Tip Drill
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Videos like this are why I love Youtube–this clip is an especially good use of its subtitle feature, to boot. This particular uploader (via Deadspin) offers a clinic on tipping pitches from second base–something that’s been going on in baseball for however long second base has been part of the field (at least since the 50s, maybe earlier). Yet Joe Mauer’s surreptitious signaling is an example of something we never hear play-by-play guys or color commentators talk about, probably due to some contractual agreement about upholding the game’s “integrity” or whatever. And yes, this stuff is probably best left unsaid–it’s certainly more riveting to watch it unfold as secret code–watch all four-plus minutes of this. It’s pretty cool.
Bonus marathonpacks Sports Coverage: I’m not sure if Matt Tuiasosopo had the psychic ability to tip his first MLB homerun to Seattle color-man Mike Blowers, but the latter’s pre-game prediction sure as hell seems like it. One of the more mind-bendingly accurate bits of augury, of any ilk, I’ve heard/seen lately (ever?).
Filed under: Baseball
Great stuff. We did this in high school — not that I ever reached second base. The runner on second would slightly adjust his hands to tip what was coming to a coach, who would then give a vocal cue by saying the batter’s first or last name. Like, “C’mon, Harvey” might signal fastball, where “C’mon Eric” might be breaking ball. It’s definitely one of the most intriguing aspects of a baseball game.