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Blown Call and the Baseball Purist

Paul Martinez — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:07:32 +0000

I woke up this morning to several questions about what I thought about a blown call. I consider myself a bit of a baseball purist so, for that reason, I immediately thought, “A call is a call.” I then took a look at the play in question. Not only was I astonished while looking at the play, I was heartbroken as I heard the reactions from the announcers. The umpire Jim Joyce is a 22-year veteran major league umpire that clearly blew a call. There have been blown calls in the past but, none that had the potential historical significance as this one. As I thought more about it, if I were to write to Bud Selig, the Commissioner of Baseball, I would offer some criteria for making a call eligible for reversal. Some of the calls that have been blown in the past have met some but not all of the following criteria.

The criteria are also a few reasons why I believe that the call should be overturned by the Commissioner of Baseball:

The game took place early enough in the season that it would not materially impact a pennant race for either team
The call did not take place during a playoff game
The call would not impact who would win the game
The call would alter the historical significance of the game
The umpire would admit to making the incorrect call

On a closing note, Galarraga would deliver the lineup the following day to a tearful Joyce who will never forget his blown call. This is not a plead to let instant replay into baseball. You will never hear that come from me. I hope that all baseball fans would agree that an overturned call in this instance will not be an example but an exception. Ultimately, it is a call for the Commissioner to exercise his authority to change the call that blew this perfect game. If overruled, the game will be perfect in the books but will forever be the imperfect in the eyes of many.

MLB, D-back Bloggers and Press Credentials

Paul Martinez — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:00:03 +0000

For a couple years I have withheld from communicating my opinion on Major League Baseball’s decision to deny any type of press or media asset credentials to bloggers. After an informative and revealing meeting held by the Arizona Interactive Marketing Association (AZIMA), I have decided to share some pretty insightful information that I hope is useful to some of the enthusiasts and bloggers out there. In a way, I am glad that I waited this long. To get a better understanding of the challenges that the individual ball clubs face, we need to understand the organization of MLB, it’s clubs and MLB Advanced Media. Keep in mind that how each ball club decides to handle their interactive marketing is up to them and each situation is unique.

In order to better conceptualize the situation, it is important to note that MLBAM is it’s own entity. MLB Advanced Media controls everything digital for MLB. This includes mailing lists, iPhone applications, team websites, specific Twitter accounts, Facebook pages and the list goes on. In order for a club to get any interactive marketing campaign going, it all has to be approved by MLBAM. This creates a bit of a challenge when it comes to credentialing bloggers as members of the media. This new understanding of what is required behind the scenes puts things into a whole new perspective.

I would personally like to thank the Arizona Diamondbacks and their Marketing Director Karina Bohn for taking the time to communicate this to the audience at the AZIMA event. There is no doubt that this was a difficult item of discussion and their presence and candid response is invaluable to enthusiasts and bloggers. I, for one, will continue to blog and pledge to continue to keep my posts within the highest regard of MLB and it’s clubs in an effort to keep the community properly informed.

Copyright, Art and Baseball

Paul Martinez — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:21:05 +0000

I feel compelled to write. People that know me also know that I love my baseball. I also enjoy getting a little creative from time to time. I have entered contests in the past to mix and mash-up artists’ pieces of music that were sponsored by the artists and had permission to re-skin themes for websites. However, Goodyear Ballpark’s new sculpture is unnerving for some reason.

Is it the fact the Bird in Space artist Constantin Brancusi, had passed 52 years ago and could not have possibly been okay with it? Or was it the fact that he was paid such a large sum of money to give it to the city? Don’t get me wrong, I have done my fair share of parody logos (see the site logo) but, have never sought financial reward without either seeking permission or paying for rights. Maybe it will grow on me but, I like to think that I can appreciate art and this doesn’t resonate well with me right now.

In case you can’t tell. I am really having a hard time with this. Check it out. It’s massive.

“Constantin Brancusi: Bird in Space (1996.403.7ab)”. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/11/euwf/ho_1996.403.7ab.htm (October 2008)

Learn more on www.metmuseum.org

See more works of art from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of European Paintings and Modern Art.

Spring Training Exhibit at Mesa Historical Museum

Paul Martinez — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:40:11 +0000

Spring Training 2008

Originally uploaded by phxwebguy

Today I ventured out to the Mesa Historical Museum to check out the brand new Cactus League Experience exhibit. I was a little to late to catch Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry but, I was able to see some amazing pieces of history.

The plan is to get a featured article up on AZ Hardball but, we are going to be sure that the story receives the appropriate approvals before publishing it.

For those of you that are baseball fans, check out AZ Hardball in the near future for the January special feature.

Baseball Enthusiast Website to Launch 10/6

Paul Martinez — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:36:52 +0000

Those of you who know me have probably seen my recent trips across town visiting various baseball stadiums. As a internet junkie and an avid baseball fan, I thought that it would be a great idea to promote all of the baseball that the valley has to offer. Why not couple the two things that I enjoy the most. Baseball and technology.

The website will contain information on the Arizona Fall League, Cactus League Spring Training, the Arizona Diamondbacks and some other fun baseball facts and features. I am lining up a list of features for the coming months and since I will be attending games anyhow, there will be much fresh content on the site. There will be some informal game commentaries that should make it fun and interesting. Check back for additional information to be coming soon.