A How to Guide to Running Backs

The running back is one of the most glamorous positions on the football field, playing an integral role in both the passing and running attack. A well-rounded running back is a requirement for success on any level. What skill sets are required for a strong runner? How do running backs fit into different systems? Here are the answers.

Running backs have different requirements based on their scheme.

As with just about every position, there are many ways to play running back based on the skills of the player, the blocking schemes and the offensive system.

Obviously, running backs have different requirements based on their system. For starters, some variations of offenses require a running back to make one cut and run upfield without dilly-dallying behind the line. This tends to require good vision to find the hole immediately, and some of the more intelligent runners make this look easy. Guys like Steven Jackson, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee are perfect examples of guys who stick with and have success with the "one cut and run down field" form of running.

Meanwhile, other systems, like in Indianapolis, require the running back to run out of "stretch" plays. These types of running plays create several potential lane openings as the entire offensive line block in a diagonal path. Ideally, this leaves several gaps and a potential outside cut open to the runner. A stretch play requires the runner to have perfect control over their feet: knowing when to put on the juice, when to cut upfield, whether to cut back the other way, or to sprint diagonally toward the sideline if nothing is happening. It's a skill set not many have: that perfect balance and foot control.

These are just two different types of requirements for a runner depending on scheme. There are so many that listing them would be futile.

Tomlinson combines speed and power, making him lethal.

Power runners

When envisioning a power runner, most would think of skill sets similar to Cowboys running back Marion Barber. However, there are many kinds of power running backs, each with different sets of abilities used in a variety of ways. The term power running back is actually quite vague and leaves a lot of gray areas.

If you were referring to a running back as a power runner of any kind, there are a few features generally associated with a "power running back." They are:

• Extreme leg drive. Able to push piles and constantly push forward despite being impacted of wrapped up. Jamal Lewis is one of the best at this.
• Gets a low pad level. Able to drop their shoulders and bend their knees lower than the average tackler, giving them enough leverage to explode into and thus trample over a would be tackler. An exciting move even when it fails. Marion Barber is amazing at this.
• Hard to bring down. Able to keep their momentum moving forward using every ounce of their will power. Larry Johnson is top notch at this.
• Stiff arming. Able to extend their arm with enough force to throw a tackler off balance. Just being able to do it often isn't enough, it's about placement and timing as well. Laurence Maroney is excellent at doing this.

Evasive runners

To offset the power runners, there are also running back considered "evasive runners". These running backs avoid contact with quick, agile movements. Depending on scheme and depth at the position, as well as judgment on how tough the evasive runner is, they are as backups. Often times, they are used in the perceived "scat back" or "third-down back" role, which I will explain later. But like power runners, the term elusive runner is also quite vague.

Skill sets usually associated with elusive running backs are:

• Speed. While speed is generally overrated (specifically 40 times) at the position, it is also associated with an elusive runner. However, there are cases where speedy runners don't necessarily have any other feature associated with an elusive RB.
• Hip swivel. The ability to play with your upper body basically as free as a bobblehead's big head bouncing around and swaying from side to side. This makes an elusive runner hard to grab a hold of, especially when they have a speed advantage. Brian Westbrook is arguably the best at this.
• Good change of direction. The ability to instantly change direction with quick foot work and a good plant of the opposite leg. A runner good at this makes cut back running look easy, and often makes entire defenses look foolish. Devin Hester, though not a running back, has this skill at the top of his arsenal.
• General evasiveness. The innate, natural ability and instincts of a slippery runner. Be it by juking, spinning, cutting back or even leap frogging a low padded tackler. Some of the features here can be shared by both a power and elusive runner, but it's generally associated with the elusive types. LaDainian Tomlinson is probably the most naturally evasive runners with the best tackle slipping instincts.
  

Necessary skills for all running backs

There are features that both types of running backs share or need to have to even be successful:

• Vision. The ability to see or find a hole and know exactly when to hit it. Often times, poor vision runners will cut to the outside often because they are failing to find the crease, often resulting in tackles for loss or no gain.
• Field awareness. Knowing where you are on the field at all times, knowing where the boundary and the first down marker are, sensing the goal line and defenders. Knowing when to dive forward, run out of bounds or when to give up on the run and settle for what you've gotten.
• Pass protection/blitz pick-up. The ability to follow the rush and support the protection of the quarterback. If even for an extra split second, it helps more so than if there were nothing else impeding the rushers progress toward the quarterback.
• Receiving ability. This is more of a luxury, but in many offenses it's vital that the running back is able to catch and turn upfield. They not only need to be able to catch and hold onto the football, but run the routes in the right timing for the quarterback to make the proper throw to the runner.

And as always, there are variations to how good one back is at any one skill. There are also running backs with skill sets from both types of runners, and not surprisingly, it's often those runners who are the more flashy numbers producers and highlight-reelers.

The luxury-backs

Everyone understands what a starting RB is, but there are what I call luxury-backs. Luxury-backs are the types of runners who play in the roles of a third-down running back or scat back.

The idea of a third-down back is to change the pace and style of the runner in an attempt to catch the defense off their guard. They usually come in on third down because, generally speaking, they have more speed than the starter, can catch out of the backfield better, making them more of a threat for that down and distance. They might also be a better pass protector.

The idea behind a "scat back" (I hate the term, I'm calling them "weapon backs" from here on) is to use a good athlete in several areas of the field rather than just as a running back. Generally, they are better outside runners and a big threat for home run touchdowns. They usually can be found lining up in a receiver position and are a weapon in the passing game as much as they are the run game. They are always quite versatile and have impacts in more than the rushing game.

The concept is to basically supplement the pure running ability of a more natural running back with a runner who is a threat to do more than run the ball. There is no coming out in a dime package on 3rd and long with a guy like that on the field.

A luxury-back's offensive role varies from team to team. For the most part, they all share traits of an elusive back and, as I've said, can generally be found coming in on 3rd down and playing positions other than the lead RB role. Though there are cases, like Brian Westbrook, of a weapon-back that does indeed also play the lead role.

Brian Westbrook is the exception and a major offensive weapon.
In conclusion, the running back position if full of variety. From catching the ball to avoid the tackler to picking up pass-rusher, the running back has many responsibilities on the football field. No wonder they are such a barometer of success.

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Jeff Garcia Frustrated with Contract, Mentions Retirement

Considering Jon Gruden's penchant for quarterbacks, a long-term stay as starting quarterback is unlikely in Tampa Bay. The future of Jeff Garcia, the Buccaneers' current starter, may also be in question.

Garcia, during a Wednesday interview on Sirius Satellite Radio, reveled that he is frustrated with the treatment he has received from the Buccaneers. Retirement is a possibility if he does not receive a new contract.

Coming off of a Pro-Bowl season, Garcia feels “taken advantage of” in terms of his contract. Prior to last season, he signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers after a successful run with the Eagles in place of injured quarterback Donovan McNabb. Now in the last year of his contract, Garcia is set to make $2 million, an amount far below his Pro-Bowl counterparts.

“That’s a frustration,” Garcia said. “If it doesn’t work itself out, if a contract is not presented as far as a renewal to finish my career, then I will seriously think about what my alternate options may be. And it may come to not playing football anymore. I feel like when you mistreat people there comes a time when it doesn’t matter how much you are paid, it’s going to lead to some drastic decisions.

“I do believe that if I step away and let a contract to be a problem, an issue, a distraction, then I’m not going to grow within the system the way I need to grow,” Garcia said. “So I just battle through it. There are days I’m not as excited to be there, I’ll be honest.”

Does Garcia deserve a raise? He played at a very high level last season. Quarterbacking under Gruden isn't the easiest of things. All things considered, he probably does. We will see if anything gets done before the season starts.

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Youkilis' Selfishness Led to Squabble With Manny?

You might have heard that Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez and first baseman Kevin Youkilis had a bit of a confrontation last night. Speculation on the cause of the squabble said Manny, being Manny, was to blame in one way or another.

Not so fast! A Red Sox source told ESPNdeportes.com that Manny and his other Red Sox teammates are growing frustrated with the Greek God of Walks apparent selfishness at the plate. They said:

"It all happened because Manny complained about Youkilis' habit of throwing bats, helmets and other objects in the dugout when he has a bad at-bat, something that has become a constant practice," the source said.

"Other players have told Youkilis in the past about the situation, which makes him look selfish and that he is more worried about each at-bat than about the team. If Boston is winning easily, there's no reason to throw objects all over the dugout because of a bad at-bat.

"There was a meeting where the team let Youkilis know that many of his teammates were tired of his explosive reactions for each bad plate appearance. It became very bothersome … more so when the team is winning and it's in first place. There's not much room for individualistic attitudes."

Well, that was unexpected. I think a new nickname is completely called for at this time. The Sultan of Selfishness?

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How to React to Opponent's Frontflip Throw-in?

You are playing soccer when your opponent, appearing to showboat, does a frontflip before he throws the ball in. How do you react? Why seek vengeance, of course!

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An Idiot's Guide to Quarterbacks

With all the comparisons and debates out there about the better quarterback and the most effective at various aspects of the position, I decided I'd make a guide to the variations of quarterback play, how they fit certain systems, why it's futile to compare them, and to give a coach's insight as to the "whys."

Small hands are a big red flag with quarterbacks.

Not in any way. You don't need big hands to throw the ball or to hold on to it. The same people that were criticizing Culpepper for small hands coming out of college were the same people trying to figure out how to stop him from constantly scoring on them. If your hands are big enough to grip the ball, they are big enough to play quarterback.

A big arm is a must at the pro level.

Another false ideology. There are many intangibles that go into a successful pro quarterback, but a big strong arm is not one of them. Sure, it helps and can be quite a luxury. However, there have been plenty of pro quarterbacks, even Hall of Fame inductees, who do not have and never had a big arm. Throwing 70 yards while on your knee is not something you'll ever need to do in the NFL. In fact, it's extremely rare you'll ever have to sling it 50 yards in the air while on two feet. On average, the longest deep throws go about 30-40 yards before hitting the receiver.

This guy is good.

The Wonderlic shows how good a quarterback will be.

Nope. It's just a way for teams to get somewhat of a gauge on how quick a quarterback can make decisions. Like a wide receiver and their 40 times, it doesn't measure their ability to simply play their position. It's not like a quarterback stands behind his line and has to repeatedly answer questions in a timely fashion. He has to make his reads, which comes down to how well he knows his system and football.

Mobile quarterbacks are more than scrambling quarterbacks.

Most mobile quarterback aren't the running quarterbacks who cross the L.O.S. and gain yards. Some of the more mobile quarterbacks are mobile enough to escape the pressure when it's getting on them and use that mobility to buy some extra time for their receiver to get open. Mobile and "able to gain lots of yards on the ground" are different abilities. In order to gain yards on the ground, you need some level of escapability from tacklers, not just the ability to scramble around. There are quarterbacks with both attributes (able to escape from the pocket and buy time and able to escape tacklers for lots of forward progress), but they still are two different skills.

Most mobile quarterbacks also use that mobility to run towards the line, but not beyond it. Such motions will draw corners and safeties out of position to stop the quarterback from gaining yards, enabling the quarterback to fire a completion to one of the receivers who are now open.

Pocket Passers

A pocket passer, in the sense of it, is a quarterback of any arm strength, accuracy or intangible skill set who prefers to make his throws from within the pocket provided by the offensive line.

The true test of a pocket passer is their willingness to throw the ball knowing they will take a whooping for it. Many quarterbacks, even good ones like Brady or Peyton Manning, are willing to throw and take the hit, but begin to struggle as this goes on during the game. It's the reason why they run the types of offenses that they do: ones that focus on quick releases, quick decision making, and precise (no-option) route running. Some quarterbacks, however, are not phased by this aspect, but struggle in other areas. Again, no quarterback is perfect--all skill sets have a downside and all quarterbacks have faults.

While pocket passers generally share the same basic skill sets (like sensing the rush rather than seeing the rush which would cause them to divert their eyes from their targets), there are many varieties of pocket passer. The term "pocket passer" is in no way a way to describe what a quarterback can do, but rather simply how they go about doing it.

What makes good quarterbacks good?

There are several factors to take in when judging how well a quarterback will do at the pro level. Many of them are better at one intangible than the other, and few do everything to perfection, which creates many types of quarterbacking styles.

• Accuracy is the most important. It's not just pure accuracy, but instead, it's being able to place the ball where only the receiver can make a play. You have to be able to anticipate the route and know the system to do this effectively.
• Decision making with a defender bearing down on the quarterback is a plus. This is an amazing feature that some quarterbacks who are really good still lack. This is why quarterbacks like Tom Brady, who lack this feature and can be rattled after being hit around, are used in systems which keep a quarterback releasing the ball in a timely manner with many timed patterns and few option routes. A guy like Carson Palmer, for comparison's sake, who is capable of taking hits and not loosing his accuracy or touch, can play in systems that utilize option routes, progressions and fewer designated-receiver plays. As with everything else, it comes down to the quarterback's skill set matching what he needs to do in that system.
• Basic decision making is a factor. How consistently can they deviate from the design of the play to make a play? Some quarterbacks throw many more interceptions because they are too risky of a decision maker rather than a poor decision maker. It still comes down to how well they see the field and anticipate the defense. If you have a quarterback who struggles with good decision making, you obviously want to ask him to make fewer decisions--thus use more short patterns, timed patterns and designated receiver plays. If you have a risky decision maker known for coming up big, you obviously want to keep him in a scheme that limits his decision making, but doesn't restrict him from taking some risks and making the big plays.
• Pre-snap and post-snap adjustments are beneficial. I'm not just talking about pointing out blitzers and calling audibles at the line. I'm talking about being able to see what the defense is doing before they do it and anticipating it for your throw. It's not an exact science, and as with all quarterback traits, some do it better, some do it worse, and some can't do it at all. It all comes down to how that quarterback will be relied on to do this in his system. If your quarterback is no good at this, you don't want to scheme your offense around post-snap route adjustments. Instead, you stick with more conventional methods.
  

Quarterbacking is much more than arm strength.

System quarterbacks are quarterbacks who wouldn't play well in any other system.

No quarterback would play well in every system. Every quarterback has different skill sets and are better at some abilities than others. Again, it's about tailoring your scheme to the player in an effort to maximize what he can do best and to minimize the exposure of his faults as a quarterback. You don't see Peyton Manning being asked to run roll outs or throw to lots of streak routes for a reason.

Which is all of course, why any argument of Quarterback A is better than Quarterback B is basically futile. You can say Quarterback A is better at this, or Quarterback B is better at that, but as for who's better as a quarterback, it comes down to what system they are playing in, what they are asked to do and how well their skill sets fit the role they'd be asked to fill as a quarterback.

No two quarterbacks are exactly a like. Some may play similarly and have similar qualities, but no two of them have the same skill set or would be as effective in the same scheme as the other. Comparing them is like comparing an apple to an orange. They are both a fruit (quarterback in this case) but that is where the similarities end.

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Football Schemes For Dummies

When it comes to offensive and defensive schemes, there are many misconceptions about what they mean to a team and the players playing within them. For all you football dummies out there, or football fans looking for more of a coach's insight, here are the most common.

Offensive misconceptions
Many people overlook the fact that quarterbacks of any kind are typically a "system quarterback".

Many coaches bring their system with them wherever they go and look for quarterbacks that fit the mold of their system. For instance, you wouldn't catch Peyton Manning running a June Jones Run 'N' Gun scheme where he could be exposed as an immobile statue while waiting for the deep routes to develop. But you will--and do--catch him in a more classic offensive scheme utilizing 2 short routes, a deep route and a first down route. This maximizes the usefulness of his quick release and keeps him from getting abused in the pocket.

As a head coach or offensive coordinator, you either find the right quarterback for your system, adjust your system, or create a new one for a quarterback who you confident in scheming around. If you think calling a quarterback a system quarterback is a knock on their abilities, you have a lot to learn about football.

West Coast offenses are not always heavily lopsided on the pass end of the run-pass ratio.
This is a huge misconception. Many people associate West Coast offenses with a scheme like Andy Reid's in Philadelphia, where the passing routes are very diverse and the variations of routes are the main aspect of the offense. However, West Coast offenses have many variations. There have been several which were very run oriented. Denver's version under Shannahan is the most prominent of the run-oriented West Coast offenses. There are two key factors that make an offense a West Coast offense.

First and foremost, scripted plays are a major part of the offense. In other words, passing plays which are intended to get the ball to a specific target at a specific time regardless of coverage. These are passes usually attack the shallow areas of the field, allowing the receiver to gain yards after catch. Many screens, short crossing patterns, digs, flares and wheel routes are perfect examples of routes and plays which highlight a West Coast offense. A good West Coast offense can successfully predetermine their first 10 to 15 plays of the game without having to adjust the game plan.

The other main factor is the widened use of option routes. These routes are designed to go one of two or sometimes three receivers based on the defensive coverage.

And always remember: there are many variations of this system. In reality, the term "West Coast offense" is overused as a description. No two teams use the same form of it anymore.

There is a two tight end offense

This is completely false. There are two tight end sets, but not offensive schemes. However, there are many variations of two tight end sets, the most common of which is the Single back formation. As you might have guessed the Single back formation utilizes just one running back. The trend was hot for a year or two but has died out some with the lack of success many running backs have without a lead blocker. Now, most teams motion one of the tight ends to the backfield to block, thus nearly entirely defeating the purpose of a Single back formation.

Spread offenses use 4 wide receivers in their base offensive set.

The misconception of the spread offense was caused by Madden video games and is not entirely true. A spread offense is a scheme which relies on using more than the basic two wide receivers sets more often than using the two wide receivers sets in an effort to spread the defense out and maximize running lane potential. This enables the quarterback to have an easier time pointing out blitzers, recognizing coverages, and getting a better feel for the defense. Usually, it's done with three wides--just enough to pull a linebacker out of the box or to draw more nickel defenses. (Against the nickel defense, the creation of a large running lane may be more valiable than forcing a linebacker into coverage).

This does not mean using 4 wide receivers on every play. In fact, doing so would be a nice way to get your quarterback injured. It would also prevent you from running effectively with any consistency. Fewer blockers means it's harder to find lanes, resulting in more runs to the outside.

Defensive misconceptions
There's the 3-4 and the 4-3. That's it.

If your speaking about front 7 alignments, then yeah, nowadays, that's about all there is. But simply being a 3-4 or a 4-3 base front doesn't explain what kind of scheme you run. Each front has many, many variations on how they are run, called, designed and played.

The main differences are in aggressiveness and coverages. Some 4-3 schemes, like the now infamous "Tampa 2", rely on tough man stopping power up front, passive zone coverages, occasional aggressive blitzing from the linebackers, and strong from safeties over the top in a cover 2 assignment. While an offense--like say, the New York Giants, who also run a 4-3--are much more aggressive. They rely on pass rushing and push from the linemen and emphasize tenacity and speed from the linebackers to stop the run. They keep a safety closer to the line to help support those linebackers.

The 3-4 scheme is more aggressive.

Generally, the 3-4 was designed with the intention of disguising where the fourth rusher is coming from. The 4-3 has four down linemen, so you'll usually see 4 men rushing unless there is a blitz, in which case, there would be five rushers. In the 3-4, with 3 down linemen, the fourth rusher is not considered a blitzer. So when an offense knows there will be a fourth rusher, because there almost always is, it has to figure out which one of the four linebackers will rush. This causes confusion on every down. It's not so much extra aggressive as much as it is more complex for the offensive line and quarterback to work against.

The fifth rusher would be considered a blitzer. There are 4-3 schemes which send fifth rushers more often than you'll see some 3-4 schemes do. A perfect example of this is the Patriots. They run a 3-4, so many are quick to comment on the aggressive nature of their defense. Completely wrong. They run a more relaxed 3-4, which is actually quite similar to a"Cover 2"/"Tampa 2" defense with a 3-4 front. Thus all those "bend but don't break mentality" comments from analysts during New England's last SB run (prior to losing to NY). Relax, stay put in your area of the field, make a play when you can. No chasing, leaving your post and being the cause for a huge cutback run. Give them only what they can get; nothing more. Bend but don't break.

Whereas Wade Phillips' version of the 3-4 front utilizes a fifth rusher almost every other down. They use a 3-4 formation in Dallas, and he asks his players to aggressively swarm the ball and leave their post in an effort to make an earlier tackle at the price of risking, as I said above, a huge cutback lane for a touchdown.

Aggressive is not necessarily better or more effective. Aggressive is a preference by some coaches. Same with passiveness. It is not anymore effective than an aggressive defense. It's simply just a preference.

3-4 needs huge guys up front.

Not entirely true; what you need is muscle mass. Defensive ends must be quick enough to stay in an offensive tackle's face and strong enough to keep them off the outside linebacker. You do not need to be huge to do that. You just need to be strong enough, mentally as well as physically, to do it. Defensive tackles (nose tackles in a 3-4) must be powerful enough to neutralize the center and delay a guard from reaching the linebacker's level and blocking him.

Again, you don't need to be huge. In fact, you want those guys to be pretty nimble, not just powerful. Speed rush ends and push generating defensive tackles fail in the 3-4 because their athleticism doesn't stretch to their pure strength, not there size. There is no such thing as an undersized defensive lineman, just a defensive lineman not strong enough to do the job needed of them in a 3-4 front.

A combination of size and quickness is ideal for the 3-4.
Cover 2 is a scheme the Bucs and Colts run.

Wrong. Very wrong. Cover 2 is a type of defensive play call that has existed for decades now, which utilizes two deep safeties in zone coverage. There are many ways of using it, with all sorts of zone assignments or man coverages in front of the safeties. But bottom line: a Cover 2 is a play, not a scheme.

What the Buccaneers and Colts run (among some other teams) is referred to as the "Tampa 2", as opposed to the cover 2. That is referred to as a scheme and not a play, because the entire scheme of the defense is to utilize many different variations of Cover 2 play calling (man to man on one side with zones on the other, zones across the board, man across the board, etc.) while always maintaining their two deep safeties in Cover 2.

That's pretty much all the average guy needs to know about offensive and defensive schemes. If you've read this and learned something, excellent. If you've read this and knew it all already, even better. But if I've been able to prevent ignorance like "Player A is too undersized for the 3-4" or "Player B is just a system QB and not really a good QB", then this was well worth typing.

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Ruth's Granddaughter Wants MLB to Retire the Babe's Number "3"

No Yankee has worn the number 3 since the club retired it 60 years ago. That is not good enough for some. Linda Ruth Tosetti believes the Babe "belongs to all of baseball" because he single-handedly saved baseball in America after several betting scandals. His number should never again be worn in a MLB game, she says.

Tosetti, Ruth's granddaughter, did what any woman with a "Ruthian mug" would do. She created a website and started a petition. The petition, which has been signed by 1383 people online, reads:

A PETITION TO RETIRE BABE RUTH'S NUMBER "3" THROUGHOUT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

For his contributions to our national pastime, for his contributions to children all over the world and for his humanitarian works: Babe Ruth single-handedly saved the game of baseball with his mighty bat, his charismatic personality and his inherent sense of fair play. He made it possible for baseball to become the international game it is today.

When it was not possible for minorities to participate in Major League baseball, Babe was not deterred. He spoke up on behalf of these fine men, he barnstormed with them and his actions and words on their behalf has not gone unnoticed by baseball historians.

Please help to achieve this tribute for an American icon, George Herman "Babe" Ruth. Thank You!

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Tosetti's petition frustrates me on a few accounts.

First, this idea that baseball was "single-handedly" saved by Babe Ruth. He was a factor, but he was not the only person involved in leading it past betting scandals. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis was given absolute control after the Black Sox scandal. The suspensions and bans he handed out were important in ending that dark chapter in baseball history. The radio, exciting rivalries, and Ruth played important roles, too.

This next part just makes me laugh: "When it was not possible for minorities to participate in Major League baseball, Babe was not deterred." I am at a loss. I think this could be worded differently.

Lastly, what does it matter if Babe Ruth's number is retired or not? I mean, his legend has lasted over half a century without this honor.

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Selig to Address Maple Bats With Union on June 24

Last week, Commissioner Bud Selig expressed his concern about the potential danger of shattering maple bats. On June 24, Selig will meet with the players association and several teams to address the issue.

Banning the use of maple bats completely is one option. However, the idea was contentious during the last labor negotiations; the players wanted no part of parting with their bats.

Selig is said to be looking into several other solutions if an outright ban falls through.

For starters, Major League Baseball could restrict the width of bat handles. The way things are now, players seek bats with a thin handle and a large barrel; often times, they will thin the handle to make it even thinner. This, supposedly, gives the hitter more snap in his swing. It also makes the bat more susceptible to shattering.

Taking a page out of Japanese baseball's book, Selig would extend the netting from behind the plate down the first and third baselines. This, of course, would protect the fans who may be paying just partial attention to the game.

What about those people who are paying attention to the game? Pirates hitting coach Don Long, who lost feeling in his upper lip after being sliced by a shattered bat, compares them to spears or thrown javelins. White Sox third baseman Joe Crede says they lodge into the field like lawn darts (interesting that the metal lawn darts are banned because of fatal injuries). Some fielders acknowledged that their main concern when a bat breaks is to avoid the bat instead of playing the ball.

Unless Selig and the Union address the breakage itself by either banning or restricting the bats, the fielders will still be placed in a bad position defensively. That being said, protecting the fans would be a good start.

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