BJ Upton

My son doesn't mind it. It's part of the job. He knows that if he even looks at the on-deck batter, or worse yet, throws his hand back to the umpire for a ball, that he will get blasted at home by me. It doesn't matter how it got there, just go get it.

Sometimes in showcase it happens but he knows I don't like it. Usually the umpire just hands a ball before he gets up and the umpire motions to the on-deck batter.

 

We're Talking About FOUL BALLS! and a small rant just for the heck of it.

Chasing foul balls for no reason is silly.

But respecting the position by playing it with heart, pride and hustle and chasing foul balls unnecessarily are two very different things.

I always introduced myself to the umpire and told him face to face (the only time I faced him) that I would be blocking every ball (all game long) no matter where or what the count was. If I missed one I apologized but the umpire already knew it wasn't for lack of effort.

I honestly don't remember chasing foul balls or WP/PB's (with nobody on base) unless they were right around the plate. I understand the point that a Catcher shouldn't seem nonchalant about missing the ball and then carelessly ask for another but that's different than giving your best effort and having a ball go by. It's all in the attitude and commitment to play the game the way it is meant to be played.

Those of you who know me (and know my style) know full well that I have ABSOLUTELY NO USE for a horsesh#t effort or a cocky/lazy ballplayer. Just last night I saw a 18U player taking BP (indoors) with his hat on backwards!

Fellas, look the part and give it your all.................or don't be surprised when you haven't earned the respect of the "old school" guys.

Remember (and don't ever doubt) that some of us have forgotten more baseball than you have learned!

 

I know you don't do it often......but, Well Said!!!!

 

You gotta love TBR.
Where else can you go where the thread starts with a 5 tool outfielder takes a bad hop to tobacco, and ends with a catcher chasing foul balls.

 

007....That's what makes us who we are. What other Message Boards have the wealth of knowledge as we do and can multi task so many topics into one thread......damn we're good.

 

Either that, or a huge dose of highly contagious attention deficit disorder.

 

What were we talking about.......

 

And we haven't even starting talking about food!!!!

Any minute now this thread will be about lunch.



I hope it's a good spot!!!!

 

I got annoyed by the slow service of my five tool waitress, walked out and went fishing instead.

 

Braves....speaking of fishing, has Jr found any good fishing holes lately?