On a more serious note...

Here's an issue I take very seriously and some thoughts I have tried to instill in a few of my more hot-headed teammates. (I won't name any names, but I'm thinking of an individual whose surname rhymes with Shmarshletski.) Please take a look at Tom Verducci's intelligent write-up, MLB Needs to Curb Macho Culture, on the ludicrous game of bean-ball recounted seemingly every evening on Baseball Tonight. Now is a better time than ever to examine the current state of affairs, with the recent flash flood of cranial blunt-force trauma wounds inflicted on the diamond. Take a look at what Verducci has to say, and then, if you have absolutely nothing better to do, consider my analysis of the situation and suggestions for its correction, in the form of a response I just shot off to Mr. Verducci...

Excellent piece (MLB Needs to Curb Macho Culture). I can't think of anything less masculine than hurling a projectile at another man. And hitters only appear more ridiculous when they charge the mound in a fit of machismo, only to fling a batting helmet as a weapon, like Kevin Youkilis recently. I don’t know what initiated the present era of puffed up braggadocio, but with each MLB bullpen today carrying several pitchers capable of hitting the upper-90’s on the gun, a potentially tragic system of reciprocation and revenge has suddenly taken hold as the unavoidable status quo.

What will it take to bring an end to this cycle? It looks like all-star and franchise player David Wright may miss the remainder of the ’09 season. I can only hope he will recover the composure required to step back into the box and compete at his former level.

I used to think hockey’s ritual of condoned pugilism cheapened the game, but now I can see that it effectively provides forum for players to release frustration and settle disputes man-to-man, without access to weapons, and referees positioned to call off the fight when it has run its course.

A 95 MPH fastball is a weapon (see Julio Castillo, the minor leaguer who struck a fan in the head last year with a ball intended for the opposing bench in a dugout-clearing brawl and his since been charged with felony assault). This game of strutting around “protecting players” could very well result in the death or serious maiming of a party with no stake in the quarrel apart from the misfortune of sharing a uniform with a bone-headed vigilante reliever. What we see played out on a near-nightly basis is nothing more than schoolyard posturing with the unfortunate availability of deadly weapons.

It is widely acknowledged that we expect too much from our athletes. But they must be made to understand the magnitude of their actions. There is a time and place for the bean ball. But as every pitching coach worth his salt has taught, it belongs on the hitter’s back, never at his head. Until pitchers have demonstrated the capacity to make the ball go where they want it, they should not be permitted to take another individual’s life in their hands.

Umpires should not be charged with interpreting intent. They have their hands full on the field as it is. Perhaps a disciplinary panel consisting of former players should be established to rule on these incidents. And punishments should equal those in place for steroid use. Both infractions can potentially lead to severe physical harm and set a poor example for young fans of the game. The current culture is breeding youths who believe what they see on television is the big league way to play. The cycle must be broken before a new generation of head hunters ascends and the sport is ruined for good.