Baseball is such a great game. Since the beginning of the game in the mid 1800s there have been rules and rule changes. These changes are difficult to handle for some traditionalists like myself but like anything we must adapt or die. Well I am not ready to quit on baseball so when there are changes, I have to be open minded enough to handle them. However, some of the other rules, like the unwritten ones still have their place. There are several of these that some coaches and players are just not taught and can make for some uncomfortable situations. I wanted to share a couple of these so that you might understand what I am talking about.
1 - not swinging at the first pitch - there are some that would say not to swing and other like myself might say that might be the best hittable pitch of your at bat. I say phooey to this unwritten rule every pitcher at every level wants to get ahead of the hitter and I say mash that pitch to the moon.
2 - don't swing at the 3-0 pitch - This like the first pitch may be the best pitch of the at bat. I know, I know, I know most of the time we will be taking 3-0 but sometimes the green light here may be just what the doctor ordered.
3 - stealing bases when you have a big lead or are getting beat fairly bad - this one is important to me. Running on a team that you are beating by 9 or 10 runs is just embarrassing. This also goes for the team that is getting beat. Once you have the game in hand or if the game is pretty far out of reach stop running. Unless there is a passed ball or wild pitch stealing with a huge lead or deficit just shows how far from baseball reality you really are.
4 - Making the first or third out at third - inning crushing outs as your team is poised for a big inning and you get over aggressive and thrown out at 3rd base. Brutal. I think the rule should be "Never make and out at 3rd Base". Most players can score from 2nd on a base hit. Don't take third unless you know you can make it. Just saying.
5 - Never bunt to break up a No-Hitter - I mean c'mon really - would you do this. It its late in the game your team is hitless and you getting beat fairly well would you consider bunting just to ruin the No-No? I mean if the game is close and the corners are back maybe but if the one run isn't going to help you win then swing away and take your chances.
6 - Never walk in front of the catcher - I would take this one a step farther. I would never walk in front of the catcher or the umpire. I would always go behind them. I don't know if I did this for etiquette purposes, but it was just part of my routine before batting.
7 - Never over celebrate a home run or strike out - this one can be a touchy subject. A big strikeout or timely homer can change the entire landscape of a game. Celebrating is only natural for a competitive person. However, players need to try to have some composure as not to show up your opponent.
8 - Never show up your teammates - Most important of all the unwritten baseball rules - do not throw your teammate(s) under the bus when things are not going well. They know they messed up. You don't have to add salt to the wound by reminding them. Very bad taste for pointing out other players mistakes. Remember what goes around comes around. Maybe the next game it will be you that drops the pop up or throws the ball away and you don't want any of your teammates reminding you of your blunder either. So instead of pointing to your teammate and casting out blame maybe you should pick them up both with your words and your play. Don't allow errors to become contagious.
I hope you have enjoyed some of my unwritten rules - there are many more, but these are the ones that seem to be broken the most so - here you go. Proper credit goes to Chelena Goldman (NBC Sports Journalist) - however I have added my two cents to some of these as well. The cover picture was from Brian Mcfadden's Updating America's Pastime. See you guys at the park.
Coach Bale
