GOOFY. HOW TO PLAY BASEBALL. PARTIAL SCRIPT.

Baseball, the great American game, the national pastime of millions, both young and old. The game is played with a sphere named as a baseball. The cork and rubber core is carefully wrapped with yarn and coverd with hard horse hide. The bat is made of carefully selected wood and perfectly balanced. The glove or mitt is well padded, except when the ball is caught. This ball is usually played in a ballpark, consisting of a grandstand, bleachers, fence and the playing field or diamond, so named because of its diamond-like shape. The game is quite simple, as there are only 9 players to watch at one time. When the ball is hit, they change position quickly, thus. There is the pitch! It is a hit through right field. The runner starts for the first base, the right fielder goes to the ball, the pitcher covers first, second baseman pulls off base, the shortstop covers the back, the centre back is up right field, the left fielder goes to the centre and viceversa, the runner tries to strike, so hit for two bases. Here is the throw from field, the runner is out to save for either and neither or both. Simple, isn’t it?

The player is an all-around athlete. The uniform is loose-fitting to allow freedom of movement. The socks is what the team is named after. The shoes are sturdy, lightweight and comfortable. Spikes are firmly fastened to the soles of the shoes to prevent slipping. Gum also plays an important part in American baseball. The pitcher or hurler is the most important man on the team. To the layman, the colourful actions of the pitcher may appear a trifle overdone. However, that is not the case. The windup, for instance, is very necessary, for pitching demands limber brains and well-coordinated muscles, not only in the throwing arm but of the entire body, in order to achieve that bullet-like delivery of the ball.

On the opposing team, we have the batter, who carefully selects his favourate stick or bat. The play starts when the batter hits the ball. Strangelly enough, however, the pitcher tries to keep the batter from hitting the ball. To accomplish this, the pitcher holds the ball in such a manner as to cause it to curve when thrown. The inside curve, the outside curve, and the drop. A straight ball can also be deceptive, for example the spinner. To further confuse the batter, the pitcher may alter his strategy by a change of pace, or slow ball. The “spit ball” is also used to further dampen the batter’s spirits. The “speedball” is also referred to as the “fireball” , “smokeball” et cetera.

And now we can fully appreciate that thrill of thrills, a world series, the deciding game. Our team just about has the series in the bag. The score is three to nothing. It is the last half of the ninth inning, folks. Our pitcher is the hero of the day. He’s pitched a no-hit, no-run game. There are two out and the count is three and two on the batter. Confidently, he bows to the applauses of the crowd. There is the wound-up and the pitch. It’s a hot grounder down the first base line. The runner is away to the speed of an express train, and he is saved from first. Our pitcher is a bit perturbed. The runner is taking a long lead off first. The pitcher sees him… (MINUTE 4’54’’)

(MINUTE 7’22’’) This is going to be close! Well, folks, it is up to the umpire, that impartial pillar of judicial dignity, whose word is law. Field! Wait a minute blah, blah, blah… Free speech, that great American privilege is thoroughly enjoyed by players and spectators alike. That’s why the national sport will always be that good old American sport, baseball.