calling chalkeater:

[Bennojd]

Chalkeater,
You called me an idiot because of my negative comments about Major league baseball (at the bottom of my posts).

If you are interested, I have listed some of the reasons why I wrote what I did. I really do believe that today's version of Major league baseball is indeed a joke. But that is only my opinion and I promise you and everyone else that I will never call someone a name just for giving their opinion.

I'm a former fan of MLB and you can find out some of the MANY reasons why I don't care for it any longer by clicking on the following link: http://bettorschat.com/forums/showth...threadid=30073

Sincerely,
Bennojd

[frankb03]

Bennojd

As I stated in the other thread I agree 110%. I think baseball is a JOKE! Aside from the playoffs and WS I don't watch any baseball.

The games take too long. Aside from managers making too many pitching changes the #1 factor is batters. They step out of the box after every pitch. The worst? Nomar Garciaparra is that guy kidding me? Get in the fucking batters box!

Players salaries are out of control. I have no problem with the salaries of the superstars. I do with mediocre players earning in excess of $1,000,000.

The records being broken today have no value. There's very few ball players I'd put on the same field with the ball players from the 20s-50s. Bonds? He's not even top-10 of the greatest outfielders.

I can go on and on

[Bennojd]

frankb03:

You make some great points and I agree with you 110% also!

I will concede that the postseason and world series are worth watching because there is certainly something special about playoff baseball. Like you, the playoffs and world series will probably be the most baseball that I watch all year. However, I've even skipped watching some postseasons entirely!

You are on the money about batters stepping out of the box after every pitch. Why isn't there a rule about that? Paul Konerko (Chicago White Sox) is pretty bad at that too!
Get in the fucking batters box!

Finally, I don't think the records that are broken today mean anything either because you can't compare apples to oranges!

Take care,
Bennojd

[jt4545]

OAKLAND +130 GOOD PLAY TONIGHT

[Bennojd]

bump.

[chalkeater]

Bennojd, I agree w/ most of your points but i still think baseball is the best pro sport out there. (not sure about NHL, don't follow it enough) Baseball has major problemsl I hate bud selig and i can't believe the disgrace the Yankee uniform w/ a Ricoh ad in fucking Japan. they should never play another opening day out of the country. it's our f'n game and we deserve the opening day excitment. not the Japs.
I also feel interleague is junk for everyone but chicago and new york...if they want to make things fair they have to make the al west 5 teams and the nl central 5 teams and have an interleague series every night. Why should texas only have to beat 3 teams to win the divison and cincy have to beat 5? it bull shit.

But the game is still pure. Ticket prices are low, compared to other sports, sure players should take less money so tickets can come down in price...but would you? and the length of games has never bothered me. If i want i can leave after 3 hours or turn the channel. What bothers me is I can't judge an over/under in football b/c they changed the rules to leave the clock run when a guy goes out of bounds so they can have more commercials. This results in fewer plays...how does that affect the record book for the NFL? 100 games today probably on equals 80 games from 10 years ago. (it takes 100 games to get the same # of offensive plays, is my point there, just made up #s.)

I can see being frustrated w/ MLB but to say its a joke is a joke! the only sports that come close are college hoops and football. The NFL and NBA are WHORES.
good luck tonight. put a little something on montreal.

[Bennojd]

Chalkeater:

I understand where you're coming from and you make some good points!
I possibly made a mistake by singling out MLB versus other pro sports as they have problems as well.
I agree w/ you on the Japan issue. And I also can understand your frustration with the NBA and NFL.
Good luck w/ Montreal tonight.........I missed the play.

Have a good one,
Bennojd

p.s.> at least you have an avatar of the White Sox, my favorite MLB team!

[frankb03]

Originally posted by chalkeater
But the game is still pure. Ticket prices are low, compared to other sports

I'm stunned by this statement! I recently learned the lowly Devil Rays charge $99 for Box Seats. I'm outraged! When you play 81 games in a 60,000 seat stadium charging $99 is a disgrace. Football tickets might be more but they play 8 home games. NHL and NBA might cost more they play 41 games in arena that seat 18,000.

If we are talking from a gambling point of view I agree with some of your accessment on the NFL. However, from a fan perspective there is no better sport than football. The talent level in the NFL is much higher than baseball. Baseball today has far too many medioce ball players. Managers rely to heavily on the bullpen. Very few teams have capable relievers.

I used to be a huge hockey fan. I'm not sure which has sport has fallen more hockey or baseball. I'm not a huge fan of NBA basketball. once again from a fan standpoint it's a better sport than baseball and hockey.

[chalkeater]

tampa shouldn't be charging 99 for a seat in the dugout. They must think Lou is worth it. I'm sure you could still get a seat there for 5 bucks if you wanted to take a family to the game and didn't have much money.
NBA good seats are 250 plus...i'm told. *****'t paid for a ticket in two years and won't go unless someones got freebees.

[S49erman]

the thing that bothers me about baseball is steroids. but hey, relax ben the chisox are off to a good start! :D so are the dodgers.