Culture & Religion — April 2, 2010

Playing Defense

Some of the most innovative baseball teams have rebuilt their teams this year around an ascendant strategy that defense is the key to victory. But can nifty glovework please homer-hungry fans?

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Some of the most innovative baseball teams have rebuilt their teams this year around an ascendant strategy that defense is the key to victory. It’s not a new idea, but “it’s the first teambuilding idea in some time to be embraced by all three of the sport’s strongest constituencies — the statisticians, the scouts and the bean counters.” But after decades of rooting for bulky power hitters swatting home runs, will fans really come out to the ballpark to watch nifty glovework?

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