Author Archives: Ray Wyvill

The Southpaw Advantage

A recent study shone a light on a fact that is in plain view: There is more Left-handed representation in Baseball at the Pitcher position than the general population.  The disparity is not insignificant.  Depending on the resource cited lefties … Continue reading

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Tweaking the Game: Ultimate Outcomes

(Last of a two-part series) Any business proprietor will tell you that facing continual challenges is a central element of operation.  Baseball is hardly immune.  The current hurdles staring at the corporate Major League Baseball afterguard are not insurmountable by … Continue reading

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The Changing Game: Ultimate Outcomes

(First of a two-part series) Changes in baseball may happen at a glacial pace, but over time they produce dramatic effects.  Much like any business, baseball as an industry faces constant challenges. Many of them are of their own making.  … Continue reading

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Of Brilliant Starts and Humble Finishes

Baseball is a sport of youth.  Few things epitomize that more than the “Rookie of the Year.”  Begun in 1947 on a national basis the award draws attention to the next-greatest-thing in the sport.  Some of the winners, like this … Continue reading

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An Appreciation: The Natural

The nature of baseball itself has a dramatic effect on devotees.  The world has many digital-choice realities that dictate how we live.  For those in the Mid-Atlantic about half of the year is spent in short sleeves. The other is … Continue reading

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The Ultimate Hall of Fame

Professional baseball dates its origin to 1869.  The game thereafter expanded in uncontrollable fashion.  Various leagues and associations were formed.  The dynamics of capitalism winnowed out losing ventures.  By the early years of the 20th century things had settled, for … Continue reading

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The Changing Game: Relief Pitching

Professional baseball is a system.  Within the confines of the game changes apply pressure to one or multiple components.  The system reacts to the pressure with responses of its own.  This can all happen in a short period of time.  … Continue reading

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Code Breaking and Baseball

The Divisional tie-breaker game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, October 1 turned on a dime.  With none out in the bottom of the fourth inning Pitcher German Marquez struck out Dodgers’ First Baseman Max … Continue reading

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The Davey Maneuver #Nats

One of the most discussed topics around Nationals’ baseball all year has been first-year manager Dave Martinez.  Much of the dialog has closely resembled a scene from old black-and-white horror movies where the villagers gather near the castle with torches … Continue reading

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Part 2: The Two Worlds of Baseball

The very nature of baseball is the absence of frenzy.  It is our only major sport without a game clock.  So it should be no surprise that the game takes its sweet time doing things.  Since the introduction of a … Continue reading

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