Playing Old Testament rules.(on-field fights in Major League baseball)(Brief Article)

The baseball season is a long one, and it can seem even longer with the unbalanced schedule. Teams see a lot of each other, so sometimes tempers flare and things happen. Unfortunately, altercations are part of the big leagues.

This is a tough subject for players to talk about. Players hate to endorse fighting--nothing good comes out of it. But in the big leagues, it is unavoidable. Though the altercations are unavoidable, you often can see them coming.

Maybe one of your players gets hit by a pitch, or maybe he plays second and a player on the other team, hoping to break up a double play, slides too late, trying to take your guy out. Or maybe the other team, knowing you play each other so many times, tries to get the mental advantage by trying to bury you when you're down.

This is where that line of sportsmanship becomes blurred, and you have to take a stand. After all, baseball is like every other competitive sport. If the opponent smells weakness, he has the upper hand.

There is psychological warfare in baseball every night. As childish as it sounds, it's an eye for an eye--more Old Testament than New Testament, if you get my drift. But there is a way to do it, and if it's not done properly, it can get out of hand quickly.

The game has changed so much in the last 20 years. With expanded coverage and up-to-the-minute highlights, players have become hypersensitive to being shown up. In other words, their egos have gotten in the way. You can't even pitch inside without getting stared down.

Do you think for one minute Bob Gibson would have put up with all the stares and the armor of today's players? I can't speak for Mr. Gibson, but I think if a hitter stared him down when he threw one high and tight, he'd lick his chops and say, "I didn't hit you that time, but ...