A fun piece on the tradition of MLB teams playing college teams during spring training. I feel like this piece captures some of the magic, the dream the field can hold. What are your thoughts? Opinions? Responses? How does this piece play into any themes we're discussed thus far?
Giving it the Old College Try
This post is due on Monday night as we don't have classes on Monday.
It’s fascinating that despite the “lose-lose” situations for the pro-players in participating in these games, the tradition has carried on for decades. This also speaks to the pro team’s willingness to engage in the younger generation that might replace them a few years down the line. These games provide hope for the college players, and distinguish the pro teams from some of the more economically and strategically driven choices that the teams make. From playing on sports teams where we occasionally got the opportunity to match up against older more advanced teams, I know these are the games I would most look forward to. They’re fun because you know deep down that you’re probably going to loose, but it’s hard not to fantasize about the chance you have to beat the better team. In that sense each team can play without any fear of loosing. The younger team isn’t expected to win, so if/when they loose it’s not a great disappointment. With the more experienced teams, if they loose they can blame it on their lack of preparation and not really wanting to win the game. This juxtaposition where no team really looses is what perpetuates these games between college level and pro baseballers.
ReplyDeleteAlly
I think this is a really important tradition for the baseball community. It provides a sense of hope for the college teams and takes away the tense nature of spring training. It is a way to appreciate the game for what it is, with a few make shift rules (non-qualified umpires, etc.) It gives spectators an opportunity to see the pros go against a team that may be more relatable. This theme of being the underdog, which we have been discussing, is present in the scenario. The college teams all have a hope that they may be the next team to beat a pro team. Having that opportunity fuels the drive in the college players. Although it is a lose-lose situation for the pro teams, this tradition strips it down to just baseball. It gives college players an opportunity that they will never have again and gives the pros an opportunity to play for the sake of playing. This tradition represents the culture of baseball when it is stripped of the politics.
ReplyDelete-Chloë
Joe-
ReplyDeleteI think that these exhibition games are a great way to continue the traiditon of baseball as a game. Back in the 30s and 40s, this type of stuff was daily. Pitchers pitched 15 inning games and played 3 games a day sometimes in the Negro Leagues. Everything in baseball today is so focused on stats and mechanics, but this is a moment to just sit back and enjoy the game as just that. I do understand the MLB players' worry of risk. There is no way that they shouldnt win, so it truly is a lose lose. However, a lot of them were college players, so those college players playing against the biggest stars of today inspires them, which is also important to keep in mind. It is refreshing that baseball is still doing this type of stuff. Baseball is also a less dangerous sport than football, so some interleague matches can't do that much harm. Besides, who wouldn't want to give up a home run to Miguel Cabrera?
Baseball is one of the few sports that the young can play with the old. You can be a slow as molasses slugger or a fast paced bunter. You can have a cannon for an arm or a good mit. An sure there are some who have all of the good parts and none of the bad (most of them in the mlb) but they still have play as part of a team. This is what makes baseball so great and so accessible. Baseball's diversity of play (being able to be successful using different styles + methods) is what allows the pros to play with the college players. It is what lets the Macon's compete with and beat the Land Tech's. And the best part is the lack of physical damage. Although there will be fatigue and a few minor strains or twists the risk of major injury on either side is quite low. It is very unlikely that there will be any career ending injuries and even less likely that that injury will be caused by an opposing player (as opposed to football where that is almost certainly the case). The biggest potential damage is mental and that is all dependent on the players mindset. Sure it can seem unnecessary or even stressful for professional players but for others, win or lose, it is the best event of their entire life. It is one thing to meet your heroes, but to get the chance to face them head to head and emerge victorious or even suffer a crushing defeat is an opportunity only granted in a few sports. Win or loss you can leave with a smile and a story. And that is just a piece of the magic that is sports and baseball.
ReplyDeleteThis tradition of MLB teams playing college teams during spring training is very interesting for it puts each team in extremely different situations. The MLB teams are stuck in a “lose-lose” situation, for the team is put in a dangerous predicament if they lose, and if they win it is no big deal because they are considered to be the better team in the first place. However, the college teams they have a very different experience. They have a once in a lifetime opportunity to play with a major league team and, contrastingly, they have nothing to lose. They can show off their skills and prove to other players and coaches that they are ready. This also gives the college players the opportunity to envision themselves after college possibly playing at the major league level. This story about the Philadelphia Phillies losing streak, even to college level teams, represents the typical David and Goliath story. The underdog, the college team, beats the mighty powerhouse, the Phillies. This scenario proves that reputation does not matter, it comes down to skills and mindset. Samantha.
ReplyDeleteI think these games between college and professional teams is a great baseball tradition. Its provides great opportunities for everybody involved, and sets up an atmosphere that many of the players might not get the chance to experience in their lifetime. For the professional players, I understand how the games may not be their greatest desire to play in, but for the college players it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This tradition values the game of baseball and the importance that it holds regardless of the scoreboard, statistics, etc. For many college players it gives them a chance to feel what its like to make it to the big leagues, and regardless if they did well, they still are able to keep that amazing experience with them for the rest of their life. Something that was really interesting for me was how the pitcher from Florida Southern, kept a jar filled with dirt from the mound after a 11-0 to the Detroit tigers and after giving up a homer to Miguel Cabrera. It is these moments that make these games special, not the outcome of the game, or how high the score ran up, but the moments that will affect the college players for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeleteI think this piece absolutely speaks to the magic of baseball. Especially since it is up to the teams to organize these games, it shows that, despite the so-called high risk + low benefit these games provide to the pro teams, they are totally into it. And despite the pride that might be put at stake, there is that baseball camaraderie that makes it OK for the pro teams to give college teams a once in a lifetime experience...it seems like the pro teams are able to get over that to pass on the magic. This awesome tradition sets baseball apart from so many other sports. In the spirit of a true religion, this tradition brings the baseball community together to honor the game.
ReplyDeleteI think this article definitely touches on the game’s sense of magic and the magnitude it has for certain people in certain aspects. These are things that have been talked about in many of our discussions. For the college players mentioned, the exhibition games are much more than just games, they could be dreams and aspirations of the players. Most of those college pitchers looking to make the pros probably dream of facing batters like Miguel Cabrera; to them the game is like a dream come true. I can’t help but feel like this sense of a greater importance is one that is similar to that felt by the Ugandan children we read about. To them, the game also has a greater importance; it is a solace to distract them from the hardships of their everyday lives. I also feel like in this scenario, the excitement that the “lesser” team feels is kind of like magic, since this sort of scenario usually comes about because an unlikely team exceeded exceptionally. In this way, this sort of scenario is similar to the story of Macon facing Lane-Tech in a sense that they probably felt a similar magic.
ReplyDeleteI think that the tradition of MLB teams playing college teams really encapsulates the true spirit of American baseball. Allowing aspiring professionals to play America’s pastime with the pros truly exemplifies living the American dream, in that it is giving them a tangible experience to look forward to and work to achieve, a so called model of success. Additionally, this story touches on the role of baseball as a religion as it creates this whole community of people that are getting together to play just because they want to and because they share a love of the game. I love how the article talked about how the teams are totally responsible for organizing their own games and are super cordial and welcoming until it comes to the actual game. I think this embodies the original spirit of baseball outside of all of the money and doping and franchise and such, and is a great model of how the game should be played even among pros. -Katarina
ReplyDeleteThe tradition of having college and major league teams face off is something that is definitely unique to baseball, and touches again on the magic that the game holds for many of the players. At the same time, the piece itself shows the less romantic side of the story; the major league players aren't having the time of their lives like the college kids, and they are often in a lose-lose situation. The way the players are expected to perform kind of relates to the dominant image of Lane Tech. Ballard includes the bit about the players crying after their loss, and both pieces mention the idea that the opposition always has its own story and aftermath following a loss. The way the NYT piece ends is also interesting, as it describes the storybook elation of the college players celebrating an awesome victory over a major league opponent, a team that they never thought that they would beat. However, the ending comes right after the talk about the pressure and downsides for the MLB players, making the reader think about both sides of that celebration and joy that would have seemed solely positive in almost any other context.
ReplyDeleteSam R.
I think the biggest theme that this hits on is the idea of the underdog. A college team playing a MLB team is similar to Macon playing Lane Tech. The intimidation level must be unreal for the college team walking into the parks and not only seeing the players that you worship on TV, but also having to play against them. Imagine having to pitch to your favorite player. I think Michael Czenszak makes a good point that for the college players it’s a really special experience for them win or lose. Czensak reflects that giving up a home run to Miguel Cabrera is one of his favorite memories.
ReplyDeleteIn reading this article, I wonder why baseball is the only sport to do something like this. One idea that I thought about was that an individual baseball game is not indicative of a team’s overall performance. This is best exemplified through baseball teams playing series during the regular season; obviously one game is not enough to prove which team is better. As a result losing one game is less embarrassing. Even though the major league players expressed that they weren’t too fond of the tradition because of the possible humiliation, it is still less mortifying than if a pro football team lost to a college team.
The college exhibition games are a fun, exciting way for college players to play against the best baseball players in the country. Although the attitude of most professionals seems to be rather enthusiastic towards these games, it is a great opportunity for upcoming players to preform at a higher level, as well as a time to lighten the mood for professionals. Although these games does hold bragging rights and possible humiliation, they more importantly bring fun back into professional baseball. They are a time for players from different backgrounds to unite over a game that they all share a love for. It allows for college athletes to step onto the same field as their heroes, fulfilling childhood dreams and learning more about their sport. College exhibition games reflect the opportunity baseball provides, along with the passion and fun that are essential to any baseball experience.
ReplyDeleteAngus
It’s interesting that this tradition has continued to be perpetuated for years and years even though it’s a lose-lose situation. It would seem that it’s only continued in order to entertain those watching and sometimes those playing. The most prevalent theme for me is that of the underdog and the idea that if you strive for more you’ll attain it (American Dream). For college players this is an exciting opportunity to possibly do well against a pro team and there’s no risk involved because they’re expected to lose. For major league players there’s barely any praise if they win but a huge risk if they lose. In the long run I think it’s more important for the college players to experience major league play than for major league players to not have to play college players. After all, it’s a huge challenge for college players and they need to know soon if they think they’ll be able to cut it in the major leagues, if not, they should start preparing themselves mentally to never have the opportunity to play at a higher level than college. Yes it’s hard for major league players but it’s part of their job to be role models; many people think of sports players being role models to young children but I think it’s very important that these college players be able to meet and even play people who, only a few years older than them, can be great role models.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this is a great tradition for the college teams to have as well as a great oppurtunity to see what the next level of baseball is. However, Major league players seem to not enjoy it that much at all and if they were to lose those games then what does that mean for team moral? I think that there are both good and bad aspects of this tradition but you must look at both the college side and MLB side to get the best understanding. From the college point of view i think it is a great way to push the players to play their hardest and is an oppurtunity that shouldn't be missed. Although MLB players might not enjoy it that much, i think it is a great way to encourage college players to keep playing and to act as role models for the younger players. If major league baseball players can be a positive influence then hopefully the rest of the leagues whether that is college, high school, or little league, will follow and enjoy the sport.
ReplyDelete-cooper
It seems like these games are appreciated differently by both sides. The college players seem to enjoy it and don't see it as a serious competition, but rather a fun way to try their hand at playing the pros. However the professionals see it as something that they have to win and try their hardest because it is a humiliation if the college players even keep it remotely close. From what we read in the article from the perspective of the pitcher we see that he is a lot more aggressive than the college players and is likely to hold a grudge for some of the smallest things like bunting.
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