseball does require a lot of skill, and much more athleticism that your beloved cricket. I would beg to differ that Wright's catch was "easy". You need to stop this ridiculous comparison between baseball and cricket. You need to get a life, and quickly my friend.

Answer 4

I think the bigger question is why annoying fans of a game - cricket - that nobody here cares about, continue to infest this board?

Go play your little 3-day cricket matches, and let us talk about a sport about which some of us actually give a damn.

Answer 5

that's a great match to watch