Maps, Logistics & Baseball: A CoachJeff Trifecta

If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know there are certain topics that seem to come up again and again.

Baseball, of course. But also maps, travel, geography, lists, and transportation also make the Top 10 list. If #CoachJeff had not pursued a college major in communications, I could easily have seen myself doing well in logistics. 

Anyway, all that to say, when I re-discovered the baseball fandom maps I mentioned last week, I knew I was in trouble. It's easy for me to lose myself for hours on a website like that.

A reminder: In last Thursday's edition–Dodger Blue–I wondered aloud about Dodger fans in East Tennessee. That thought prompted a search of my internet bookmarks until I found the NY Times map of MLB Fandom.

On this map, you can drill down to the very zip code. And the map lists the Top Three MLB teams in the area. The Times calls it "A Map of Baseball Nation."

The maps were created using estimates of team support based on how many Facebook users “liked” each team in a ZIP code. The Times curated the data to create the finished product.

When I took my deeper dive that I promised last week, I spent time looking at some interesting factors. 

For instance, there are vast swaths (think midwest and west) in which one team dominates. The Minnesota Twins, the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks all have huge geographic fanbases that stretch across numerous large states. 

I was also fascinated to see how large the fanbase is/was for the San Francisco Giants. Not only do the Giants dominate the Bay Area and Northern California in general, the geographic presence extends into middle California and into areas of Nevada, too. And Hawaii is also Giants territory.

Or was. That is when I found the fine print. The map was generated in 2014 - the heyday of Giant domination. The Giants won the World Series, you might recall, in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

But before I felt comfortable writing today's piece, I had to go see if there was a more recent map and, indeed, there is. It is generated by VividSeats.com and, as the name suggests, is based on MLB ticket sales. The map was created last year.

And, now, in the era of Dodger domination, LA is the team of choice in Hawaii.  Don't worry if you are a Giants fan, your geographic area is still huge as you can see.

For those of us in Braves Country, the map also confirmed what I hoped was true. The Braves own the region. Check out all that night midnight blue in the Southeast.

                          (Southeast section from VividSeats map)

And, as we'd expect, there is a Braves-Cardinals fandom line in TN (timely, considering they faced off last weekend). It exists just west of Nashville. There is a similar Reds-Cardinals line to the north in Kentucky. 

Another thought that came to mind...what of the two team cities?

As you might suspect, the Yankees dominate their market. They only cede Long Island counties to the Mets.

In a like manner, the Angels are only most popular in Orange County, CA. The surrounding area, like the cap in my story, is Dodger Blue. And in Chicagoland, there are only three counties that belong to the White Sox. As you'd imagine, they are the ones that touch the South Side. All others in the area are Cubs Country.

One last thought before I turn you loose to explore the maps for yourselves...I wonder what drives some of the random fan affiliation? Maybe some of you know the answers. If you're so inclined, check out the maps for yourself.

Meanwhile, I wonder, why:

Davis County, IA -- surrounded by Cubs, Royals and Cardinals fandom -- goes for the Colorado Rockies

Graham County, KS -- is Miami Marlins turf

Greene County, NC -- is San Diego Padres country

There are many more similar anomalies. Check them out.

You will note that, beyond the Southeast, there are patches of Braves Country scattered throughout our nation. And in fact, I've met many people from around the U.S. who are Braves fans. Much of it dates to the days when their games were broadcast on Superstation TBS during the vast expansion of cable television. 

So, from Wright County, MO to Prince George County, VA to Antelope County, NE you can find Braves fans. When we were at Fenway Park in May, there were numerous Braves fans in attendance as you can see behind the visitors' dugout. 

When you think of the coverage of the Superstation back in those days, its no wonder.

According to VividSeats, the Atlanta Braves are the MLB team favored in the highest number of counties across the nation. Clearly, the Superstation effect is real.

I'm acquainted with a devoted Braves fan in Muscogee County, GA and friends with one in Orange County, NC.  I know a Braves fan who hails from Sioux County, IA and another who lives in Suffolk, VA.

And of course, there are plenty right here in East TN.

JG

Dodger Blue

Yesterday, when I took my daily walk at a near-by park, I found a Los Angeles Dodgers ballcap on one of the park benches.

As I circled the track, my mind investigated a number of scenarios for how it might've been left at the park.

But before I get there, a confession. I'm not a big fan of the big-spender Los Angeles Dodgers.  In fact, I tend to root against these mega teams that have endless supplies of cash–and the Dodgers have taken that to new levels in recent years–and also receive endless fawning coverage from the elite national media. 

I think these big pocket books and prominent coverage tend to capture the casual fan.

Some years ago, for instance, a young man was listing his favorite sports teams to me. "New York Yankees. Duke Blue Devils college basketball, New England Patriots (during the Tom Brady years)..." I sneered, somewhat, and asked "Why don't you add the Los Angeles Lakers so you can have a complete set?"

He chuckled, and shook his head, somewhat sheepishly, as if to say "Yes, I know...frontrunner..."

Some years ago, I saw on one of those fan coverage maps that the New York Yankees were the third most popular team in Memphis, my old neck of the woods, behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. Two out of three, I get. But why else in the Deep South would fans flock to a ball club so closely aligned with the big cities of the northeast?

I just re-visited the map and found that in the zip code where my grandfather's farm was located–and where my dad grew up and I once lived–the Yankees have leapfrogged the Cardinals. The Braves aren't even listed. The Red Sox–another elite, northeastern team–is now listed as the third most popular team.

By the way, if you are a map geek like me and want to burn a few hours of quality time, click here for the map. It's a fascinating look state by state, county by county and, yes, down to the zip code.

My theory, and this comes back to the conversation with the young man mentioned previously, is if you don't have a distinct rooting interest (like my friend, Tim, a reader of the blog, a midwesterner and devout Chicago Cubs fan), the casual fan will jump on the frontrunner train. It's true in western Tennessee, western Nebraska and even Key West, Florida. I'm sure there are exceptions, of course.

Programming note: I am going to peruse this updated map in more detail over the weekend. Look for a #CoachJeff post on the MLB Fandom Map next week.

I'll never forget my experience last summer with Holly and Paul when fans of the Bronx Bombers invaded Truist Park. The youthful fan sitting right next to me, with a syrypy sweet tea Southern accent, rooted for the Yankees with all his heart...just before he and the Mrs. drove back to Alpharetta (not Alphaville).

Front runners - most of 'em!

Which brings me back to the cap I found at the park yesterday and the questions that came to mind as I circled the track:

1. Why would someone leave such a nice, albeit slightly worn, cap there?
2. What would bring someone wearing Dodger Blue to my park in Farragut, Tennessee.

The Dodgers have surely become the beast of the league, with an unlimited payroll and the ability, it seems, to defer contracts out until the tricentennial. Maybe this fan is swooped up in Shoheimania. Or perhaps a Freddie Freeman fan who switched allegiances when the Dodgers plucked our former captain from the Braves roster four years ago?

Maybe she/he is a displaced Brooklynite or a SoCal expat. I doubt I will ever know the answer. 

In the meantime, if the person left the cap as a shrine to the Bums–Dodger greats of the past, it is a lovely tribute.

But, if the person just misplaced their lid, it's on the park bench near the water's edge.

JG

Analytics

It has been several years since I coached my last game for the Concord Choppers. And in the years since the final out was recorded. I've often thought about changes in the game over the last two decades.

In the age of analytics, I wonder how I might have fared. 

Some of my pre-game and post-game speeches to the ball club might seem woefully outdated by modern standards.

The teachings of me and my fellow coaches focused on simple principles:

For Pitchers:

• Spot your fastball and work off it
• Stay simple and consistent with your mechanics
• Trust your catcher

For Fielders:

• Keep your mind focused 
• Anticipate what you might do if the ball is hit to you before the pitch
• Trust the fundamentals and keep yourself in good fielding position

For Hitters:

• Don't try to do too much
• Take what the pitcher is giving you
• Chop the ball

In some ways, the "chopping" act played a part in the naming of the team. That and, well, everyone loves some good alliteration!

But that chopping point is, really, the focus of my thinking today. Recently, I've been thinking about how much coaching the game has changed in 20 years.

Our hitting philosophy worked on basic physics. By chopping down on the ball when you struck it, you'd create backspin which would, in turn, create loft. And truly, the Choppers hit many home runs and extra base hits during their run of success.

But now, in the age of the three true outcomes (home run, strike out, walk). I'm afraid our teaching wouldn't (ahem) fly. We taught our guys NOT to swing upward. Now, that approach is in vogue.

FIP. BABIP. WAR. Bleh.

I'm not making light of the terms, as they are key elements of the modern game which I love so much. But in our coaching era, they would have been nothing more than alphabet soup. Truly, the evolution was probably already underway behind the scenes while we were coaching as the "Moneyball" era took hold but hadn't trickled down to our level.

But by the mid 20-teens, long after the Choppers left the dugout, baseball analytics became the rage everywhere. And indeed, you can't watch a broadcast today without such elements as launch angle, exit velocity and expected outcome. 

"Max effort" was something we taught our pitchers NOT to do. Now, it is the only way to consistently hit 100 MPH on the radar gun. And maybe it is why there are so many arm injuries for young hurlers. 

I suppose all sports have evolved. The hurry-up offense, in football, used to be a late game tactic when time was running out. Now, it can be featured the entire game (and often is). Basketball used to exist without the three point line. These days, the game is built around it.

So, it isn't shocking that our grand game would also modernize.

Still, I'd like to think that some of the basics we used to teach still resonate. Be on time. Hustle. Respect the game.

Those are winning principles in any era in my book.

JG

Inside the Ham Shack

The old idea of an amateur radio station being located in a small structure thrown together out back is about  as outdated as the notion of passing a code test in order to get your license. 

(Man, sometimes, I wish the code test was still required...).

In modern times, actually, many hams have put together carefully curated rooms full of rigs, accessories and gadgets. Some of these facilities are highly stylized.

My friend Ed's, for instance, is amazing.

Going inside the ham shack of K4KYN...not so much. Carved out of a corner of a bonus room that once served as a teenager sleepover haven, the K4 corner is a few inches away from where the air hockey table once rested. Or was it the pool table?

These days, in the down-downstairs of our home, there are two storage areas, various shelves, an old-style entertainment center and a comfy couch we've owned for years. In other words, the room is anything but carefully curated.

In the only part of the room where a desk could be placed, I set up a home office for use during COVID when we were all working from home. It was during the same era that I got back into the ham radio hobby and began setting up the K4KYN station.

When I first got back on the air and I posted the first picture of my "shack" on my bio page, a seasoned ham teased me that it was the neatest ham radio desk he had ever seen.

Of course, the truth is, I was just getting started. There was barely anything on the desk.

Over the course of nearly five years, I have added a few awards, a big screen monitor (and a shelf to house it) and several files and QSL cards. These days, the K4KYN ham shack now has a "lived in" look that would probably impress the selfsame veteran ham.

Recently, I added a new accessory to the ham shack. Hanging on the wall behind my rig—and just below the old K4KYN license plate that I told you about recently—is a cross stitch done by my sister. She gave it to me recently.  

When we think of our dad and things he did while we were growing up, ham radio played a big role. Thus, it is a connection for both of us to our childhood.

So, in the past five years since I returned to the hobby, I have occasionally given her updates on my activities. A couple years ago, during the holidays, I gave her and her daughters a tour of the shack. During that tour, I found a cache of my dad's old QSL cards and I gave one to her for a keepsake.

And I think in that moment she got the idea to produce this nice little accent piece.

Fast-forward a few years. The artwork now has a very prominent place on the wall. I'll see it whenever I'm operating the station. 

And when I do, I'll smile and be appreciative of this very thoughtful gift.

JG

America 250 Redux

Today: One last #CoachJeff post on America250 as we look back at the holiday weekend.

Our's was a fun and relaxing celebration and I hope the same is true for you.

Things we did to celebrate:

• Watched a lot of FIFA World Cup action.
• Also watched a little Braves baseball.
• Hosted extended family for a backyard barbecue with all the fixins'.

Things we didn't do:

• Attend the local parade. It was a bit too hot for the home folks.
• Attend a fireworks exhibition. Everyone was enjoying the family gathering so much the time got a way from us.
• Set off fireworks on our own. It is illegal to do so in our county. Some neighbors didn't get that memo, however.

Not to worry. It was a very nice 4th of July despite a few booms.

Lots of laughter and energy from my kids and their cousins. My mother soaking it all up. My sister and I having a nice sidebar conversation. Lisa playing the role of genteel hostess and doting aunt.

It was one for the books. 

I did slip outside for an early morning walk and prayer time. And, yes, that was me out in the front yard pausing to salute the flag. I told you last week I am a nerd when it comes to such things.

As for the day, the burgers were tasty, the company was great and the home team won.

A perfect holiday recipe!

JG

America 250

One of my goals with #CoachJeff's blog is to stay away from controversial topics. My theory is that if you are online to read political content, for instance, there are many more qualified people writing on the topic. 

So, today is probably about as close as #CoachJeff will get to being political. Cuz, you see, July 4th is coming up–America 250–and some folks aren't very enthusiastic about the date. I am.

This morning, I unfurled my flag and I am proud to display it. 

After all these years, I still believe in the Shining City on the Hill from scripture that President Reagan so richly described 40 years ago. 

When I attended my niece's dance recital last month, I felt my heart beat just a little bit stronger as we heard all of the patriotic standards played during the performance. When I was at the Braves game with my friend Dave two weeks ago, I heard singer Timothy Miller (#tenorlion) deliver a stunning rendition of "God Bless America, " my eyes welled.

Maybe I am just a nerd when it comes to such things. Perhaps it comes from my unbringing as a part of a small generation sandwiched between our older, former hippie cousins and the cynical youngsters who followed us. We were raised to be patriotic. And I guess I never lost that ferver.

I won't lie: One of the most stirring moments I've experienced was being in the crowd at the 1996 Olympics, watching "The Dream Team" play and joining in as the fans chanted "USA. USA."

If you are like me and you're looking forward to this July 4th, my advice to you is go all out. Really lean into the holiday. If you're old enough: remember how we celebrated the Bicentennial 50 years ago and do it again for #250. And if you are younger, there are lots of videos online that will give you the highlights.

If, on the other hand, you are on the other side of this issue, and you're not excited about America 250, I hope you can find some joy in the upcoming weekend. 

Enjoy a concert in the park, a waterfront fireworks display at dusk, a creamy bowl of homemade ice cream or a juicy melon at a backyard barbecue.

Have fun.

• And if you don't want to do something July 4theseque, there are many great ways to enjoy this weekend. Dinner out with friends. 
• Watch a ballgame. 
• Attend a play, concert or movie. 
• Binge watch that show you've been talking about for months.

Or get behind this scrappy U.S. men's soccer team that just advanced to the Round of 16 last night with a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina! They play again Monday night.

My advice, whatever your choice, do something relaxing and enjoyable!

Monday will come soon enough and we can all go back to the grind. But for one nice weekend in early July, let's all make it a good one.

Do it for #America250. Or just for yourself.

JG

Baseball in Canada

I've always been taken with the fact that our country's birthday, as well as those of our friends and allies France and Canada, all take place in this month.

What is it about July? Maybe it's the heat. 

In any case, as we prepare to mark the occasion of America 250, our neighbors to the north are celebrating their day, today.

So, I wish our friends a hearty Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day celebrates the anniversary of the day when Nova Scotia and New Brunswick joined with the United Province of Canada (Ontario and Quebec) to form a single union. It is generally regarded as Canada's birthday.

Maybe some day I can do a deeper dive on this topic. Or share my own experiences from past visits to Canada (including two on Canada Day).

But, ostensibly, I've set aside Wednesday as sports day (or baseball day). So, how to combine the two topics - Baseball in Canada?

I've got a few ideas:

The Spreadsheet
First, we'll go to #CoachJeff's master spreadsheet listing all the baseball games I've attended. 
• I've seen the Toronto Blue Jays play an impressive 8 times (most of any A.L. club)
• Believe it or not, I also saw the Montreal Expos play twice (before they moved and became the Washington Nationals)

On Va Aux Expos
In 1996, we actually had the opportunity to travel to Montreal and see an Expos game on mine and Lisa's 10th anniversary.

Here are pics of me and two youngsters (Holly and Paul) inside Olympic Stadium in Montreal. And, outside Olympic Stadium, Holly strikes a pose. 

Canada Day in Toronto
When I kicked off my 30 Stadiums quest, we were in Toronto. We saw the Blue Jays play the Mets the day before Canada Day. 

Then, on Canada Day itself, a young Holly looks down on the action in Rogers Centre from high above in the CN Tower.

Interestingly, the Mets are in Toronto again this year and will play in the same Canada Day match-up later this afternoon.

I can imagine the Blue Jays in their Red Canada Day unies and a sea of red and white in the crowd. And, of course, tons of national pride as they sing the national anthem, O Canada.

Here's wishing our friends a special day.

 JG