User Blog - Erin

The inaugural post of Playing the Field, a new blog written by women who actually know what they're talking about and don't need to strip down to say it. Not that you'd mind it if they did.

Ten years ago, if you had a talent like Batting Stance Guy, a god-given gift that entertained and impressed your friends, you'd be called upon to perform at summer barbeques and during commercial breaks for big games. Heck, even two years ago, the most you could hope for was to end up a one-hit wonder.

Now, though, the time is right for Batting Stance Guy. In the last few weeks his videos, which he and his friends first started posting a year ago, have caught on big with sports bloggers and even Bill Simmons. Fortunately for us, Batting Stance Guy took a break from his rising internet stardom to do a Q&A. Here are the results — feel free to hit him up in the comments with your questions and autograph requests.

So ... you watch much baseball?

Enough to know who Shooty Babbitt and Blake DeWitt are.

How did you get started doing the impressions?

My family has told me I used to crouch over with a tiny bat, Pete Rose Phillies pajamas/costume and fake chaw in my mouth when I was 7. Prolly there.

What made you decide to post them to YouTube?

A Yankees fan friend videoed me last year and posted it. Then one month ago, same thing with a Red Sox fan/buddy.

Describe the process for developing an impression.

I generally focus on one trait: McGwire's jaw, Klesko's uncertainty, Sheffield's chaw, Jeter's eyelids, Ivan Calderon's unbuttoned jersey and subsequent chesthair and heighten that. Not simply focus on the bat/arms/legs.

Is watching a baseball game different for you now? Can you just enjoy the game or are you looking for every foot twitch and groin adjustment?

This past month I have watched more intentionally for the quirks. However, I don't have any of their quirks written down. I either know Ryan Braun does that strange jersey/pants adjustment or I don't.

Have you ever been recognized from one of your videos?

Only from old friends from school after reading the SportsGuy's Page 2 column. Not in public.

Which player is the easiest to imitate?

Jack and Will Clark. So much there.

Are there any that you haven't been able to get right?

Paul O'Neill and Carlos Delgado took more work than normal.

What did you do before you became a theoretical internet millionaire?

Wait, am I supposed to be doing more than this? Ok, well then attempting to see a home game of every team in every stadium. Houston two summers ago finished that goal.

Congratulations! How long did that take, and which park was your favorite? And which stadium, in your estimation, is the worst place to see a major league game?

30 years. Lots of roadtrips. An incredibly disappointing rainout in Three Rivers Stadium was the lowlight because it only counts if they play the entire game (when am I gonna be back in Pittsburgh, I lamented). Fenway and Wrigley are fantastic for overall experience. Call me a fool but I really liked the Royals stadium. Seeing the freeway, a hotel and hills reminded me of a Little League field. Come to think of it, the crowd was about the same size. Hmmm. San Fran Giants play in a work of art. God bless the Expos and Rays but both Domes seemed dreary.

Are you available for birthday parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs?

Never been asked that. I'd have to do some serious research if I was hired for a Tampa Bay Ray influenced bar mitzvah (gulp).

Who wins in a fight between Batting Stance Guy and Star Wars Kid? How about if you aren't allowed to use your weapons?

Light sabers always trump a wiffle bat and 3 Topps' Razor Shines cards. No weapons? Hmmm, the charisma of Lando Calrissian outshines any ballplayer. Star Wars Kid wins.

Is there any truth to the rumor that 2K Sports will be using you to model hitters for MLB 2K9?

Wow! I truly never considered making money off these imitations. That would be awesome.

I've always felt that today's little league coaches spend too much time teaching kids how to throw, catch, and hit--at the expense of working on a distinctive batting stance. What do you think?

What 8 year old kid wouldn't benefit from crouching into Jeff Bagwell's crouch fresh with hands literally in the strikezone. Gold.

Could I request Pops Stargell for a future video?

We start most videos around 1980- so you are cutting it close for the Pirates video. Will he beat out Spanky Lavalliere? Stay tuned.

And finally - about the change in facial hair (appears now to be close to handlebar mustache unless my video resolution sucks) over the course of your videos... Coincidence, or is a complete physical transformation inevitable given the level of dedication?

Brushing up on my Cards I watched the '82 WS Game 7. It appears they strapped on those staches in the dugout before each game cuz eeeeeeverybody had them. The 82 Brewers looked like 24 Eckerslys and a Molitor. It goes well with my train conductor flat top Pirates hat. Officially: beard in Cards video for Ocquendo. Nasty Handlebar in honor of Piazza and Gibby. Gotta get clean shaven for the Reds and Indians.

Thanks again to Batting Stance Guy for spending some quality time with us. Be sure to check out all of his videos on the BattingStanceGuy's YouTube channel.

Pick the winner of each game and answer other questions related to the Finals, and you could win an autographed Zach Parise jersey from Versus.

First all, the Honda Element is the shittiest looking vehicle to have ever vehicled. But I mean, having it yellow does add a little something to it… like as if they were paying tribute to the Beatles. However, on the flip side, the Nuggets soft XBOX approved video gamey chair is just what’s needed when the team gets swept and homers need something to do.

Basketball fans, welcome to the most anticipated postseason in years. Despite the absence of last year’s Cinderella team, the 2008 NBA playoffs figure to be a shootout, especially in the Western Conference, where nearly every team has a realistic shot at the Finals. With such a wide open race, we’re excited to re-launch our 2008 NBA Playoffs Pick’em Bracket!

With six seconds left to play in the game, Lebron James hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 101, but six seconds was just enough time for Deron Williams to take the ball the length of the court and score a layup with 1.3 seconds left. A half-court heave by Cleavland was way off as the Utah Jazz defeated the Cleavland Cavaliers 103-101 Wednesday night in Salt Lake City. Utah was led by Paul ...

In what was hyped as the biggest NFL regular-season game ever, the Patriots stayed on course for an unbeaten season as Brady threw two of his three touchdown passes in a four-minute span of the fourth quarter Sunday to overcome a 10-point deficit and beat Super Bowl champion Indianapolis, 24-20.

If you weren’t out and about on the West Bank this past Saturday, you might not know there was what appeared to be a zombie pub crawl going on. Hundreds of people — seriously — were dressed as corpses. Some were sexy corpses. Other were plain old corpses. And one — at least — was a Zombie Joe Mauer. Kudos to Diddy for snapping that picture. The key question now: How does Zombie Mauer seem ...

Our readers have been emailing all summer waiting for this post. They knew that here at Ladies…, not only were we going to find the best looking guys on the team, but we were going make sure to serve it up with something a little special. Well, how about a couple helpings of something special? In a Ladies… first, an interview with Detroit center fielder and fellow blogger, Curtis Granderson.

Barry Bonds blasts ball-buyer's blatant bashing of broken benchmark.

If you're making game picks for more than 2 days straight, please take a break.

Audio recording of the alleged armed robbery by OJ and friends.

Some of the bloggers in today’s roundtable write with collectives and others remain independent. Some lust after athletes and others keep a cool head. Each one has a distinctive style, but these ladies all share one thing in common: they know sports. Seriously, probably more than you do. But don’t feel threatened – they’re friendly, don’t care that you’re a guy (unless you’re really hot), and are as equally willing to talk about celebrities and the athletes who date them as they are about tonight’s lineup.

Given my highly scientific conclusion that only 5% of sports bloggers are women, one might assume it was difficult to fill the seats for this roundtable. On the contrary, there are so many excellent ones that it was harder deciding who not to invite. In the end, we put in some extensions (the table, not hair) and managed to rustle up chairs for seven of your favorite online personalities:

• Clare, Ladies…
• Head Chick in Charge (HCIC), Leave the Man Alone
• Miss Gossip, FanHouse, SunsGossip (R.I.P.)
• Natalie, Need4Sheed
• Sarah (sportsgirl365), Strikezone and Endzones, The Huffington Post, Babes Love Baseball, Epic Carnival
• Sooze, Babes Love Baseball
• Melissa (Texas Gal), Ladies…, Epic Carnival, Center Field

Read on for parental reactions, a catfight over semantics, tips for getting along with the guys of blogfrica, and hot blogger confessions.

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Erin: Who was the first person you told that you were going to start a sports blog and what was the reaction?

Sarah: Actually, the first person I told was Will (Deadspin). I work in sports during the day, so I had worked with him on some stuff before. I sent him my first post as an FYI and he ended up linking to it. I hadn't even set up a site tracker yet, but all of a sudden I started getting emails letting me know people were commenting on my post.

I had no problem telling my friends - or anyone else for that matter - about the blog. My best friend makes fun of me because she says when I introduce myself to people, I'm like "Hi, I'm Sarah. You should read my blog."

Clare: For a while, I didn't tell any of my – hmm, how do I say this politely? – in-person friends that I was going into the sportswriting biz with a bunch of women I only knew by their comments on a sports blog. I think I told my friend Shannon first because we've been through a lot together and she's always been incredibly supportive. Boy, does that sound ####. I recall her reaction was one of surprise. Now, 6+ months on, my friends know about Ladies..., but I still haven't told my family, and I don't think I ever will.

I should clarify that I held off on telling my in-person friends because they know me as someone who's more hipstery than sporty.

Erin: It’s amazing to me that you all got together to do Ladies... without ever having met, let alone not having grown up together. It really reads like you guys have known each other for years. Have you had a Ladies summit since you launched?

Clare: I've gotten together with Andrea, Metschick and Texas Gal in person, and I know Holly, J-Money and The Starter Wife have hung out. Poor SA is in flyover country. We'll have to visit her.

Texas Gal: My sports-minded pals are all familiar with Deadspin and other sports blogs, so when the Ladies... spun off and started our own little party, they were the first ones I told. They were all pretty jazzed.

I held off on telling my parents (since Ladies... isn't your typical sports blog, and isn't necessarily written with the parental target audience in mind), but ended up spilling the beans when I wrote a piece for Father's Day about my dad and me and our love of sports. My dad commented on that one post, but hasn't since. He's never said, but I think he's trying to respect my space – which I am grateful for. I don't need my dad around when I'm trying to ogle athletes.

I've never told my parents about Center Field, however – that's just mine. Though it wouldn't take but about 3 seconds for them to find it... and I suppose I wouldn't mind.

Natalie: Funny thing was I didn't really start the blog to blog if that makes any sense. I started it as a bit of a joke for out of town friends to keep up with The Pistons. So when I did mention it to my best friend that I was doing a Pistons blog she looked at me like I was on drugs and promptly told me that I wasn't 12.

Now I don't really talk much about it, it’s usually my friends that bring it up now. At least they don't think I am crazy anymore.

HCIC: The blog remains my private venue of expression. In fact, if I had more non virtual friends who shared my voracious interest in sports (Can we talk about Terrell Owens for 5 more minutes? Please?), I probably would have never started the blog. Also, I sometimes blog from work. So, I lay low to avoid issues.

Sooze: My blog is no secret. The first person I told was my dad and he goes, "What the hell is a blog? Do your homework."

Once, my town's newspaper did an article about it and even my mailman was like, "Hey! You're the girl who likes baseball!"...like I was some sort of alien. The general reaction is very positive and supportive, though.

Natalie: "Hey! You're the girl who likes baseball!"... Gotta love it. I actually get recognized at Pistons games...."hey you’re need4sheed right?" Weird.

Erin: I was trying to come up with a tidy category to put you all into and had a tough time. So I thought I’d ask – what do you think is the best term for female sports bloggers as a group?

    a. Female sports bloggers

    b. Chick sports bloggers

    c. Girl sports bloggers

    d. Women sports bloggers

    e. Other _____

Miss Gossip: My preference is "lady bloggers." With a nod to the ladies of "Ladies..."!

Sooze: I'm with the Miss. "Lady blogger" is a classy title, even if at times, I can be completely crass.

Sarah: Seriously? How about just sports bloggers? We don't refer to our male counterparts as "male sports bloggers".

But, you know. I'm all for "Female Sports Bloggers" if we have to label it. Or Bloggers With Pussies. Wait, can I say pussy on this site?

Erin: Ha - I wouldn't post a photo of one, but yeah, you can pretty much say what you want. Agree, qualifying "sports bloggers" with "female" does set the movement back a bit, which is why I was having a hard time with it. But there are so few women who blog about sports that the ones who do stand out. Good, bad, fair? Up for debate.

Miss Gossip: I can draw a cartoon?

Erin: It would make it into the director’s cut.

Sarah: I guess it's not about a "movement" and I've been told by my loving boyfriend that I have a chip on my shoulder about being a female sportsblogger – namely that it's so "original" that I'm female.

I just like to think that our credibility goes beyond the fact that we're female. While there are so few of us, it's not enough just to blog about sports. We have to be good at it, which is rare for both male and female sports bloggers.

Clare: How about "awesome"?

I generally refer to the other Ladies... as "the women I write with." "Chick" is a bit pejorative, "female" makes it sound like we only blog about the WNBA and Title IX, and "girl" comes off condescending, like we should be patted on the head for knowing what a 4-6-3 double play is or something.

HCIC: Ehhh.... I'm not that picky. Anything is appropriate in the right context. "Lady" sounds classy, but "chick" is in my pseudonym. I'm proud to be a female blogger, so I don't have a problem being singled out. In fact, I hope you feel an even deeper sense of shame when I outperform you.

Natalie: How about the Best of the Sexes?

Erin: In what ways, if any, does gender consciously vs. subconsciously inform what you do on your blog?

Clare: I think myself and the other ladies embrace the fact that hot guys inform our writing. They're our raison d'etre! (We do, on occasion, try to keep it substantive.)

Sarah: If I changed my blogname and made it gender neutral, I seriously doubt anyone would know a female was behind the writing. That's part of why I started the blog. I had opinions and thoughts that I didn't see being expressed by anyone, let alone women. My writings and rants are so far outside the typical female tone that I don't think it consciously affects the blog.

As far as the subconscious I wouldn't know. If I did, it would be conscious.

Sooze: I would totally be lying if I said that my writing isn't affected by my attraction to hot, lumber-swinging ballplayers. I'm a sucker for the fastball, changeups make me sweat and yes – chicks do dig the longball.

Miss Gossip: Agree with Sooze (though replace all the baseball stuff with basketball-related innuendo).

I also feel extra-sensitive whenever I post about women's sports, like I need to be a booster. The WNBA doesn't get much love from the guys, so I try to sneak it in at the NBA FanHouse every once in a while (there is no WNBA section there, sadly). And if I mention physical looks (like I did in "Lovely Ladies of the WNBA") I feel guilty – like I'm taking away from women's athletic accomplishments, for which they already have enough trouble getting recognition.

HCIC: I do a regular fashion round up of what athletes and sports analysts are wearing, so that pretty much lets you know I'm a girl right there. I also probably post more gossip than what is necessary.

Natalie: Sadly now that I think of it I subconsciously try not to have the site labeled as one written by a chick. Most of the time when people actually find out that I am female they are surprised.

Like Miss Gossip I also try to shoot the WNBA some love even though I don't really watch that often.

Clare: [raises hand]

I have to tell you, I didn't know until we got together for this round table that Need4Sheed is written by a woman. DURRRR.

Texas Gal: I write in different voices at different places – at Babes, I'm straight up news, at Ladies... I'm all about the hot guys, mixed with news-y bits, and at Center Field I just go crazy with whatever nonsense I feel like spouting off about – a mixture of the tenor of Babes and Ladies... I suppose.

Erin: Locker room humor, photos of half-naked chicks, declarations of “I would sleep with ___” (and not in those words)… What’s your approach to hanging out online with the guys?

Miss Gossip: 1. Post pictures of half-naked guys.

2. Take "I would totally do you" as the compliment it was intended to be.

3. Show some cleavage in your avatar and just roll with it.

HCIC: Say, "I'm a girl." Strangely enough, the guys just appear.

Sooze: Smile and act natural, just like mama said.

Natalie: Ultimately they are all out to see if we are the "Real Deal" but if you ask me we have the upper hand... (or breasts)

Sarah: I grew up as one of the guys and it's not much different in the online world. Natalie is right when she says that usually the guys respect it when they realize we're the "Real Deal" and actually know our stuff. Although, you girls are also right when you say having breasts helps. I was proud [to] think I won the KSK Fantasy Football pool because I was the best applicant who knew her shit, but now I realize there might have been an ulterior motive.

Clare: I try to be upbeat, cheerful and polite to everybody. Being polite is a big deal. I try never to get sucked into trading insults (mean-spirited ones, anyway) with anybody, boys or girls.

All this goes out the window when the Phillies are losing. I am a holy terror when they're doing badly.

One other thing: I've found that nine out of ten dude posters are respectful and supportive, and have our backs if things get pear-shaped. But the tenth guy – who makes ad hominem attacks about how we look or how we can't possibly know what we're talking about because we're girls – always makes me scratch my head. Would he say that to my face if I saw him in person? Does he really think that his insult will be ignored by the other commenters?

Fortunately, it says more about the douchebag commenter than it does about us when stuff like that happens. I just wish it didn't.

Texas Gal: I've always believed that any guy who spouts off sexist nonsense is the same type of guy who would say women have no business in or around or even watching sports anyway. "How can she possibly understand sports? She's just a girl!" And I honestly couldn't get two shits about those guys' opinions.

Erin: The Ladies… had this epic discussion first amongst themselves and then with their readers about love, dating, and being a sports fan. To take it in a slightly different direction – how has sports blogging affected your personal relationships? Does it matter that you’re blogging about sports and not, say, celebrities?

Sarah: Well, I met my boyfriend through sports blogging so I guess you can say it's had a pretty big effect. But in my single days, it actually was a great way to stand out among other girls. You find that having a good conversation about sports with a girl is a huge turn on for guys.

Occasionally you run into a guy who's a little intimidated by it. But they are few and far between.

Clare: My family thinks my interest in sports is strange (they never knew me as someone who was into sports either), and they don't know about the blog, so that point's moot, isn't it?

I don't have a boyfriend, so having a sports blog doesn't really affect my relationship with him, either.

Miss Gossip: Luckily for me, my fiance is a sports blogger, so it's all gravy. (Enrico from The 700 Level and FanHouse.)

Sooze: Blogging about sports has probably enhanced my personal relationships. I'm sure many of my friends have uttered a great sigh of relief that I have an outlet and can finally shut up about Boof Bonser lowering his ERA at Easter dinner.

Natalie: I have to agree with Sarah in that I find many guys to be a bit intimidated by it. It even went as far as them trying to spout all of their knowledge at me to show that they knew more than I did. After they get to know me they just come to me to talk sports so I guess it all evens out.

My current man gets a big kick out of the whole blog thing and constantly reminds me as would Ron Burgundy that "I'm kind of a big deal."

Sarah: I've gotten that too. There have been times when a guy whips out the random stats to prove he's a man. It actually just makes them look silly.

Natalie: Silly boys.

Erin: This one’s for the guys: Are there any bloggers, male or female, that you fantasize about?

Miss Gossip: one two three four fizzifth!

Sooze: Yes.

Natalie: Well now that's all I am going to think about.... must ponder for a while.

Sarah: Oh man. Can I really answer this without getting in trouble? I think everyone knows which sports blogger is at the top of my fantasy list.

Erin: Ok, that question wasn't worded properly... Who are your blogger crushes and what about them makes your keyboard go pitter patter?

Miss Gossip: one two three four fizzifth!

Erin: I now have more sympathy for Alex Trebek.

Miss Gossip: one twoeightnine three four fizzifth... also, this is no secret: Jamie Mottram is so hot.

HCIC: Dare to dream? I think a guy blogging in his underwear in his parent's basement is totally out of my league. I'm not worthy.

Natalie: Well that's exactly who I'm looking for. I'm going to make that dream my reality.

Sarah: Seriously though, I think a guy who can write about sports and make me laugh at the same time is incredibly sexy. I love all of the KSK guys but anything Big Daddy Drew writes makes me want to do naughty things to him. He makes me laugh until I cry sometimes. Dan Shanoff is sexy because any man who dedicates a blog to his adorable son is ok with me. Also, Skeets has a sexy podcast voice that could read you bedtime stories.

Miss Gossip: Ummm..... surely you are mistaking Skeets for Tas...??!

Sarah: Nope.

Miss Gossip: Wow. Skeets is all yours. I'll take my bedtime stories from Mr. Melas, thank you...

(Tas, call me!)

Sooze: Was I supposed to get specific here? A simple "yes" didn't do? :) There are so many hot bloggers out there – I think the Ladies... pointed that out well with their bracket – so, just too many to choose. I'll leave it at that. :)

Texas Gal: I have to agree – a guy with a ton of sports knowledge and a sense of humor is a huge turn-on. One of the funniest guys out there is Orson Swindle at EDSBS, who regularly makes me cry with laughter. The Dugout guys are the same – the whole mess of 'em always have me in stitches. And the breadth and depth of knowledge of guys like Ian at Sox & Dawgs and Peter at Burnt Orange Nation is nothing short of hot (admittedly, I am biased since they just so happen to know a ton about two of my favorite teams).

FD says Free AI.

Read it for the puffy shirt fotoshop, stay for Jeopardy.

A lot of times, when watching Bruce play defense, you’ll hear the announcer say something like, “Boy, Bruce Bowen is in [insert opposing shooting guard’s name here]’s shorts tonight.” Now, Bowen will really be getting in people’s shorts, as he and his wife are opening a clothing store.

"The upshot appears to be that people in Tokyo love stealing statues of Colonel Sanders after sporting events. Are we right? Please tell us we’re not crazy. Why did we not know more about this “Curse of the Colonel” before? And why can’t we ever spell colonel right on the first try?"

Being a partial season ticket holder this year, I've endured too many losses seemingly every Friday, Saturday and the occasional Sunday. It got me thinking... am I seeing my unfair share of losses, when compared to other days during the week? And do the A's play better on Saturday night 6:05 starts than 1:05 starts here in Oakland? So I broke out the Excel sheet. Could the results be ...

There's more to Jay Jay the FIBA mascot than just another blue Elmo look-alike.

Be forewarned, what you see below is a disturbing video of titanic proportions. It’s footage of an apparent 3 year old kid making 18 baskets in a row in what appears to be a garage.