The rubber game, the game of rubber - naturally.

Word, worldly origins: Both of which were pretty much, naturally, derived--derivatives. The former coming out a bit unexpectedly, via casual convo in the stands, while awaiting extra innings. Other-wise what's touted as "sports trivia" -- the sport within the sport. that real, true fans can't get enough of..."Did you know the true origins of the rubber game, or match, the one we're likely going to be invited back for, depending on the out-come of this one...?" Without much hesitation, buildup, or otherwise not even giving what, in b-ball, is considered proper time between pitches..."lawn bowling, of course, any true aficionado of this pastime should have this in his vast store of knowledge..." The latter, simply stated, from the rubber tree...Hevea brasiliensis may be more familiar among those familiar with scientific names of trees, shrubs, other natural foliage around the "Field of Dreams" (corn, not to be a spoiler, for the few out there who have yet to see it). As well as the 24 out of 32 metric tons produced in the US syn-thetically...

Covering all the bases, bases coverings: It's little wonder, that so much of this stuff has to be produced to assist the Hevea lifting, given that not only the bases are crafted from rubber, but add the pitcher's mound (at least the part in the middle referred to as the rubber, which the pitcher has to step on, off to according to strict rules), and the home plate as well...As if this wasn't enough strain on both the natural and more 'man-made' stuff, NOW in many ballparks, you can see it strewn about the whole yard, in the form of little granules that help to make up what's now touted even in minor leagues, as "Pro-turf" And don't forget about "watching the bouncing ball..." and finally, when there's the occasional call for yet one more game in a series, titled the "rubber game" well, you can imagine the stress and strain it puts on the old HB...

"JK, OK ?!" As in just teasing, all in good fun...wouldn't think of picking on a worn-out rubber tree, let alone "Pitcher's got a rubber arm, doo dah, doo dah!" A chant we were allowed to pitch from the dugout, but given the thin-skinned players of today...who seem to lack the "bounce back" otherwise known as resilience...

All wound up: "We're on a roll, just one more game to go..." OR "We better get rolling if we expect to stay around another round..." Familiar rubber postings, which come more naturally, depending on which team you find yourself on...