12/21/24
July 08, 2012
SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
In theory the umps are watching the ball while often the coaches are watching the manager (signs) and then at the players on base to pass on those signs.
posted by scully at 04:06 PM on July 08, 2012
I agree with scully. Are field umps at any more risk than infielders?
posted by holden at 04:42 PM on July 08, 2012
That makes complete sense. If the third base ump had been doing anything else at that moment, he probably would be sans one head right now.
posted by NoMich at 04:52 PM on July 08, 2012
In the 4-man system, the corner umpires are working behind the fielders, that is, they are further from the batter than a base coach would be. This gives them the extra fraction of a second they might need to move. The 2nd base umpire in the 4-man will often work "inside" (in front of and to one side of 2nd), but since he is more toward the middle of the diamondand thus further from the batter, he too will have more time. In the 2-man system, the field umpire will have to cover a pickoff play at 1st or 3rd as well as the steal or force at 2nd. Thus, he will be closer to the plate than he would be in the 4-man. This can get rather exciting, even at the high school level, when a sharp line drive is hit right at you. The real problem is knowing which way to move, because the ball is usually going to curve one way or the other. So far, I've always guessed right, but there's always the first time.
If MLB were to order umpires to wear batting helmets, you might have a revolt on your hands. Consider that a batter has only to wear his while at bat or on the bases. Try wearing one for 9 innings straight, and you will find out just how uncomfortable they can be. Umpires are grouchy enough as it is. You don't need to put them into a worse humor.
posted by Howard_T at 05:37 PM on July 08, 2012
They should put them in a full cage hockey helmet in this 100+ degree weather.
posted by NoMich at 05:45 PM on July 08, 2012
We had a best beer in a MLB ballpark debate a while back. Here's a list of craft beers in each park. Though, it seems to be missing a few.
posted by tron7 at 07:19 PM on July 08, 2012
Some friends and I used to play a game that we called "The Lonliest Vendor in Wrigley Field."
At the beginning of April:
Ice cream! Cold ice cream heah! How many you need, sir? Two? Two! Oh, none? OK, I'll get ya the next time 'round. Ice cream! Cold ice cream heah!
In the middle of July:
Tripe heah! Red hot tripe! How many you need, sir? Two? Two! Oh, none? OK, I'll get ya the next time 'round. Trip heah! Get yer red hot tripe!
posted by NoMich at 08:13 PM on July 08, 2012
All Star game just around the corner and the Pirates are in first. The bronze likeness of Stargell must be hot to the touch.
posted by beaverboard at 08:42 PM on July 08, 2012
I have not seen Bell's at Comerica. That's something that must be fixed.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:52 PM on July 08, 2012
I had the Sam Adams at Yankee Stadium last week, highly recommended, especially given the fact it was 106F at gametime with the humidity.
posted by dfleming at 09:36 PM on July 08, 2012
I have not seen Bell's at Comerica. That's something that must be fixed.
Yeah, that's kinda strange. When a local brewer has such great distribution as Bell's, they should be represented well in your home state.
What about Shorts? You see any of their beer in Detroit's sporting arenas?
posted by NoMich at 09:52 PM on July 08, 2012
Just to nitpick a bit, but I really don't think a nationally distributed beer, that is, Sam Adams, can be considered truly a craft beer. Don't get me wrong, it is head and shoulders above the usual mass-market slosh, but given how much of it is brewed, it's not craft. Sam Adams Brewery does excellent seasonal brews, and I would recommend one of these rather than their Boston Lager. By the way, Sam Adams was not a brewer, despite what the advertising says. He was a "malter", one who provides the malt for the breweries. I suppose that's close enough.
Craft brew nirvana for my son and I occurred a week ago Saturday (30 June). The New England Brewfest was held in Lincoln, NH, and it featured a number of craft breweries from around New England, New York, and as far away as Illinois. The price of admission got you a sample glass and 10 sample tickets, some pretty good bands, and food if you wanted to buy it. We'll go out of our way to get there again next year.
Had one of Hangar 24's products in Anaheim a couple of years ago. I really can't remember exactly what it was (IPA, lager,or whatever), but I do remember it was pretty good stuff.
posted by Howard_T at 11:51 PM on July 08, 2012
I know a few pints of Dragonmead Final Absolution would make watching Valverde pitch easier to watch this season...
posted by MeatSaber at 12:25 AM on July 09, 2012
Howard_T, Sam Adams does actually fall in the "craft" brew category despite having a large distribution network. On their website they state the case as it is defined:
========================
An American Craft Brewer is defined as being Small, Independent and Traditional.
SMALL - Annual production of beer less than 6 million barrels.
INDEPENDENT - Less than 25% of the Craft Brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a Craft Brewer.
TRADITIONAL - A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewery's brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.
========================
Their most widely know beers like Boston Lager are ok brews, and certainly better then the InBev crap, but if you get a chance, try some of their smaller batch stuff. I recently brewed a clone of the Third Voyage 2x IPA. Yummy stuff.
Looks like you are relatively close to me ... and even closer today as I drive to Topsham to help a friend move some things from a farm she is selling.
On the 21st I will be attending the Vermont Brewers' Festival for the 3rd straight year and am wicked excited. Don't look up this event on the web as Google is reporting the site has malware or something on it :( I just contacted my friend who is a past president of the organisation and asked him to see if he can pass that on to whomever does their website.
Lastly, since Dear Leader, rcade, hasn't gotten around to adding social networks from this century to our profiles, so I wanted to ask if others are using Untappd? I know Ufez Jones is. I am terrapin over there.
Damn, now I am thirsty.
posted by scully at 07:13 AM on July 09, 2012
When Sam Adams felt the need to defend whether it was a craft beer and decided to lay down a three-point bulleted definition with precise percentages, it immediately became not a craft beer.
posted by Etrigan at 09:17 AM on July 09, 2012
Yeah, given how their ads back in the '90s ('80s?) proudly stated "Those guys spill more beer than we brew", I think calling them a craft brewer now is a little misleading.
posted by yerfatma at 09:32 AM on July 09, 2012
Yeah, that's kinda strange. When a local brewer has such great distribution as Bell's, they should be represented well in your home state. What about Shorts? You see any of their beer in Detroit's sporting arenas?
For almost every bar I've come across here, if they serve craft beer they have at least one or two beers from Bell's on tap. Two-hearted ale and Oberon are probably the most common ones.
I have not had Shorts, although according to their beer locator you can buy their beer virtually anywhere in Michigan.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 09:44 AM on July 09, 2012
An American Craft Brewer is defined as being Small, Independent and Traditional.
...and so Sam Adams defines itself as an American Craft Brewer by the simple expedient of redefining "Small", "Independent" and "Traditional". Hell, I can do that.
It's a good large-distribution beer, and if the Michelob crowd want to think of it as a "craft" beer, ok for them. Some of us know better!
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:54 AM on July 09, 2012
In the case of Howard v Adams the SCOB has ruled in a 5-4 decision that the craftiness of Sam Adam's beer has been overturned on all counts. In her majority opinion, Chief Justice Brownbat stated, "and if the Michelob crowd want to think of it as a "craft" beer, ok for them. Some of us know better!" In his minority opinion, Justice Scully stated that regarding craft beer he, "knows it when he tastes it."
posted by tron7 at 10:36 AM on July 09, 2012
In the case of Howard v Adams...
I've know craft beers and you Sir Adams are no craft beer!
posted by Folkways at 11:38 AM on July 09, 2012
Speaking of large corporate foodstuffs, we were at a Ruby Tuesday's recently and the best available beers (by a long chalk) were the Sam offerings. It was strange to hear our waiter (a nice older guy) talk about Sam Adams like it was a new thing: "They're starting to do some really nice things, I think that brewery is going places." I had to check my watch. Except I don't wear one. So I have no idea what year it was.
posted by yerfatma at 12:51 PM on July 09, 2012
We've morphed into Spuds Filter just in time for the All-Star game.
posted by beaverboard at 02:45 PM on July 09, 2012
I am truly gratified that I have prevailed in this important case (or 6-pack). So gratified, if fact, that tonight I shall likely celebrate my victory by indulging in one of New England's finest brews. I have my choice between a Harpoon IPA or Bohemian Pilsner, a Triple Bag by Long Trail, an Old Thumper from Shipyard, or maybe a Brown Ale from Peak Organic. It's really nice to have a son who appreciates good brews and buys sampler packages frequently.
scully, where is the Vermont Brewers' thing being held? If I can make it, I might take a ride over there. Problem is I'm a chaperone for a church youth group (think fox in charge of the hen house) on a week-long mission trip. It's supposed to end on Saturday AM, but I'm not sure I'll get away.
posted by Howard_T at 06:13 PM on July 09, 2012
Howard_T, it is held in Burlington on the waterfront, however most of the sessions are sold out. I have a ticket, but only a designated driver ticket. If you do find a ticket, message me and I will give you my cell phone number in case you want to meet up.
And I still think that there are some very good beers made by Boston Brewing Company. They have won more awards in international beer-tasting competitions in the last five years than any other brewery in the world. They are the most well-known but they still account for less than 1% of the U.S. beer market.
The Brewers' Association considers Boston Beer Co a craft brewery; in fact, the Brewer's Assoc. is where Boston Beer Company got their bulletpoints that folks disparaged above.
Plus, in 2008, during the worldwide shortage of hops they shared 20,000 pounds of its hops, at cost, with craft brewers throughout the United States.
Keep on hatin' if you must, but Jim Koch is one of the good guys, and BBC makes some damn good beers.
posted by scully at 08:59 PM on July 09, 2012
Keep on hatin' if you must, but Jim Koch is one of the good guys, and BBC makes some damn good beers.
It's anything but hate. I absolutely agree that Sam puts out some really good things, especially their seasonals. Their occasional "one-off" experimentals are very good, but it's awfully hard to get hold of them. They put out 12-pack samplers that contain some of their lesser known brews every time they switch their seasonal selection, and I always try to get one or two. My only complaint is that the definition of craft brewer seems to be a bit too broad. I'll never say that Sam puts out anything less than very good brew.
Burlington is a bit too much of a drive on what will be a tight schedule after a week of trying to keep a bunch of high school kids on task. After the NE Brewfest proved to be such a good time, I'll keep an eye out for similar things and pass on any info.
We've morphed into Spuds Filter just in time for the All-Star game.
Maybe we ought to put in a page or category for "food and drink".
posted by Howard_T at 10:03 PM on July 09, 2012
Brown Ale from Peak Organic
Man, Peak's Summer Session was last year's summer beer for me, but this year it's just meh. And that makes me sad. I've tried to console myself with Harpoon Summer, but they don't sell it in 55 gallon drums.
No love for the local lad Smuttynose?
posted by yerfatma at 11:12 PM on July 09, 2012
Now checking inventory for possible drum and tote quantities.
Is your man cave entrance dock high?
posted by beaverboard at 07:11 AM on July 10, 2012
Can you fill a pool from a tanker truck? I'll start digging.
posted by yerfatma at 09:52 AM on July 10, 2012
Whilst watching today's Tigers/Royals blow-out, this hit me: why do the base coaches have to wear helmets but not the umps? I know that the coaches have to wear them so they don't get their melons crushed by a line drive, but MLB doesn't care about the umps' melons? Today's third base ump almost lost his head by a line drive today and that's when this question came up. It's over a hundred degrees yet again today, I'm starting to get a little stir crazy and I'm too lazy to Google this question.