Giving it the Old College Try
Monday, March 7, 2016
Post #8: The good old college try (due Mar 14)
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've discussed thus far?
Giving it the Old College Try
Giving it the Old College Try
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This tradition instills hope and magic in a team or player for whom the ultimate image of success is most likely an MLB team. This tradition can revive a childish and hopelessly inspired attitude toward MLB and a desire to fulfill one’s dream on the field. In this way, this tradition is positive because it gives players a taste of the fame and heroism that professional baseball brings and that kids dream about. However, I think this tradition can also be negative. Major League teams (Goliath) give college teams the chance to put their skills to the test, and there might be hope that college teams (David) will beat them, like with University of Tampa. But I think intense competition, power dynamics, and hierarchy within the game can often invalidate this hope. This game has the ability to completely validate or embarrass a college team, as it is not just any game, but a game against a Major League team. Also, the article talked about these games not meaning anything to the Major Leaguers, which I think could destroy an idealistic image of an MLB player that many people have crafted in their minds, and in that sense, this tradition has the potential to destroy the magic and dream of baseball.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Sofia, I believe this tradition provides magic and excitement surrounding baseball, but not just for players who dream of MLB success. American society glorifies the MLB, therefore regardless of these players' personal dreams, getting the chance to play against any MLB team is magical. Though for the MLB teams, these games against college teams are just a part training and provide a slight annoyance, they can only result in a positive experience for the college teams. If a college team loses to the MLB team, it is still an accomplishment and an honor to play against them. In the extremely rare case of a college victory, it is an incredible feat; just scoring on an MLB team is impressive.
ReplyDeleteThis piece struck me at first by reminding me of a recurring theme we’ve encountered in baseball literature: camaraderie. The spring training games brings together individuals who are at very different points in their lives: college students and pro-players. The two groups are able to come together, physically and emotionally, to enjoy a game they all love. They are united over their passion for baseball. Additionally, as Kiki and Sophia said, I think it is a very exciting, hope-instilling experience for the college players. They are able to look up to the pros and hope that they can be them one day. I am also sure that the pros look at the college boys and reminisce on the days when they were able to play baseball with less pressure, and potentially when they had more fun with it because the stakes weren’t as high. Lastly, this piece reminded me of the “David and Goliath” theme or underdogs. College teams don’t expect to beat the pros, but they can always hope to have a miracle win, like the University of Tampa beating the Phillies. Even though the game doesn’t count for the regular season, I can imagine that a win over a pro-team would be the most rewarding victory of the season for a college program.
ReplyDeleteThe dynamic between these college teams and the major league teams they play is very similar to the dynamic between schools like Lane Tech and Macon. While the Lane Tech players remember the game, it is not as big of a deal to them as it is to the whole town of Macon. For these college teams these may end up being the biggest games of their lives, while for the mjaor leaguers they are nothing more than a glorified scrimage. This being said however, I think the MLB players are letting their egos get in the way of a good game. Yes it may be embarrassing to get lit up by a college lineup, but if you are a good player everyone will forget about it in a matter of days. The players complaining that there is "a lot to lose" in these games need to get some prespective. The only reason anybody ever talks about these games is when people like that Mets pitcher assert that they will bean 20 year olds and at the same time say the colleges are the ones taking it to seriously. Overall I think these games are a fun exhibition for both the fans and players. As long as the big leaguers don't take it so seriously I hope to see these games continue.
ReplyDeleteThis article shows the continued importance of tradition and the American dream in baseball. First off, tradition. Since the beginning of the National League, baseball has had pro vs. college games and continue to do so today. This is something that is prevalent throughout baseball and part of what brings it its glory. Its fans love seeing the same things happen again and again because of the good memories, nostalgia, and history that this brings up. Secondly, the American dream. As we have gotten from many of our classes at MA, the American dream brings up the idea that everyone should get a chance at success in America and if they get a chance, they might be able to make it. This is commonly associated with the game of baseball. In One Shot at Forever, we see this in Macon, an extremely small school, making it to the State championship. In this article, we see the American dream portrayed through college kids getting a chance to compete against teams at the highest level. Despite not winning much, this opportunity is what makes these pro vs. college games so special.
ReplyDeleteI think that the article totally captures the magic for the college players. Tampa is a DII school that was able to beat a major league team on a grand slam! That's pretty magical. This story plays into our theme of David vs. Goliath because the pro teams have dominated this dynamic losing only a few games. This game reminds me of Macon beating Lane Tech in the book we just read. Also the game where collegiate players get to be on the same field as major leaguers is an encouragement for the college players to continue pursuing their dreams of going pro. It is kind of a symbol of how close they are to the big show. Though big leaguers think of it as a lose lose, the tradition does so much rewards the college athletes so much that I hope it stays and gets bigger.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of MLB teams playing against college teams is a cool and interesting concept. I think that an idea like this could really only work with a sport like baseball because there is very minimal physical contact and the game could change quickly with just one run or pitch. This idea could never work with the NFL or the NBA just because of the strict physical and mental differences between the players. Although this is a tremendous opportunity for the college players, there is a huge downside for the pro players. Stated in the article, "They offer little reward and plenty of risk". The pro players don't benefit much if anything at all, but I do think the games should continue because they are just a warmup to the warmup and the memory and experience that the college kids gain is very valuable.
ReplyDeleteI think that the fact that college players have the chance to play against pro players is fun and exciting. The college players get to play against their idols, a memorable and fulfilling experience, while the MLB players get some extra practice. Dillon Gee mentioned in the article talked about how its a "lose-lose situation," because they are expected to dominate the college teams. However, that is a very fair expectation, and is not a reason to stop playing these lighthearted games. Something else that stood out to me was when Billy Wagner said he would hit the next Michigan batter if the previous one had a successful bunt attempt. A bit of an over reaction in my opinion. It seems maybe Gee and Wagner are taking these exhibition games a bit too seriously and need to just relax and realize they are just fun. Although they need to make sure they don't lose, because it would still result in public humiliation.
ReplyDeleteI think that college baseball players have a really incredible opportunity when MLB teams play them. Like the article stated, this opportunity is really amazing for the college players because they are exposed to real, professional baseball players, some of whom are probably strongly revered by the college players. I do understand the risk MLB players take when participating in these games: either get scored on by players who are much less experienced than you, or do well and you live up to the expectation that you will beat an inexperienced college player. Though these games offer little for the MLB players, I think the fact that they still participate in them show their love and passion of the game more than anything else. The college players who play the MLB teams have the experience of a lifetime and are inspired by the professional players to continue playing baseball and to aspire to go to the Major Leagues. By participating in these games, the MLB players are helping the college boys achieve their version of the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteNot knowing much about baseball, I think that a college baseball team having a chance to play against a MLB team is great for both teams. The college players can get a chance to show how they can compete against pros and they can use this experience as a transition into an even more competitive culture. For the pros, it can be both a good and bad experience. For example, it would not be common if a pro team lost to a college team. Similar to what tabby said, I feel like this tradition is allowing the college players achieve their own form of the American Dream. To add on, this piece also talks about a similar point to that of One Shot at Forever. For example, the David vs Goliath theme can be seen in both One Shot at Forever and MLB teams playing college teams.
ReplyDeleteI think that this tradition is appealing to fans for the same reason that we are intrigued by the story told in "One Shot at Forever." For what ever reason people are naturally attracted to stories of the underdog; ones's have similar characteristics to "David vs Goliath." Personally, I believe that this tradition is what makes baseball special. Because of baseball's low-impact nature, mlb teams are able to play way more games than other professional sports teams. No other professional sport could even have this tradition and, to me, that is the magic of baseball as it helps retain the sandlot origins and fun of the game. However, from a professional player's perspective I can understand why he may not enjoy the game. It must put a bunch of stress on the player's, who are just returning to the game from the off-season, as they are expected to win by a landslide.
ReplyDeleteI think that games between college teams and pro teams are a good tradition and something that should continue. Although it may be considered a lose-lose situation for the pro team, the opportunity and memories that these games provide for the college players are invaluable and offer college players experiences that they will likely cherish for the rest of their lives. I think that this kind of event ties directly in with some of the themes that we have been discussing in class, in particular the theme of “David vs. Goliath”. The college teams are the “David”, the major underdogs in this scenario, while the pro teams serve as the “Goliath”, the dominant force that is expected to win. This theme appears all throughout sports, especially in One Shot at Forever, where Macon faces and beats Lane Tech in a game that almost no one expects them to win. I hope that this tradition continues as it provides memories that will no doubt last a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThis story is a perfect example of how a team with the expectation to win like a Lane Tech has much more pressure to perform than the underdog like the Macon Ironmen. I think the article put it best when it said that for the pro players the situation is really a lose lose and thats generally the same for all teams with the expectation of winning. When a team such as that wins there is no big cheer or large celebration, however, if that team loses there are large consequences. I also think it has to be hard from a professional pitcher or player who is having a tough night against a college team, that player mentally will take that much more seriously than a college player who has a tough night against the professional. This relates back to the theme of David and Goliath and how when the college team wins or the college player gets a hit it is a massive deal and everyone goes crazy but if the professional team wins no one really cares. I also think this has to be a pretty cool experience for the college players that do not make it to the pros, I would love this if I was a collegiate athlete.
ReplyDeleteThis idea of a college team playing a professional team relates to the theme of David and Goliath. The college teams are not expected to win. And there is no pressure on the college teams to perform well. However, if these college teams manage to pull out a victory it is a shocking event similar to David’s defeat of Goliath. This also shows how in baseball a team much worse can always defeat a team that is considered to be much better. Baseball is a catalyst for allowing certain teams to overcome limited expectations. On another note, it could be very embarrassing for MLB teams to lose to college teams. Although Spring Training does not mean anything, the idea of being defeated by amateurs could diminish morale and raise questions about the actual skill that an MLB team possesses.
ReplyDeleteI think the tradition of having college teams play major league teams is a unique tradition and provides the college players with a once in a lifetime opportunity. I do get how the major league players feel when they say it's a "lose-lose" situation because of the minimal amount of gain and high risk. Even though the major league players may not like these exhibition games, I think it is important to play them because it provides college teams with a front row seat of how major league players practice and play and also since it's a "tuneup for tuneup games", there is little pressure on the major league players. These games can relate to the theme of the "underdog" team, and the "David vs. Goliath" theme. The college teams are seen as the "underdog" or the "David", while the pro teams are the "Goliath". Similar to One Shot at Forever, the college teams could be the Macon High team, while the pro teams are like Lane Tech. For the college teams, they are excited to play the exhibition games, and look forward to them, similar to Macon High. The pro teams head into the game with a reassured sense that they will easily win the game, but shown by both the Macon High vs. Lane Tech game, and the University of Tampa vs. Phillies game, the underdog always has a chance.
ReplyDeleteI found this article very uplifting in the sheer joy to be held by so many, especially the college players. I never knew that this existed, but the whole idea of it is brilliant. To give young college guys a chance at the big leagues and to even play a game of ball with their own idols, truly priceless. Even though the situation is a lose-lose for the MLB players, I find that they like to play anyway because it invites the right spirit they want to portray for baseball's future. Tying into other themes of the year, I see this as a clear representation of David and Goliath. Just as Macon miraculously overcame Lane Tech, rarely a college team beats the pros and the victory means more to them than the world.
ReplyDeleteI think that the concept of colleges playing pro teams is a huge positive. For all those college ball players who will not make it to the big leagues, it gives them the chance to play against a pro team. I think it is so depressing to think about a ball player who makes it all the way to college ball and comes up just short of their dream of going pro, so the consolation of a special game like this is admirable. Just like Macon vs Lane tech, Macon, the college team, comes into the game with a sort of awe for the occasion. The "loose loose" situation for the MLB players is a "win win" for the college players, and since the pros are just that, pros, I think they can handle one loose loose situation with all of the success they have.
ReplyDeleteThe tradition for major league teams is not only a chance for college players to have great an memorable experiences, but it also plays into America's obsession with the underdog. As we have mentioned multiple times, people love to see an upset, and that is exactly what these games allow for. Unlike two major league baseball teams of different calibers playing each other, college teams are never expected to win. The stakes are low and there is little pressure. If the MLB team wins, its still a great experience for the college players, and if the college team wins, it is something that the country and school can celebrate.
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