I sit a couple rows behind the plate, dead center.  Been there for a lot o' years.

It was obvious to me that the strike zone was generally wider this year.

The A's specialize in hitters who, other than CarGon do not swing at "bad" pitches.   The big problem this year was to a significant degree, a lack of adjustment to this expanded strike zone.  Especially when batting with with two strikes.  Their approach just does not appear to change in situation hitting. 

Or it could be that the hitters just lack the talent to hit more aggressively and tactically.

I know that some players will tell you they would rather strike out than change their mental approach to the zone. at any time,  Perhaps that is no longer a good tactic.

Competitive strategy is a process of exploiting change in environments with effective tactics .

Coaching adjustment with two strikes and approach to a wider zone needs to start early in the farm system.  Also, bunting and opposite field hitting, doh.  Lets get to work.

Go A's.

As is a growing trend in discounting the McAffee Coliseum fan experience, no mention on the scoreboard or P.A. was made today on Zegler's significant record.

Are they so paranoid that they can't deviate from the script, or is it incompetent marketing?  What an opportunity to let every fan feel they witnessed something very special, just maybe a percentage of them will come back a little more.   The rather sparse standing ovation wasn't due to apathy, it was the fact that too few knew.  As least that was true in my section.

Shame on the A's organization.  Can we get an owner who will  create and /or empower,  a decent marketing department as in the Dolich years??  Its NOT JUST HAVING GREAT ADVERTISING. 

Michael Crowley, are you listening????

I love Ryan Sweeney.  In ANY other year besides the season of Longoria he would be a Rookie-of-the-Year for his 2008 performance.

And you have to love the competitiveness and passion that drives a player to launch themselves like a human projectile into a head-first slide.

Having said that the head-first slide is a really dumb idea.  Doesn't buy you any advantage and exposes you to injury, sometimes serious injury.  Its your head and neck exposed.  If you are "lucky" its only your fingers and arms.

When Mike Piazza virtually ended his his career on a head first slide into third base for the A's, I was thinking "hopefully the A's organization will lean something from this in the long term." 

Testosterone and aggressiveness is much better when filtered by the higher mental facilities.  You might win a few battles with your wreckless abandon, while you lose the war which requires great players being ON THE FIELD, NOT ON THE DL.

Go A's.

I don't know why I thought this was significant or funny, but I did.

Here's an entreprenuerial "game" for ya'all to ponder.  All you have to do is stand in line for an hour+ for a bobblehead, and you get a free crappy seat.  Leave it to Craigslist, where you can get anything from anonymous sex in a theatre to black market oxycontin.  

Oy.........................................

FREE A's Tickets Friday 6/6 (At the coliseum)

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/zip/708620863.html

Reply to: sale-708620863@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-05, 9:14AM PDT


Hi A's fans,

I have a bunch of tickets to Fridays game with the Angels.
I will let you into this game FREE.
Do you have a group or a family? No problem.
Please call for details.
707 769 1412
Leave me a message with how many you need and your phone number.
I will get back to you in the order you called.
If you think I will be out of tickets call anyway, I have a lot.
Is there a catch?
There is always a catch but it will not cost you one penny, I promise.
It's a giveaway day and I want the giveaway item.
I get the item and you are in no charge. Simple as that.
Thanks for looking and I hope I hear from you and see you at the game.

The Truefan Foundation.

When you are on the road too where to schmooze the A's or spy on other teams:

http://travel.ballparksofbaseball.com/teamhotels.htm