Baseball is countercultural. At a conjuncture filled with instant gratification and the perfection of all things, baseball is different. It is a pastoral game, a slow endeavor, and asks fans to enjoy the process of the game: the pitching; the pauses; the conferences; the warm-ups; and the nuances.
In some ways baseball is the perfect game. With the bases 90 feet apart, and the pitching mound 60’6” from the plate for decades, and even as players have become faster and stronger, the measurements and chances of the game remain coherent and consistent. It’s rather remarkable.
But it is also imperfect. The mistakes that fielders make – errors – spill out of players in front of everyone. When a player strikes out, he heads back to the dugout, head held low in shame. Mistakes in basketball or football are mostly covered up by quick action. But in baseball, they stand out. Flaws are right there, with long pauses surrounding them – laid bare for all of us to linger upon. And we learn to live with them. Its part of baseball. Sometimes, the mistakes serve as the elements we enjoy most or find the most meaning or drama from.
Umpires make mistakes too. That’s what makes baseball interesting. Baseball is not about absolute perfection. It is a human and humanistic game, and respectfully allowing umpires to be the human arbiters of the game is at the core of its relevance. Understanding that people who have judgment roles make errors is an important lesson we all learn.
So, when Jim Joyce blew a call at first base to “cheat” rookie pitcher Armando Galarraga out of a perfect game – well, that’s part of the beauty of baseball. The way Mr. Joyce, Mr. Galarraga, and the fans of Detroit responded is one of the best moments in the sport.
Just as the genteel game reminds us of our pastoral and more patient past, Joyce’s call reminds us that we do the best we can, and just like the players, we sometimes get it right, and sometimes get it wrong. Because of this reminder, it may be the best call ever.
I couldn’t agree more! I feel horrible for Galarraga, and Joyce, but I’m extremely pleased that, despite pleas from The Media and sensation addicted fans, Selig chose to not overturn the decision. That would have been disastrous. I’m worried that this incident, on the back of the supposed “bad” calls during last year’s playoffs, will result in some new usage of instant re-play.
Counterculture indeed! Baseball is entering a golden age, built on defense, fundamentals, crafty management, risk taking and, most of all, amazing pitching. Finally, the Long Ball is no longer the greatest highlight. Instead we’re seeing brilliant double plays and immaculately choreographed strikeouts leading the highlight reels.
There is still hope for American culture as long as Baseball exists.