Major League Baseball’s season will end soon for the teams which will not make the playoffs. Although the playoffs will consume nearly all of October for at least two teams, because they are in he World Series, there is no better time for a few comments on the game today.
Rules changes: It continues to be disheartening to see the depositing of base-runners on second base in the extra innings. There is justification in diminishing long extra-inning games, however, the process can wait three extra innings. Let the batting go around one full stop until the 13th inning. The temporary measure may have been necessary with the COVID-19 in a shortened season, however, it can spoil the essence of the game. It strikes of little league games, not Major League Baseball. There are other ways to cut down in the length of games, however, the erroneous claim that fans will turn away from long games is not steeped in logic. If the fans are at the games, they would want to see the obvious conclusion and would not be turned off by arbitrary changes in the game.
• Remnants of the glory days of the Chicago Bulls dominance, 1991-1993, and 1996-1998, were rekindled in brief when Toni Kukoc was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was an important part of the Bulls, especially in the second phase of dominance. It was fitting that Michael Jordan was a part of the induction ceremony, along with owner Jerry Reinsdorf. If only the Bulls this season, beginning next month, can rekindle playoff passion and produce positive results. It can be done.
• The high school football season is one-third completed in the regular season. Coaches of Batavia, Marmion, and Yorkville offer insights into their teams and seasons. First it is nice to have a possible nine-game season and then playoffs. The 2020 season, played in the early Spring this calendar year, offered no playoffs and no more than six regular-season games. Some teams, because of COVID-19, played as few as two or three games.
Nonetheless optimism has been restored.
• Batavia prevailed against visiting Wheaton North, 23-20, in overtime in the DuKane County Conference opener. Tied at 17, Wheaton North kicked a field goal when the Batavia defense prevailed, and Batavia scored a touchdown. Each team started 2-0
Batavia surprises: “Maybe quarterback Ryan Boe, as a sophomore playing very well,” Batavia head coach Dennis Piron said. Most pleasing? “All phases, but, primarily our improving passing game, and overall defense.”
• Marmion Academy defeated rival Montini Catholic, 27-10 in game three for a 3-0 record.
“Our team strength,” Marmion head coach Dan Thorpe, in his 40th season coaching football, “offensive and defensive lines. We are very big and athletic for our size. We have speed at wide receivers, and three tough running backs.”
• Yorkville has started 2-1 and head coach Dan McGuire points to good line play on offense and defense. “Defense has played well in all three games.”