Baseball is actually pretty hard to explain in the abstract. The best way to do it, Iʼve found, is to grab a bat and ball and just start playing. When I took my students in Most Cow out to the paved playground behind the school, I remember the wide eyes of the security guard. When other teachers asked me what was going on, I explained it was because there were many baseball expressions used in both in business English and everyday expressions, and to understand them, you had to know the rules of the game. If you want to understand Jack Wardenʼs character in "12 Angry Men", you have to know baseball.
Years later students told me that lesson is what they remembered best. I felt flattered when they agreed with me that baseball is most interesting as a concept, then as a game to play, next as an event to watch in a stadium, least as something to watch on TV.
Personally never listened to a game on the radio for more than a few minutes. Donʼt have a favorite team or player, but will watch the All Star game. Glad they donʼt spit tobacco juice anymore.
Growing up, I had a similar situation with TV at home in Rochester. The big, clunky set was consigned to the basement. Black and white of course. I thought color was a fad that would pass. Even today, B&W feels more authentic. When commercials came on, Mom would turn the sound off, but we didnʼt switch channels. When races came on, I could invariably pick the winner just by looking at the horses as they approached the gate. A talent that only failed me if I made a wager.
Mom would watch football, which Dad disdained. He would criticize the announcerʼs vocabulary. "If you say a player is indefensible, it means he cannot be defended. But what the man means is he cannot be stopped." Whatʼs the word for that, I asked. Dad thought for a moment. "Indefeasible." Might be the only time Iʼve ever heard that word spoken. So I get my love of the NY Giants from the maternal side, and my pickiness about language from the paternal.
Would never have thought about this without your essay.
I listen to parts of many games on radio every year, sometimes even entire games. I like to listen to games — especially Red Sox games — when I'm driving, especially on long rides. Many people say that the sound of a baseball game being called on the radio is soporific, but for me it's the opposite. I construct the field of play in my head and 'watch' it as I'm driving.
I started out as a Yankee fan, but adopted the Mets with Pop. How did a fan of the two New York teams switch allegiance to Boston? Well, my 3 children were all born within walking distance of Fenway Park, for starters. . .
I too can be quite picky about language. Which doesn't mean that I'm always right. It's horribly annoying whenever I discover that I've been mispronouncing or misusing some fancy word.
Sportscasters are guilty of many sins, but the worst of them is their murder of the subjunctive. Never say "If Jones, the shortstop, had not fumbled the ball, Smith, the batter, would have been out." Instead say either "If Jones doesn't fumble that ball, Smith is out," or "If Jones would have handled that ball, Smith was out."
You tell the best stories, John.
Thank you. You ain't so bad yourself. As always, thanks for your help spreading the word.
Throughly enjoyed this John 😂😌
Thanks! Tell your friends! Mwah!
Baseball is actually pretty hard to explain in the abstract. The best way to do it, Iʼve found, is to grab a bat and ball and just start playing. When I took my students in Most Cow out to the paved playground behind the school, I remember the wide eyes of the security guard. When other teachers asked me what was going on, I explained it was because there were many baseball expressions used in both in business English and everyday expressions, and to understand them, you had to know the rules of the game. If you want to understand Jack Wardenʼs character in "12 Angry Men", you have to know baseball.
Years later students told me that lesson is what they remembered best. I felt flattered when they agreed with me that baseball is most interesting as a concept, then as a game to play, next as an event to watch in a stadium, least as something to watch on TV.
Personally never listened to a game on the radio for more than a few minutes. Donʼt have a favorite team or player, but will watch the All Star game. Glad they donʼt spit tobacco juice anymore.
Growing up, I had a similar situation with TV at home in Rochester. The big, clunky set was consigned to the basement. Black and white of course. I thought color was a fad that would pass. Even today, B&W feels more authentic. When commercials came on, Mom would turn the sound off, but we didnʼt switch channels. When races came on, I could invariably pick the winner just by looking at the horses as they approached the gate. A talent that only failed me if I made a wager.
Mom would watch football, which Dad disdained. He would criticize the announcerʼs vocabulary. "If you say a player is indefensible, it means he cannot be defended. But what the man means is he cannot be stopped." Whatʼs the word for that, I asked. Dad thought for a moment. "Indefeasible." Might be the only time Iʼve ever heard that word spoken. So I get my love of the NY Giants from the maternal side, and my pickiness about language from the paternal.
Would never have thought about this without your essay.
Hamilton, thanks for another great comment.
I listen to parts of many games on radio every year, sometimes even entire games. I like to listen to games — especially Red Sox games — when I'm driving, especially on long rides. Many people say that the sound of a baseball game being called on the radio is soporific, but for me it's the opposite. I construct the field of play in my head and 'watch' it as I'm driving.
I started out as a Yankee fan, but adopted the Mets with Pop. How did a fan of the two New York teams switch allegiance to Boston? Well, my 3 children were all born within walking distance of Fenway Park, for starters. . .
I too can be quite picky about language. Which doesn't mean that I'm always right. It's horribly annoying whenever I discover that I've been mispronouncing or misusing some fancy word.
Sportscasters are guilty of many sins, but the worst of them is their murder of the subjunctive. Never say "If Jones, the shortstop, had not fumbled the ball, Smith, the batter, would have been out." Instead say either "If Jones doesn't fumble that ball, Smith is out," or "If Jones would have handled that ball, Smith was out."