Baseball and the ambivalent nature of rain
As the Major League Baseball Series has kicked off, the enthusiastic anticipation is rapidly increasing. The buoyant fans are looking forward to games replete with excitement with consummate execution by their respective teams. The last thing they are looking
for is a sudden down-pour by Mother Nature.
Games that are supposedly fun-packed have their fair share of undesirable situations such as the relationship of the game of baseball and rain. Two entirely opposite things, which lead to discontent, will be looking into and the advantage and disadvantage
of rain in baseball.
Plain and simple, when it rains there is no baseball. The ball becomes heavy and the batter is unable to hit it and the pitchers are unwilling to throw it. The grounds get soaked and the fans clamor for some sort of protection from the water pouring on their
heads. Usually the game will get delayed for a few hours until it gets to that point where the time allotted has been exceeded and the game is cancelled. This game is then played at a different time agreed upon by both teams.
Rain is one of the single worst enemies of baseball. Crucial matches have been known to be delayed or postponed due rain. The fans hate it, as they spend money to go to the stadiums only to sit in the water and wait it out for a few hours and then told to
go home as the game has been cancelled.
For the teams, the strategy is changed and opening pitchers are swapped and so on. The rain can completely destroy a perfectly game of baseball. During the regular season, it may not be that big of a deal, however when you get into the post-season it can
change everything. Playoff games and divisional series can be completely turned upside down when it rains and the game is called off after playing just a few innings. To continue after being hyped up and excited on day only to have to repeat it again the next
day is usually too much to handle for most fans.
Some weaker teams have been saved by the rain. However, it is still not a preferred experience to have to play a series that gets washed out from the rain. Most teams know that the rain can sometimes save them or destroy them. It all depends on the situation
at that moment before the drops of water start to fall down on the field.
The unpredictable nature of rain is what disappoints the most. Baseball is a game of skill and talent combined into a strategy for that given day. The strengths and weaknesses are measured and each player knows what they are required to do. It is all organised
and controlled. However, the rain is chaotic and it can start and stop without warning. The rain can totally throw out all the preparations the teams may have done prior to the match.
So as long as baseball is played in open stadiums, you are always inviting the possibility of rain ruining the game. The love hate relationship between baseball rain will continue to exist as it has become one of those things that you just have to accept
and deal with like any other situation that may ruin the fun.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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