MLB’s Non-Negotiable Ritual

Even revealing a so-called open secret outside the stadium only appears to be an unwritten rule, but this unspoken nugget is not explainable in two sentences or one paragraph, unless the receiver of them is familiar with this MLB necessity.

The Illusion:

On the surface, what you see is what you get only seems to encompass everything, but it also includes what your eyeballs miss.

On the way to the majors, a prospect moves from rookie ball to Double-A, and each promotion leads to stronger competition. Additionally, success at Double-A means the athlete has the ability to play in the big leagues, but does he have the mental toughness required for the Show?

"IN OTHER WORDS:      “I remember going from rookie ball to A, to double A, then to triple A. At every level it seemed like the game was faster. The bigger the situation, the more the game speeds up. That’s all mental. It messes people up.” – Derek Jeter"

Before a fan takes a seat in the ballpark, meetings have occurred prior to each series, which includes film and scouting reports: Hitters and pitchers have powwows with their respective coaches. And all players, coaches and managers invest considerable thought into each game: both on an individual basis and in groups. For example, the starter and the catcher go through the signs and the opposition’s lineup, while a regular forms a plan for the other team’s hurler.

While every sport has its own personality, you have to go back to its beginning to understand it. Baseball is spending leisure time with friends and strangers alike, discussing earlier highlights during the contest, and not caring if you ever get back. If – on the other hand – you had nonstop action, you wouldn’t be able to savor an acrobatic defensive play, a majestic home run or the building tension in a hard-fought battle putting you on the edge of your seat. In other words, unless the situation is completely obvious, you don’t know when one swing will change things because baseball is a game of moments.