Atlantic Baseball Blog

I've noticed, as I've traversed the baseball-blogerati, that an overwhelming number of baseball bloggers are statheads.

I am not.

My mind is not geared for positive math interaction. Infact, I would have to say that if math were a person, I would punch it in it's stomach...then run away. I don't know the significance of a pitcher's WHIP, or any of those new stats Sabermetricians want to use to define who is good and who is bad.

I'm a writer and a baseball fan. That's all. I love going to the ball park, kicking back with a soda and a dog, and watching a game. Because of my location, I tend to root for the Riversharks and Wilmington BlueRocks. But truth be told, good baseball is good baseball, no matter what logo's on the cap.

The last game I went to, which was just before the 4th of July, I saw a kid in the Pirates system playing for Lynchburg. He's one of the best second basemen I've ever seen. He has range, a strong arm, and runs like he stole something.

But he made a throw to second for a force-out, and I swear to god when he played the ball he was 5 steps off the first base foul line. I had to cheer for him. Had to. You can't make a play like that and not get cheered.

But that aside diverted me from the reason for this, the fourth post of the afternoon.

Please don't expect statistical breakdowns of the Atlantic or Northeast Leagues. Numbers in these leagues really aren't that important. The only three numbers that really matter in any league, from the Northwoods to the National League are W - L - GB.

Now, before all you sabermetricians start to yell at me. Baseball has always been a sport that lends itself to stats. It's a very math-friendly game. And people who enjoy crunching numbers should continue to do so. Because baseball is what you get out of it. It's a summer afternoon at the park talking sports with your best friend, and it's late nights contrasting Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron's power numbers.

But no matter what kind of baseball fan you are, just go to a game. If you're in the northeast, go to an NEL, or AtL game. Independent leagues depend on fans coming through the turnstiles.