tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post5841247547588886257..comments2023-06-17T08:53:42.643-04:00Comments on ShysterBall: Widening the NetCraig Calcaterrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00190345915954808542noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-45167472347617202592008-11-25T18:09:00.000-05:002008-11-25T18:09:00.000-05:00Alex: Believe me, fast bowlers have control - they...Alex: Believe me, fast bowlers have control - they are aiming at a corridor that's probably about six inches wide at best, and also have to get the ball to bounce at exactly the right place. They have more variety in terms of where to aim but if they get it wrong the outcome is pretty similar.<BR/><BR/>The pace of cricket balls is also reduced by the fact that they bounce, so saying they get a run up doesn't give the full picture.Loztraliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17633046859547233889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-24613430305714673872008-11-25T14:47:00.000-05:002008-11-25T14:47:00.000-05:00The ESPN article actually says that they are not c...The ESPN article actually says that they are not cricket players but javelin throwers, and that in the initial workout for scouts, one hit 90 MPH and the other topped out at 84. Honestly, I almost wonder if they have an advantage in that they're going to be working with top-notch pitching coaches (well, ignoring that it's the Pirates organization) from day one - there are no bad habits to learn from your Little League or HS coach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-1367690906177595362008-11-25T13:43:00.000-05:002008-11-25T13:43:00.000-05:00I'm guessing it won't be Indians gear.. . . oh, wa...I'm guessing it won't be Indians gear.<BR/><BR/>. . . oh, waitCraig Calcaterrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00190345915954808542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-19612534070259720172008-11-25T13:34:00.000-05:002008-11-25T13:34:00.000-05:00Should we expect to see Pirate gear walking the st...Should we expect to see Pirate gear walking the streets of Delhi or Calcutta?Mark Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08422034768135948388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-24902427294020678032008-11-25T13:05:00.000-05:002008-11-25T13:05:00.000-05:00It seems like there is pretty much no chance that ...It seems like there is pretty much no chance that these guys will make it as pitchers. But with a billion people in India (including many, many cricket players)someday one of them will. I see this as a shrewd move by the Pirates (and maybe even moreso by the players' agent, Jeff Borris) to get some experience with what kind of transition is necessary to go from cricket to baseball, what the cultural hurdels are, etc. I think this is one of the bigger stories of the offseason even though the players aren't significant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-21243994624790239282008-11-25T13:03:00.000-05:002008-11-25T13:03:00.000-05:00I'm skeptical of cricket bowlers as pitchers. I s...I'm skeptical of cricket bowlers as pitchers. I saw a video once of a bowler who could hit 100mph, but that was with a huge running start and he didn't need or have any control at all (at least to my uneducated eyes). I hope we get to hear how these guys are doing.Alex Brissettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00086579343090860001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-13664897968171886242008-11-25T12:24:00.000-05:002008-11-25T12:24:00.000-05:00The Royals, not wanting to be outdone, quickly wen...The Royals, not wanting to be outdone, quickly went out and signed a couple of South African lacrosse players.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16264246154526243474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-47635625869503482662008-11-25T12:17:00.000-05:002008-11-25T12:17:00.000-05:00Trying to imagine John McEnroe getting called out ...Trying to imagine John McEnroe getting called out in strikes. That would be worth price of admission.<BR/><BR/>Yannick Noah would be fun to watch and I suspect his athleticism would translate well to several positions.<BR/><BR/>I could imagine Bjorn Borg as a Wade Boggs or Tony Gwynn type hitter.Mark Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08422034768135948388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-67105061747385063522008-11-25T12:09:00.000-05:002008-11-25T12:09:00.000-05:00I've always thought that tennis players would make...I've always thought that tennis players would make good baseball players. Uncorking a 140mph serve seems like it would translate into about a 90+ fastball, and returning said serve looks about as difficult as hitting a baseball. Plus the best of these guys have tremendous speed and quickness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-43149567002313601282008-11-25T11:07:00.000-05:002008-11-25T11:07:00.000-05:00Agree with the sentiment re: safeties and could ac...Agree with the sentiment re: safeties and could actually see how a hockey goalie could translate to being good at first as their ability to catch pucks would probably make digging out throws easier.<BR/><BR/>The abilities necessary (e.g. good reaction time, ability to move laterally) to be a good soccer goalie may make for good third baseman and given that many knock balls away as opposed to catching them would be as good as A-Rod already.Mark Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08422034768135948388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-59196742904889212412008-11-25T10:31:00.000-05:002008-11-25T10:31:00.000-05:00Further investigation reveals that these players d...Further investigation reveals that these players displayed power similar to Ryan Howard's and line drive skills similar to Chipper Jones's, but the Pirates insist on making them pitchers.<BR/><BR/>Of course, these two finished third and fourth in the golden arm competitions, but the top two finishers wanted above what the Pirates had slotted for Indian Pitchers who Have Never Played Baseball.Matt Glennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618712888764913409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-11845338837599983312008-11-25T10:26:00.000-05:002008-11-25T10:26:00.000-05:00I don't know if I dream about those kids in baseba...I don't know if I dream about those kids in baseball uniforms, but I sure would like to see more Matt Kemps (I'm convinced he would be a great football player). The only problem is they could also be Joey Gathright.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-62335358124950990812008-11-25T09:53:00.000-05:002008-11-25T09:53:00.000-05:00I have long suspected that just about every safety...I have long suspected that just about every safety -- right down to the third string -- in major college football could be a great outfielder. When people talk about attracting more young kids to baseball from the other sports, these are the guys I always dream about in baseball uniforms.Craig Calcaterrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00190345915954808542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-38209936460625313622008-11-25T09:48:00.000-05:002008-11-25T09:48:00.000-05:00Just off the top of my head it seems that a saftey...Just off the top of my head it seems that a saftey in football has some of the same skill set as a center fielder (reading where the ball is going and reacting, covering ground, etc). It also seems a hockey goalie has sort of the same responsibility as a catcher. The only problem with the comparison is they don't take into account arm strength or accuracy, which is needed for a catcher.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9131289420618991795.post-53592490111902723292008-11-25T09:12:00.000-05:002008-11-25T09:12:00.000-05:00This makes me wonder what other sports may have so...This makes me wonder what other sports may have some potential cross-over with baseball. Could a hockey player with a great slap shot become a decent hitter? How about a golfer that can really shape his shots as the mechanics of the golf swing and baseball swing have many overlaps? Are there any sports that have activities that would indicate if someone could be a good infielder or outfielder?Mark Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08422034768135948388noreply@blogger.com