Al: Beaning batters is fake tough

TULSA - I must admit, I am confused. I have been a baseball fan for 55 of my 60 years on this earth. And I am very much confused.

What is so tough about pitchers throwing at batters? What is so macho about watching your batted ball from the batters box, sail over the fence, and then take 45 seconds to trot around the bases?

Both should stop.

The pitchers really do not know what to do. Batters are getting pinch-hit for because managers are afraid the star player is going to get hurt from a plunking. Umpires have trouble deciding what is an inside pitch, a brush back pitch, an attempt to injure.

As a fan, I am not impressed with pitchers who claim they are just doing what has been in baseball forever. That is a cop out. In my opinion it takes away your ability to try and hit the inside corner. What if the pitch does get away a little? The ump is immediately going to think intentional, not inside corner.

As a fan, I am not impressed with home run hitters who admire the shot just blasted. Round the bases and celebrate with your teammates in the dugout.

As a fan, I would like to see all of this nonsense go away.

To me it is fake tough.

Fake tough needs to leave the game. It will not happen, so I know my wishes will go to waste.

I will still be a baseball fan. Just give me a well-pitched game, with a 9th inning walk-off homerun, and a quick trip around the bases...