SPORTS SHORT TAKES

Sports entail things that intrigue a fan who knows little of the fine points of the various games.

In no particular order:

Why does a trainer shield his lips as he speaks to a fallen college footballer? Is someone on the opposing bench assigned to watching TV to discern what may be wrong with injured players on the other team? Maybe. Pitcher mound conferences are notorious for covered mouths.

Why were quite a few season-opening college football games played in neutral cities, such as Dallas, Atlanta, Dublin? Participants were big time schools, not Sleepy Hollow State and the like. Money probably answers the question.

Velcro on the batting gloves of Major League Baseball players must be lousy. Batters seem to readjust those wrist bands almost after every swing or called ball. The other day, one player loosed and tightened just before stepping into the box. It seems that as late as the fifties, ball players batted bareheaded and did not put helmets on their heads. Safety from bean balls, that’s understandable. But do gloves really give better grips? No more do batters stoop and rub dirt on their hands and handle.

Are tattoos and facial hair on pro and amateur athletes more prevalent this year than in the past? Clean cut is no longer the look for our heroes.

How come college quarterbacks must operate with hand signals from the sidelines and pros can just listen to the radio receiver in his helmet? Rules, sure, but more and more seem to be taken from the player and put into the hands of the coaches. And what about those assistant coaches (only now and then a head coach) up high in the warm seats behind glass, running algorithms or whatever on their computers and relaying important tactics to the bench and the field.

Noticed for the first time the other day when in a big league ball yard that the umpires have to be fast on their feet, just like the players. The base umps run to get into position when flies and grounders and Texas leaguers (is that term still used?) come off the bat. No more out-of-shape officials. Suppose the plate umpire, the crew chief, has to be agile, too, for the umps do move around from game to game. Oh yes, does the plate umpire still carry a little whisk broom to keep home plate clean? And how bad do the lines marking the batter’s boxes have to get before they are re-chalked (or is some space­-age paint used)?

Why are the profiles of golfers seen in TV long shots so easily identifiable to fans? Got to be that body language speaks pretty loudly. Swings certainly are recognizable.

People who can’t stand sticky hands shouldn’t be pitchers. Those resin bags have got to feel like honey.

Ball players must have a choice between long pants and stockings. Suppose it makes no difference if uniforms are not uniform. Can’t remember whether players have a long-pants option when teams wear retro gear.

Basketball – can players maneuver just as well in those long shorts and loose fitting jerseys as they could in the short shorts era? Is the longer version just for style? B-ball players don’t seem to have a choice in uniform styles as do baseball players.