"Diamonds are a girls'..." 

Play area. Pure and simple. Or, simply put, "pitching softballs versus hardliners" Sounds like the basis for a great debate, eh? The one that has continued to rage, even after Billy Jean beat Bobby Riggs...out at the court. The so-called "Battle of the Sexes" turned out to be anything but, as in "game set, match...a clean sweep!" But here we are, once again, trying to compare "Apples to...Apples" as it turns out. As in trying to compare, more frequently contrast, who has it harder, whose game is more physically demanding, even a bit violent at times. After already covering the one that had its "ho-hum" opener last night, here comes the women, circling the bases, slapping thighs, I mean high fives, after almost every single...play. 

"Of all the underhanded..." Remarks that are made, back and forth, throwing barbs at one another, the key difference between the two games is found i

is how it leaves the pitcher's hand, and the general level of transparency, as it turns out (show me what you got!"). While it started due to being confined to a smaller space, it has continued to evolve and found to be more sustainable, due to its "accommodating nature" -- according to both the social and physical analytics, I reviewed to prep for this post. But the key difference for me, as to why I find it a more attractive game to watch, is the speed of the delivery. To be more specific and technical, the time it takes for the ball to be put in the pitcher's hand, and, after what simulates a windmill motion, as in "the forearm brushes the hip, the wrist snaps, and the ball is (finally) released". Sound like something gentle to you? As Tom Hanks cajoled them, baseball's not for sissies. Or something close to it. Speaking of close, the other distinctive difference I note, one that pulls me in, is the lack of milling around, the mound, between pitches. Which, if I am to believe the sampling of ladies I've asked, who have played the sport, is "Because we don't have time to mess around and have so many score so settle!" So much for being a "gentleman's game". Nothing gentle about it.