Mid Point in March , and Madness creeps in

Sometimes the springtime moves really slow for some players, one game a day, bus rides from Phoenix to Tucson, from Bradenton to Ocala, or Miami.  It is hard when you play in front of 6,000 or less fans, most of whom are older than your grandmother, and they nod off themselves.

Boredom creeps in right about now in mid March, we are halfway until opening day, and pitchers have been here since February, catchers too, otherwise just an elaborate game of catch.

It is the time of dead arms, of basketball pools, it's March Madness, and players need another diversion for rain delays other than card playing, Nintendo, and Fly Fishing in the Gulf.  So weird things begin to happen, shoes go missing, someone nailed Manny's favourite bat to the wooden fence, and they tried in vain to cut Lincecum's hair, again. Boredom exists because while there is action, there is also waiting, and more waiting, split squads and running beyond the outfield just does not fill up the time. Not everyone can play, and that leads to downtime.

Dead arms crop up in this the 3rd week, and managers have to compensate with a plethora of scrubby pitchers, just until the regulars arms recover to take it over the 5 inning plateau, and beyond. That leads to sloppy innings, walks, balks and long innings. Sponsored by the local car dealer, or restaurant.  Hit the sign, win a steak dinner. Sounds like Bull Durham, don't it ?

Until pitchers recover, we see the odd 19-7 game ( KC and the Dodgers ) , where some games just get out of hand because the team takes only 7 or 8 pitchers on the road, and games get ugly, and for many, boring.

So as for sleeping on the bench, it happens, long rides,3 hour games in March, they are common place right now, but in 10 days, the rust is gone, the aches are forgotten, and the final touches are made to a batting stroke, a breaking ball, and a hit and run play.

March Madness occurs away from the hardcourt, you just have to pay attention beyond all that snoring.