Help Introduce Me To Baseball

Herrick

Hi I'm new to the forum and baseball in general

I've always liked and wanted to get more into the sport. Except its not that big here and there use not be any easy way to follow it. But with the net these days and livestreams, etc its easier.

I'm a total newbie when it comes to the game. Are there any guides or sites you all would recommend me to look at to get a feel of the game and its various division make up, positions, terminology, etc?

What teams would you suggest I have a look at following? I will more than likely pick my own in time, but a few recommendations would be appreciated!

jack presley

Herrick wrote: »

Hi I'm new to the forum and baseball in general

I've always liked and wanted to get more into the sport. Except its not that big here and there use not be any easy way to follow it. But with the net these days and livestreams, etc its easier.

I'm a total newbie when it comes to the game. Are there any guides or sites you all would recommend me to look at to get a feel of the game and its various division make up, positions, terminology, etc?

What teams would you suggest I have a look at following? I will more than likely pick my own in time, but a few recommendations would be appreciated!

Where to start? First of all, welcome aboard. Baseball is a great game and with games every day, it's easy to get addicted.

On picking a team, I wouldn't take advice from anyone as most people will probably try and encourage you to pick their team and they probably have specific reasons like visiting a city or whatever which might not apply to you. I'd just sit back and watch a few games and eventually you'll fall for a team. There are teams with great tradition etc. but I wouldn't let that sway your decisions, as I said just watch some games.

I'm going to sound like a scratched record here but the best way to pick up the game is to watch games as well..!!! That's the best way I found to find out more. It might seem confusing at first but after a while it'll all make sense. And feel free to ask as many questions as you want on here. there's a great bunch of regular posters here who will be able to answer most of the questions you'll have.

Despite it's reputation on the net, Wikipedia actually has a decent, comprehensive section on baseball so that'd be my first point of call if I was you. If you're old fashioned and like books, a book I've recommended on here on numerous occasions which can be got on Amazon for a few quid is one called Watching Baseball Smarter by Zach Hample. It's a great book for picking up things as you're watching the game.

shikaakwa312

You will not be able to pick a team to support until you understand the game. So to start I would familiarize yourself with mlb.com and then from there the homepage of each team. I was a standout in my teenage years but I got bored with the game and lost the fun playing it and focused on a different sport, but it is a fun game for analytic, observant, patient people. If I were you I would follow a National League team though because that is more original and probably easier to follow. The NL pitchers bat, but the American League has designated hitters for the pitchers( doesnt have to be but because most pitchers are subpar hitters so the managers DH(designate hit) for the pitcher. The difference creates an immensely different brand of baseball though because the AL is more offense and runs, and the NL is more defense-oriented. I'm sure the MLB and teams have youtube pages to watch. And if you start to play then watch tutorial on how to throw or otherwise you will hurt your elbow, shoulder, etc. There are many injuries in baseball b/c it is an unnatural movement especially with a ball at high velocity- that is why I had to stop because of injuries. Also, if you ever come to the US than try to visit Fenway Park, or Wrigley Field. If you want teams to look at though I would recommend the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, because they are in opposite leagues and one is good and one is bad so you will see what is good and what is bad plus then you will be exposed to all the MLB teams from both leagues and gain a better understanding. Hope I helped.

jack presley

shikaakwa312 wrote: »

You will not be able to pick a team to support until you understand the game.

I disagree. Even if you don't know exactly what's going on, you can still get excited by a team or a particular player. Say for example someone who knew nothing about baseball tuned into a Dodgers game. With all the excitement around Puig and the level of interest that happens everytime he comes to the plate, you could easily buy into it and be rooting for them even if you don't know the difference between a sac fly and a ground rule double.

As for the team issue, I think to much emphasis is put on the Red Sox and Cubs history and their stadiums (as old and as beautiful as they are). A lot of other teams have good histories too but are always overlooked. Anyway, just because a team is over 100 years old doesn't make it automatically a better team to follow than a team that's in the league for less. Watch games, a team will pick you.......

shikaakwa312

He will just end up switching teams multiple times if he just randomly chooses a team based on a flashy prospect. To the OP, this is just my opinion but I was in your position about 4 years ago except the opposite as I was quitting baseball for a European sport but I just think it would be smart to familiarize yourself with the sport before picking a team. I no longer follow the same teams I did as frequently when I first started following my sport. I agree with jack- let the team come to you -but if you are going on a forum to be introduced to the game i find it hard to believe you are going to knowingly pick a team that you will stick with. I'd also rather choose a club based on history than on some prospect whose BA (batting average) will undoubtedly decrease as pitchers figure him out. I say the chicago cubs and boston red sox because they have alot of irish american fans, me being a cubs fan, and i could argue that the cubs have a larger upside than the dodgers anyway- rizzo, castro, and they just got a top prospect with the 2nd pick in the draft, and freeing up alot of cap room. In the end, we both agree that a team will come to you once you start to follow the sport i just think you should be more patient about it because you are asking to be introduced to the game. In the end it does not matter but I would recommend following a NL and AL team because they are a bit different- and why not boston or chicago? Also, I would find it hard to root for like a rugby team b/c I have no idea what that sport is so I think you need to know whats going on to genuinely be elated or disappointed with your teams performance- which is what makes it fun. Also, do they show baseball on TV in ireland or do y'all watch online? Because if its on TV you dont really get to choose who youre watching but I am assuming its online.

mikemac1

You don't pick the team, the team picks you

Just take your time and over a few weeks or even a few months you'll get drawn to a team.

Could be great fans, young talent, offensive prowess, a J1 summer in the city, whatever.

There are streams for most games on the usual sites. Quality not great at all but watchable.
mlb.com will often show a free game too with superb streaming quality. Not sure if they do it every day but it's regular.

When you get more into it then subscribing on the MLB site is value for money. 130 dollars for the season and you also get access to minor league games though I've never checked it out.
If you have a smartphone you can watch games on your phone also.

130 dollars is a lot cheaper then what nfl.com charge for their service!!

Fantasy baseball is also a good way to learn. When I first did it last year A-Rod and Jeter were the only players I'd heard of so I drafted both of them!

shikaakwa312

It seems as though the baseball community on here is rather informed and intimate- more than I wouldve thought- I just joined this site but I wanted to see what the baseball section had to offer because I was surprised to see it. You guys should look into getting the MLB Network but I dont know if it is offered over there. Those werent bad draft picks either haha. Yes fantasy baseball is a great way to learn. And go play it for yourself as well. I am planning on coming to Ireland for a Masters programme and I am thinking of playing with one of the sides maybe I will see some of you. Good luck Herrick and yeah these guys wont steer you wrong. Peace

jack presley

The Puig example I gave was that, just an example. Of course you wouldn't pick a team based on a player with 21 games under his belt. The point I was making was that if you watch games, some player or team will catch your eye and you'll find yourself rooting for them. And just because you don't understand fully what's going on, doesn't mean you can't get excited about watching such a player or such a team.

I already had my team when I started watching baseball (see other thread on why people picked their teams) but it was around the time when Big Papi and Manny were tearing it up for Boston. I loved watching those two hit so had I not already had a team, I would have probably jumped on board the Red Sox bandwagon. And back in those days (around 2005), I knew very little about the game. It wouldn't have lessened my enjoyment of watching them come to bat though.

jack presley

shikaakwa312 wrote: »

It seems as though the baseball community on here is rather informed and intimate- more than I wouldve thought- I just joined this site but I wanted to see what the baseball section had to offer because I was surprised to see it. You guys should look into getting the MLB Network but I dont know if it is offered over there. Those werent bad draft picks either haha. Yes fantasy baseball is a great way to learn. And go play it for yourself as well. I am planning on coming to Ireland for a Masters programme and I am thinking of playing with one of the sides maybe I will see some of you. Good luck Herrick and yeah these guys wont steer you wrong. Peace

We get MLB.TV over here and at the moment a channel called ESPN America shows a lot of games. However that channel is being bought out and merged with other ESPN channels at the start of August and although there will probably still be baseball shown, there probably won't be as much as now.

8-10

I don't see why having a team is important to be honest unless you live in a city over there that has a team.

I mean I have a soft spot for a number of teams and I would consider Red Sox as the team I support. However I'm more just interested in the sport as a whole because I'm not in Boston surrounded by the team and supporters etc.

On any given evening I'm much more likely to watch a game that has an interesting pitching matchup or a fresh callup I want to check out, than whatever Sox game might be on.

There's a lot to be said for supporting a team, but if you want to follow the sport I agree with the suggestion to just start watching and learning the sport first. If a team calls out to you, then go for it, if not, no big deal.

el flaco

This site is good for getting an understanding of the game http://www.howbaseballworks.com/

shikaakwa312

Yeah I really am not disagreeing with anybody, I meant pretty much exactly what 8-10er said. sorry if I didnt get my opinion across better. Also, those Red Sox games were amazing, that whole era and team guys like Varitek, Damon, Todd Walker to name a few were great. I still remember the Red Sox vs Athletics series in '03 when Johnny Damon was carried off on a stretcher- dude was a gamer. My school teacher was a die-hard Red Sox fan from Boston at the time and implemented there team into our curriculum haha. For instance, for math we had to add shillings (a currency) but he said it was bin honor of Curt Schilling. Who is also famous for the bloody sock incident. Last point I want to make to the OP: baseball is tough to grasp at first (atleast for like the women in my family ahha) but once you understand it you will be making decisions during the game and its fun to play manager because when you watch a game you get to see how your decisions wouldve worked. Its like playing fantasy sports while watching the game live- whereas a fast paced sport like GAA or soccer you dont get that because the game never really stops. There are pros and cons of both but that is why I think that it draws more observation, analytically driven people but thats just me.

Waitsian

mikemac1 wrote: »

mlb.com will often show a free game too with superb streaming quality. Not sure if they do it every day but it's regular.

Every day (or to be exact mostly nights!) without fail.

The 'watch/listen' section of the main video link on mlb.com will give you the free games 6 or 7 days in advance.

I'll be tuning in to this on July 1 for the Jays game at 6.07 GMT:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=7/1/2013

Coeus

8-10 wrote: »

I don't see why having a team is important to be honest unless you live in a city over there that has a team.

I mean I have a soft spot for a number of teams and I would consider Red Sox as the team I support. However I'm more just interested in the sport as a whole because I'm not in Boston surrounded by the team and supporters etc.

On any given evening I'm much more likely to watch a game that has an interesting pitching matchup or a fresh callup I want to check out, than whatever Sox game might be on.

There's a lot to be said for supporting a team, but if you want to follow the sport I agree with the suggestion to just start watching and learning the sport first. If a team calls out to you, then go for it, if not, no big deal.

Yea, I'm in the same boat where I dont follow a specific team although I do have soft spots, the Jays and Mets are teams I like to see do well. When I'm in the States/Canada I'll go to game for any team (minors included) if there is one on nearby.

I always root for the underdog aswell. Last season I was loved what the As and Orioles did. This season I'm really hoping the Pirates can hold it together this season and make the playoffs.

TempPeck

You could always catch a baseball game here in Ireland. There are always very friendly people on the sidelines who you can chat to about the game. They can show you specifics. Or you could join one of them! www.baseballireland.com

This weekend there will be 8 games spread out from Friday to Sunday at Corkagh Park for the Gathering Tournament. It'll be a higher standard than usual for Irish Baseball and will be a great weekend of sun, baseball, food etc.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=85444497#post85444497

forzacalcio

Going to jump in here too! When I was in the states back in 1994 as a kid I was brought to a few Phillies games (against the Giants), was in awe of Lenny Dykstra, Mickey Morandini, John Kruk etc. It was very difficult to stay in touch with MLB but actually getting back into it this year (Typical that ESPN is now free with UPC and will have to pay for it going forward )

Ive found mysefl having a liking for San Fransisco Giants, stadium looks amazing, they are doing **** at the minute and are on TV alot due to the success of last year. Looking forward to finding my love for baseball again.

Anyone have MLB TV? Have a Boxee Box and used it for NHL this year but got bored near the end, its greatthe way you can pay monthly for MLB, is it worth signing up? Was thinking of signing up for a moth just as a tester. $24

8-10

forzacalcio wrote: »

Anyone have MLB TV? Have a Boxee Box and used it for NHL this year but got bored near the end, its greatthe way you can pay monthly for MLB, is it worth signing up? Was thinking of signing up for a moth just as a tester. $24

Yep I have it, big fan. First year watching it through my TV, have it running through Apple TV. It's great quality in HD. Can even stream games or highlights on my phone in HD while on the Luas to and from work. But being able to watch any game live or archived on tv/laptop/phone, with no blackouts (assuming you're in Ireland) and being able to pick home or away commentary, plus getting the useful At Bat App for free means it's terrific value for money.

forzacalcio

8-10 wrote: »

Yep I have it, big fan. First year watching it through my TV, have it running through Apple TV. It's great quality in HD. Can even stream games or highlights on my phone in HD while on the Luas to and from work. But being able to watch any game live or archived on tv/laptop/phone, with no blackouts (assuming you're in Ireland) and being able to pick home or away commentary, plus getting the useful At Bat App for free means it's terrific value for money.

If I pay for a month as a test does that mean once the month is up they wont charge again?

I had awful issues trying to cancel my NHL subs for gamecentre for next season.

8-10

forzacalcio wrote: »

If I pay for a month as a test does that mean once the month is up they wont charge again?

I had awful issues trying to cancel my NHL subs for gamecentre for next season.

The annual subscription auto-renews but they warn you by email first. I'm not sure how monthly works I'm afraid.

What I would say is that after the All-Star break you might see the rest of the season package being pretty cheap. The annual premium was $120 this year IIRC so $60 for a half year is pretty good. $24 for 1 month seems a bit more expensive.

Rebel_Kn1ght

I never watched baseball, always though it was boring from the few clips i watched. This year I left on ESPN America and ended up getting hooked on a game and decided to read more about the game and try and learn more. Ever since then I can't get enough of it. I'm even buying MLB the Show for the PS3. I started off by supporting the Red Sox mainly because of their affiliation with LFC but after watching more and more games my team became the Mets and they've just stuck with me. It's hard watching the weekday games because I have to be up early but saturdays and sundays I'll watch 2 games back to back each day. I was debating whether or not to subscribe to MLB.tv because the on demand aspect would appeal to me greatly, but now with ESPN America going off the air i probably won't have a choice but to subscribe

jack presley

Rebel_Kn1ght wrote: »

I never watched baseball, always though it was boring from the few clips i watched. This year I left on ESPN America and ended up getting hooked on a game and decided to read more about the game and try and learn more. Ever since then I can't get enough of it. I'm even buying MLB the Show for the PS3. I started off by supporting the Red Sox mainly because of their affiliation with LFC but after watching more and more games my team became the Mets and they've just stuck with me. It's hard watching the weekday games because I have to be up early but saturdays and sundays I'll watch 2 games back to back each day. I was debating whether or not to subscribe to MLB.tv because the on demand aspect would appeal to me greatly, but now with ESPN America going off the air i probably won't have a choice but to subscribe

Ha ha your team is the Mets! One more to share the pain with. There arw a few of us on here so welcome aboard. Seriously though, another lost year this year but the future does look a bit brighter.

As for MLB.tv, if you can afford it, definitely subscribe. It's great value for money.