Baseball is a game of boundaries, some obvious, some subtle, some irregular. An old saying describes it as a game of inches (or centimeters, if you prefer). A small distance this way or that can make the difference between victory and defeat.
A few examples:
Top - the Cardinals' infielders sprint to their positions at the start of the game. There is an infield and an outfield, with a running path in between. You work them in very different ways.
Second - Cardinals' center fielder Jon Jay leaps over the foul line on the way to his position. Maybe he thinks it's unlucky to step on it.
Third - Cincinnati center fielder Shin Soo Choo completely loses a ball in the sun when it was within reach. He missed it altogether, allowing it to bounce off the wall. The Cardinals scored on the play.
Bottom - Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig fouls one off. Cincinnati catcher Ryan Hanigan can't find this one, either. The concept of the strike zone is a bit mystical. For international readers who don't know the term, click here.
A few examples:
Top - the Cardinals' infielders sprint to their positions at the start of the game. There is an infield and an outfield, with a running path in between. You work them in very different ways.
Second - Cardinals' center fielder Jon Jay leaps over the foul line on the way to his position. Maybe he thinks it's unlucky to step on it.
Third - Cincinnati center fielder Shin Soo Choo completely loses a ball in the sun when it was within reach. He missed it altogether, allowing it to bounce off the wall. The Cardinals scored on the play.
Bottom - Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig fouls one off. Cincinnati catcher Ryan Hanigan can't find this one, either. The concept of the strike zone is a bit mystical. For international readers who don't know the term, click here.
