Letters To The Editor

Enough anti-WSU wisecracks

I am a Seattle resident and a 1987 WSU Graduate. I have attended all the WSU home football games the past five seasons. When I am in the Palouse, I make it a point to purchase your Saturday and Sunday newspaper. However, after reading yet another “wisecracking” editorial from John Blanchette I have had enough. Why must Mr. Blanchette consistently add a “negative spin” to anything positive for the WSU football program?

An opening season Pac-10 victory was important for WSU football. Clearly, Mr. Blanchette has a low regard for WSU, its football team, and its limited, but supportive fan base.

With all the obvious hurdles the WSU program faces (remote location, etc.), it is disappointing to have such biased press from the region’s largest newspaper.

I strongly disagree with the view that Spokane/Eastern Washington is the “poor sister” of Seattle/Western Washington, but Mr. Blanchette does not help the cause by consistently writing like an unpopular kid in elementary school who relies on negative “wisecracks” to feel important. Mark McGee Seattle

Technology may help

Recently, Major League Baseball has been considering some changes to make the game more appealing to the fans. I would like to suggest that the use of technology could make baseball more credible.

Baseball is a very old game. It has matured in some very peculiar ways. Its integrity has suffered and we have let it happen for the sake of tradition. Let me give you some examples.

The rule book defines the strike zone in very precise terms. However, no one plays by those rules. It is accepted that the National League strike zone is wider than that of the American League and neither of them observe the upper parameter.

Groundskeepers use precise measurements when lining the batters box only to have the first batter rub them out. Many batters stand obviously outside the invisible lines with impunity.

When turning a double play, the infielder’s need to step on second base is optional. Umpires overlook such indiscretion. They say it is a given.

Baseball is known as a game of inches, yet the game is inconsistently regulated by human umpires. Players and fans alike are regularly infuriated because of errors in judgement that they perceive. Instant replay has proven umpires to not only be fallible but to have unique personalities, showing arrogance, anger and simply having bad days.

I would suggest that Major League Baseball investigate ways to use technology to improve the reliability of the game. Traditionalists will say it would ruin its character, but these are the same people who condone the New York Mets’ use of three permanently mounted video cameras to steal signs from opposing teams.

I love baseball and the many peculiarities, but I don’t believe league realignment will bring the fans back. Technology just may.

What technology, you ask? Well, I’m no techno-genius, but how about a device that defines and regulates the vertical boundaries of the strike zone like an overhead camera. What about instant replay with the manager able to challenge two calls a game. Use your imagination. Better yet, let Major League Baseball use its. Dave Graham Liberty Lake

Ladies, huddle up

Wives, and mothers … learn FOOTBALL! It is a healthy family sport. You can talk to your children - communicate with your husband. It’s easy:

The team with the ball has four tries to move it 10 yards. Reaching 10 yards is called a first down and they earn four more tries to achieve the next 10 yards and so on until they make a touchdown (six points), which is getting the ball into the end zone.

If they are close enough to the end zone but can’t get the ball in during three tries, a kicker will kick it through the goal posts. This field goal counts for three points - not as good as six, had they run or caught in in the end zone. If not close enough for a kick, or a player to run it in, a punter comes on and returns it to the other team. Offense is whomever has the ball - defense is trying to keep them from scoring.

After a touchdown, they get a bonus kick. The kicker kicks it through the goal posts to give them one extra point. Or the team may run the ball in for two points. The kick is called the point-after, making the touchdown seven points. If they decide the bonus is to be run in instead, it gives them eight points!

Trying to access the end zone, penalties occur. That’s why they have so many referees. The white cap gets the last “say.” He is the referee and the helpers are called judges.

Families who play together - stay together. Believe that! Joyce Courser Greenacres