2014 MLB Season Thread: Throw another shrimp on the barbie!

[Pringles]

As scary as it is, pitchers have the option of the padded hat to wear. All but 1 (I think possibly 2), chose not to wear it in the league. Some say they don't like the feel of the hat while others say they don't like how it looks. To help cut down on this, baseball needs to start implementing those hats at a young age, little league and so forth so pitchers are accustomed to pitching in them. Current pitchers really should test them out and practice with them on in the offseason and occasionally during a side bullpen to get used to them as well.

[Kang]

When John Olerud played he wore a batting helmet because of his brain aneurysm. Can this be an option for pitchers?

[Melena]

When John Olerud played he wore a batting helmet because of his brain aneurysm. Can this be an option for pitchers?

Probably not. Pitching mechanics are fickle as fuck and having something that heavy on your head is going to take a while to get used to pitching with. The biggest issue though is the cap doesn't doesn't do anything to protect the face area where a lot of these line drives are hitting. There is talk about implementing a face guard like in Hockey but who knows.

[archibaldcrane]

Probably took hitters a bit to figure out their swing mechanics after they had to start wearing helmets too.

[Moss]

and with current technology I doubt it would have to be heavy to provide significant protection

[Melena]

Think they said the current caps the one guy on the Padres is testing is rated up to 83mph. The latest liner was at over 100mph. The cap weighs about 6.5 ounces more than a standard cap, so it's about an extra half pound on the head.

[Bregor]

If Aaron Rodgers can throw bullets in a big ass helmet, I'm sure Kershaw can snap off curveballs too. Change in sports comes at a snail's pace, hockey goalies didn't wear masks for over 40 years.

[Melena]

I know. It's something that the only way it's going to happen is if they force it in the minors and eventually it will be come mandatory in the pro's.

[Aksannyi]

In Erie (again) for a surprise party for my mom, which is tomorrow. Went to the Erie Seawolves game, which is one of the minors that the Tigers pull from. Found out that Verlander and Granderson played for them before they hit the majors, they had these kinda monuments to players that have made the majors. I wasn't familiar with all of the ones they had up there (and I must admit as I sit here typing this that I've had more than a few, thank god my dad was driving and not me), but it was cool. The Seawolves lost, but for $10 a ticket and unlimited beer thanks to my dad, I had a blast anyway.

[NynJa]

I know. It's something that the only way it's going to happen is if they force it in the minors and eventually it will be come mandatory in the pro's.

I get that the chance of

happening is pretty rare, but why risk it?

[Bregor]

Oh my God can you imagine if BHarp did this while McCann was still on the Barves? lol

[Melena]

Oh my God can you imagine if BHarp did this while McCann was still on the Barves? lol

Glorious. Keep Harper away from Cox's grave when he passes away. He'll probably piss on it.

I get that the chance of

happening is pretty rare, but why risk it?

Same can be said about a hockey puck to the face but not everyone wears face shields. Athletes have ego's and don't want to be seen as a wussy man.

[Moss]

Harper said it was unintentional and the last thing on his mind walking to the plate

[Bregor]

Another Baez RBI today, and a Rizzo walk-off win

THEO

[Boyiee]

Harper said it was unintentional and the last thing on his mind walking to the plate

He did it 3 consecutive times, then tonight walked in front of the plate.

[Moss]

He did it 3 consecutive times, then tonight walked in front of the plate.

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2.../Trollface.png

[Kang]

Jays-Tigers 19 inning game was crazy today. Two 19 inning games two days in a row (Red Sox-Angels last night).

[Moss]

wtf... Jason Heyward 3rd in the NL in WAR

if we aren't able to re-sign him I will be crushed

[Melena]

I really hate that rule about blocking home plate, but at least we got to see Robin Ventura channel his inner Lou Pinella over it.

https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/Bu88gExCAAEqV_O.mp4

[NynJa]

Watching the two videos, Posey's foot is on the inside of the baseline, and Flowers foot is on the outside, which is probably what was the selling point of both calls. Only problem being that theres no basis of what is considered blocking or not.