Baseball season is fast approaching!

[JustaBitOutside]

Around thirty days til opening day, a much more welcome sign that spring has sprung than any groundhog could ever provide. My team is freaking terrible, but it doesn't matter, you gotta believe!

March Madness? Anyone into sports that have an American slant? (Hockey doesn't count :) )

[JustaBitOutside]

Oh yeah and My Syracuse Orangemen are RANKED #1 WHOOOOOO!

[Jason]

I don't mind a bit of Baseball every now and then. I'm unlikely to sit and watch an entire game start to finish, but it's great for having on while I'm working on the site or doing something else - of all the 'American' sports (Hockey notwithstanding), Baseball is the one I have the most time for. I'm a bit of a Phillies fan, but that's more due to the fact they've always played in entertaining games when I've seen them rather than any 'real' reason.

[Konrad]

I went to a Baseball game to experience the all-american past time, but I believe I fell asleep somewhere between the time they stood there doing nothing, and the time they stood there doing nothing.

[MyNameDidntFit]

American sports... eh. Baseball is... meh; it's similar to cricket, but without the interestingness. NFL has way, way, way too much downtime (but is otherwise entertaining) and I don't even know what other sports you lot play :p

[JustaBitOutside]

I get tired of arguing the merits of baseball. It's a psychological, unique game that may be boring at times, but it's the tension you enjoy. It's not well televised. The men aren't doing "nothing" they are moving around the field, setting up plays, when shit is going right then it's a thing of beauty. I can't fathom how cricket is more interesting, but hey it's not my culture. All I know is is my sports don't have a tea time :)

The NFL... most successful show in town, billions of dollars all around. Eh, it's pretty good. I think that the game is too conservative for its own good sometimes. We joke and call it the "No Fun League". Sometimes people play not to lose rather than to win. I'm still way into it, Giants fan.

I'm into the NBA a lot too. I know they stripped defense out of the game which is a damn shame, but now they are talking about banning fights in hockey games.

Which leads me to my Henny Youngman joke of the day. "Went to a riot the other day and a hockey game broke out! "


Born on the vaudelville stage. Let's go watch the darts. :lol:

[Jason]

I can't fathom how cricket is more interesting, but hey it's not my culture.

I think your arguments for Baseball are just as strong, if not stronger for Cricket. "It's a psychological, unique game that may be boring at times, but it's the tension you enjoy." - as an England follower, I've seen some absolutely painful games of cricket, but I've also seen moments in games that were more tense than any overtime period in Hockey, any last-minute plays in the NFL, or any dying-seconds goalmouth sieges in Football (soccer) - it's not so much the climax as how things got there - over 5 days the teams have been locked head-to-head, and there have been situations in recent memory where the result has come down to the last two balls - the England/Australia Edgbaston test in 2005 was one of the best sporting contests I've ever witnessed - a total of 1176 runs were scored between the two sides, and it was won by just 2 runs with 2 balls to spare. If Australia had managed to hold on just two more balls, the match would have been drawn - if they'd have scored the two runs they needed, they'd have won the game.
I remember watching that final over through my fingers - I was absolutely terrified - every single ball could have swung the result either in Australia's favour (they got the 2 runs they needed) or England's (they got the one wicket they needed). When 5 days of tension and pressure build to a finish that close, it's something pretty special.

[JustaBitOutside]

seems pretty good, maybe I do like cricket :)

I'm excited because our local college basketball team has been ranked number one in the country for the first time in twenty years. the championship tourney is coming up in the next few weeks and we will be a one seed probably.

The funny thing is that we have a dome here in syracuse and have been bidding to host tournament games for a long time. They finally agreed, but because of conflict of interest our number one seed team won't play here ! :)

Oh well, I love sports. I was giving the new MLB2k10 demo a try. I promised myself I wouldn't play any more of these because the past four have been god awful. This years seems almost playable. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Jason]

Well, if rumours are to be believed, the US will shortly be having quite a lot of Cricket marketed in their direction. The newest (and shortest) form of the game, 20/20 is almost made for a US audience - the entire game only lasts about 3-4 hours, and features plenty of big hitting - no hours upon hours of batsmen just defending the ball away - each side faces a total of 120 balls, and average scores are usually about 140-160 runs, so it's great hit-and-giggle stuff - it's really taking off in a big way, and with the potential for plenty of ad breaks inbetween overs and the like, I think the US broadcasters will like it, too - it's just a case of breaking that stereotype of Cricket being a dull game, because 20/20 is anything but dull.

[Konrad]

If that's true I'm pumped!

[Steph]

I'm not into it I just went out with someone who'd previously lived in America (he had a right gay-assed Scottish/American accent) that was into lacross.
I think that's how it's spelt yeah?

Seems like a really vicious, strange game. Grown men beating each other with sticks with a basket sort of thing attached to the end.
Fun.

He used to come over after a game covered in lumps and bruises and cuts but it made him happy.

I don't get it really.

[MyNameDidntFit]

as an England follower, I've seen some absolutely painful games of cricket
Because, for the inventors of the game, you're effing shite :p

/sledging.

Well, if rumours are to be believed, the US will shortly be having quite a lot of Cricket marketed in their direction. The newest (and shortest) form of the game, 20/20 is almost made for a US audience - the entire game only lasts about 3-4 hours, and features plenty of big hitting - no hours upon hours of batsmen just defending the ball away - each side faces a total of 120 balls, and average scores are usually about 140-160 runs, so it's great hit-and-giggle stuff - it's really taking off in a big way, and with the potential for plenty of ad breaks inbetween overs and the like, I think the US broadcasters will like it, too - it's just a case of breaking that stereotype of Cricket being a dull game, because 20/20 is anything but dull.
Interesting. With the IPL kicking off again I can definitely see US audiences starting to become interested.

20/20 is good for a short bit of fun but, IMO, nothing will ever beat a good Ashes series :)

[Jason]

Because, for the inventors of the game, you're effing shite :p

/sledging.


Pffft, we're not far behind you these days now Warnie, McGrath, Langer, Gillie and Hayden have all gone to cash in their pensions... When Punter goes, you lot are screwed. :p

[JustaBitOutside]

Yeah Lacrosse is really big here in central new york, it's based on a native american game. I've not played it because I like not being broken in half :) We have a pretty decent college team here for that too. They have some professional Lacrosse, but it's one of those games that doesn't really translate to TV all that well.

[MyNameDidntFit]

Pffft, we're not far behind you these days now Warnie, McGrath, Langer, Gillie and Hayden have all gone to cash in their pensions... When Punter goes, you lot are screwed. :p
Bah. Pointing has done nothing that the average middle order batsman couldn't do lately. He has a good innings every now and then, but for the most part he's been rather average... except at fielding. That man's hands are amazing.

Cameron White, however, is just getting better: he's looking like he'll develop into an amazing batsman.

Though, I wont disagree that our team isn't as good as it was. But, hey, when you have the likes of what we did you can't really go up from there ;)

[Jason]

Thing is with Ponting is that this is one of his 'low' points. This is him playing badly, and he's still making 30s and 40s. When he's back on form, he's definitely in the top two Test batsmen in the world.

White looks like he'll be a fantastic ODI and 20/20 player, and once he sorts his bowling out a little, he looks like a real lynchpin of the side. However, I'm not convinced he's got the temprament for a Test - I can't see him 'doing a Collingwood' and batting for 5 hours with the tailenders for a total of about eight runs - his natural instincts wouldn't allow it.
I agree that you'll probably never top that team you had around about 2002-2005 - undoubtedly one of the best sides to ever play Test Cricket, but I think you've suffered a little because of it - now Lee is knackered as well, your fast bowlers aren't exactly terrifying - Mitch and Tait are both pretty tasty on their day, but tend to get spanked around a lot, too - Siddle was, to be quite honest, our best player during the Ashes, and ...I don't even know who your fifth seamer is at the moment... Doug Bollinger is it?

As for batsmen, Katich and Watson look like a good opening partnership, and Clarke is undoubtedly going to be the mainstay of your lineup once Ponting goes, but beyond that, there's not all that much - Haddin's not up to much, North looks good but is massively out of form...

Of course, this is all well and good me slagging your team down - it's still going to give us a right humping in a few months when we go back over to your place. :-/

[MyNameDidntFit]

Lee's dropping out of test cricket very shortly if I've been hearing correctly.

I don't think we have a bad, or even average, side at the moment. I think a large part of it is that, compared to the team of yesteryear, they're nothing. I think in a few years we'll have a much better team, once the younger guys have gotten settled in and sorted out exactly what it is they do and how they do it.

As for humping you guys, we'll see. I can't say I know what you lots' team is looking like, but I don't think we'll steamroll you unless you're rather out of shape.

I mean, New Zealand managed to win a one-dayer against us the other day :p

[Jason]

Hah, and they're really shite! :p

We're actually not looking too bad at the moment - we're just about to play a couple of tests against Bangladesh, which is going to tell us absolutely nothing, but at least let us try a few fringe players out.

Cook and Strauss at the top of the order are both looking in good touch, Pietersen on the other hand doesn't even look like he knows which end of the bat to hold at the moment. He's even a bunny for the Bangladesh spinners right now... :-/
Bowling-wise, apart from Flintoff, it's mostly the same - Swann, Broad, Anderson and Onions with one other (probably either Bresnan or Sidebottom, neither of whom are likely to worry you) - bowlers who can either rip the heart out of a side in three overs or just get flogged around the park all day and not look even remotely like taking a wicket. I still maintain that when he's on form and in the right conditions, Anderson is one of the most unplayable seamers around - he can get that ball going sideways sometimes. Unfortunately, those times aren't as often as I'd like. :-/

I think this time the sides are fairly evenly matched, and it might just come down to whichever side is in better form.

[MyNameDidntFit]

Yeah, you do, however, have the advantage of veteran openers. If Cook and Strauss have a good day, we're going to be in a right pickle because we don't have any consistent big scorers at the moment.

We've got the home field advantage, though... should be a good series :)

[Jason]

Yeah, I have a feeling that Cook is going to be a huge player for us in the future. He's only 25 or something, which is ridiculous when you think he's played 52 tests already, averages 42 and has 10 test centuries - mind you, he only averages 26 against your lot, so it'll be a big series for him.

It's going to be an awesome series, particularly as you wiped the floor with us so comprehensively last time we were over there.

[Siciliano]

Anyone out there ready for a 28th World Championship by the NY Yankees?

No?

Who will compete?

I am liking Boston, Yankees, Tigers and Seattle out of the American League....what are you guys thinking?

[JustaBitOutside]

I think Obviously the AL East will again be the dominant division this season and the team to beat will come out of there, probably the Yankees again.

I don't see anybody beating the phillies in the NL East as much as I'd like the Mets to.

Cardinals again in the central, a surprise San Fransisco in the West, probably the Angels again in the west. I guess what I'm sayin is it seems like it will be business as usual this season again. :) Looking forward to it mightily.

What do you think the worst trade of the off season was? I think that the most lateral move was the cliff Lee to Seattle three way trade for Roy Halladay. You trade one Cy young pitcher who has had great success in the post season for another cy young winner who has never pitched in the post season? Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, must have been a personal thing. YOu could have ironed out a contract if that was the reason.
I can't believe that Vasquez is back in a Yankee uniform after he was run out of town on a rail a few years back. And Nick JOhnson? Holy flashback Batman! :)

[Siciliano]

I have to completely agree with the trade. I do think the Phillies actually got the wrong end of that deal and got caught up in the Halladay sweepstakes. Rediculous to fathom why you would trade Cliff Lee who is a proven playoff pitcher, Cy Young, and younger/cheaper not to mention giving up some of their top prospects like Drabek for what? Another good pitcher who is older. Sure Halladay will do great, especially against the NL East but I think they made a bad move.

As far as the Yanks go, I sure hope Vasquez is the Javier of last year but...I question his ability to transition from the NL to the AL East. I can only hope he does what the Yanks are hoping. As far as Nick Johnson, I think its a great move. I am glad they didnt pick up Damon and Matsui again, even if he was the WS MVP....he was useless. I think Johnson will do well in a DH position. The Yankees will definitely compete and be the team to beat in the AL again. That Teixiera move was what sets them apart from any other team. I agree with you though, it will most likely be business as usual but I would watch for the Mariners to make a great run especially with Ichiro and Figgins in that order, and that pitching staff...or at least top 2 (King Felix and Cliff Lee)....yikes!

[seantpage]

And for our UK viewers, not long till football starts again...

[Jason]

Yeah... I think I'll get a thread up about that one, because I know Lance is a Spurs fan.