My fiance lost an eye when he was fifteen just the sight from a bad car accident. Is it possible even to play in the minor league withh one eye? He's still great and passionate about it just doesn't get the drive because he assumes that he won't be able to play semi-professionally or professionally. Help me prove him wrong! I say one person can change it but I need someone to tell me if I'm being a dreamer or is he being hopeless.
2007-03-06 00:50:43 · 8 answers · asked by jessica_delarosa06 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
He's great when it comes to pitching and I think he has the advantage because he's been working with depth perception problem since he was fifteen. He's 22 now and he can throw and catch really good. He can play the game above average than others that have two. The weird thing is that we skeet shot and he is just the best at it he can shoot with great accuracy better than most again. He's a right hander and lost left eye.
2007-03-06 01:57:59 · update #1
Depth perception has to be his worse enemy. If he's able to master that it still must be extremely difficult for him. It must be terrible to love the game as he appears to and yet have to deal with type of situation. I give him a lot of credit. There is a danger factor that can't be ignored but when someone has a dream the best thing to do is "GO FOR IT"!!! Good luck!
2007-03-07 08:00:57 · answer #1 · answered by Yankee Dude 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
His ability to compete at a high level may depend on whether or not he's a pitcher. I would guess that if he were a pitcher he could compensate for the loss of his eye.
You may recall however, that Kirby Pucket, one of the great hitters of all time had to retire when he lost sight in an eye. He lost his depth perception.
One other aspect he would have to consider is that baseballs travel at high velocities, and without depth perception, standing 60'6" from a batter that could send a ball back at you at hundreds of miles per hour might be pretty scarry. If he were a right hander and his right eye was bad, I think I'd develop a pitching approach that protected my left eye. He has a lot at stake with his remaining eye and developing some approach to help safeguard his eye would be prudent. Perhaps others know of protective devices that wouldn't severely limit his vision.
2007-03-06 09:06:56 · answer #2 · answered by Coach 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would love to be the optimistic, cheery, and positive person who doesn't squelch dreams. However, your fiance is in a very poor position to succeed in baseball at any level above recreational. If you are saying his vision in one eye is gone, then he will be at a tremendous disadvantage.
Humans have two eyes situated in the front of their head because it's an evolutionary trait we've developed as predators. Note other animals that have two eyes in front (lions, bears, wolves, bats, etc). We've evolved that way because the depth perception from two eyes situated slightly apart help animals track prey and gauge distance rather accurately. Compare this to traditional 'prey' animals (such as deer, most birds and fish) who for the most part have eyes situated on either side of their head to get the widest view possible (the better to spot oncoming predators). This is evolution. Predators need depth perception.
Baseball relies HEAVILY on the ability of a player to find and track a ball, much like predators track prey. To be able to see a ball coming out of a pitcher's hand, identify the rate of speed, and react to hit it REQUIRES depth perception. To succeed without it, unfortunately, is agreed to be near impossible. The same goes for a fielder who tracks balls hit off of a bat.
If you close one eye, it seems as though your vision is no worse for wear. Try having someone throw an object to you from a reasonable distance while you have one eye shut...and suddenly you realize your disadvantage.
Being a dreamer is nothing to be ashamed of. I am sorry to be so clinical to you. But without depth perception, your fiance can not hope to succeed as a talented player in a professional league, as he's at a severe disadvantage.
Matt Diaz was a professional ballplayer who had limited depth-perception. However he had two functional eyes.
If your fiance is a pitcher, maybe he would be useful in leagues where he does not bat. But understand, athletic ability or no, his vision will severly handicap his ability to hit a moving ball.
2007-03-06 10:30:31 · answer #3 · answered by IrishSamurai 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suppose you can play, but it would be a bit difficult, especially trying to hit a baseball coming at you over 80 mph. With one eye, he might lose some depth perception which is a skill that is needed with hitting. But you never know... we humans can over come all kinds of obstacles, and your fiance may too.
2007-03-06 09:01:24 · answer #4 · answered by Feathery 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do believe Abe Alverese on the Red Sox is Legaly blind in one of his eyes, that why he tilts his hat to make his good eye more powerful. So I would have to say yes as long as he can pitch consistenly, I forgot the guys name but there was a man with one hand he would pitch with the glove snug on his non hand arm, and the slip his glove on.
2007-03-06 12:37:42 · answer #5 · answered by jjddbbjr 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like everyone would say that you can do anything. I would say yes but he has to get that negative crap out of his head and say this is what I want to do and do it! Practice,Practice,Practice and it should fall in place for him. Self-discipline,determination and dedication will get him there. I hope he does try at least and I wish him all the luck.
2007-03-06 09:08:55 · answer #6 · answered by YB1H8R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not. Some players have made the majors with just one arm.
2007-03-06 09:46:07 · answer #7 · answered by Drunk365 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George Brett supposedly had very poor vision in his right eye. Legally blind, if I'm not mistaken.
So...anything's possible.
2007-03-06 09:10:58 · answer #8 · answered by William M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋