Bat drops. Fun? Or bad sportsmanship?

[ForeverRoyalKC]

I'm kinda fence riding this one. I think some of it is fun and there's nothing wrong with being excited in a big game situation, but is some getting out of hand and showing up pitchers?
And...as a pitcher, do you get angry about it or be a man and just take it on the chin?
Is there a fine line of fun celebration or just showing off?

I have the can opener if you want to borrow it for this can of worms.

[Cobra Mgr]

A bunch of hubbub over nothing.

[Déjà Bru]

Yeah, I agree. There's much worse these days, like some moron choking himself in victory.

[Westheim]

I draw the line between a "dramatic" bat flip (whatever that is supposed to man, gravity will get it sooner or later...) and admiring the bomb; and stuff where you actually antagonize the other team by cartwheeling around the bases, shouting at the other dugout, or thumbing your nose at the pitcher you just charged with 425 feet.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Westheim

I draw the line between a "dramatic" bat flip (whatever that is supposed to man, gravity will get it sooner or later...) and admiring the bomb; and stuff where you actually antagonize the other team by cartwheeling around the bases, shouting at the other dugout, or thumbing your nose at the pitcher you just charged with 425 feet.

Such behavior deserves a drill, and I'm not talking about a dentist or carpenter. But OP was concerned merely about bat flipping which could be seen as artistry or flair in celebration, not demeaning to opponents.

[Westheim]

Yeah no, a bat flip is not in itself showing up the pitcher.

It's a game, y'know. Have *some* fun.

[Cobra Mgr]

I have failed for decades to understand why throwing around the horn on a strikeout isn't showing up the batter, but flipping a bat is showing up the pitcher.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

I have failed for decades to understand why throwing around the horn on a strikeout isn't showing up the batter, but flipping a bat is showing up the pitcher.

I always thought they throw around the horn to keep the third baseman awake.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Westheim

I always thought they throw around the horn to keep the third baseman awake.

Or give the traditionally crappy-fielding first baseman some practice.

[LD84]

How dare baseball have some personality

[mytreds]

Nah, drop the bat, take the trot. Stop showboating.

And that’s for every player, stop emoting, be a man, an adult. Celebrate when you win the big games, not the May 25th game.

But that’s me. People are free to do what they want.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by mytreds

Nah, drop the bat, take the trot. Stop showboating.

And that’s for every player, stop emoting, be a man, an adult. Celebrate when you win the big games, not the May 25th game.

But that’s me. People are free to do what they want.

I agree with this. While I don't get upset about bat flips and many other unnecessary displays of classless emotion all across sports, I don't see why - when athletes are presented with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements in a classy manner - they choose otherwise. To each his own, I guess.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by mytreds

Nah, drop the bat, take the trot. Stop showboating.

And that’s for every player, stop emoting, be a man, an adult. Celebrate when you win the big games, not the May 25th game.

But that’s me. People are free to do what they want.

Pretty much this. Childish, but doesn't hurt anyone.

I like the Scott Rolen approach. Put your head down, and run around the bases.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv6Y0f4P3Uk

[ForeverRoyalKC]

I don't mind some of the flips or drops. Jose Bautista's was epic. But what bothers me is the hit, stand there and watch, lean back, s-l-o-w-l-y start walking towards first, flip/drop the bat, chug along, barely jogging, etc.
The drops and flips are great, but man you can milk the udder too dry.

[ForeverRoyalKC]

I was watching brawls and fights from past MLB games years ago and it's amazing that even the slightest "stand and watch your home run" (see Carlos Gomez and Jose Fernandez) was immediately taken offense to and confrontations and/or brawls ensued.
Now...it's commonplace. Everyone does it.

So what changed??

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoyalKC

I was watching brawls and fights from past MLB games years ago and it's amazing that even the slightest "stand and watch your home run" (see Carlos Gomez and Jose Fernandez) was immediately taken offense to and confrontations and/or brawls ensued.
Now...it's commonplace. Everyone does it.

So what changed??

People grew up?

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

People grew up?

Actually, in my opinion, people grew down.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Actually, in my opinion, people grew down.

I admit it isn't the normal trend.

But it's a game. Let people have fun & let their personality show. I'm not for the "in your face" moments. But I am for pumping up yourself & your team.

[ForeverRoyalKC]

The difference is so night and day! The Jose Fernandez HR off the Braves, when he stood for two seconds (and was slightly moving towards first base at the time) to watch his first HR ever and then Braves catcher, McCann, started jawing at him when he reached home and the benches cleared.

Now......you can do about fifteen things at the plate and nothing happens. The contrast is so unbelievable!

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoyalKC

The difference is so night and day! The Jose Fernandez HR off the Braves, when he stood for two seconds (and was slightly moving towards first base at the time) to watch his first HR ever and then Braves catcher, McCann, started jawing at him when he reached home and the benches cleared.

Now......you can do about fifteen things at the plate and nothing happens. The contrast is so unbelievable!

Maybe because the old school guys have died out. The average baseball player now has been raised in the facebook/youtube era where individualism isn't a nasty word.