Hypothetical Sports Contest #2

[TimTimSalabim]

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MLB players are probably a bit shorter than most players on a HS basketball team, but probably have superior speed, strength, and stamina to begin with. They're professional athletes remember.

And I'd say that shooting accuracy is a bit eaiser to "pick up" than most baseball mechanics. Everyone shoots around a basketball on occasion - most people don't hit a batting cage for fun.

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It takes a long time to build up stamina to run up and down a basketball court for two hours, when you're not used to it. And though baseball players are pro athletes, that doesn't mean they are all fast and in top shape. Some are even far from it.

Also, shooting accuracy is mostly a natural talent. If it was a matter of practice, Shaq would be hitting 90% of his free throws by now.

[UMTerp]

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It takes a long time to build up stamina to run up and down a basketball court for two hours, when you're not used to it. And though baseball players are pro athletes, that doesn't mean they are all fast and in top shape. Some are even far from it.

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Agreed, but remember that only 6 or 7 guys from a 25-man MLB roster would need to compete. I don't think it would be difficult to find that many guys that would have the stamina to last through a single basketball game. Most outflelders are very good athletes, for example. Many (though not all) pitchers are too. The John Kruks of the world could sit this one out, whereas almost the entire roster from an NBA team would have to participate in the baseball game.

This is obviously anecdotal, but I know Cal Ripken has a basketball court in his house, and would routinely compete against D-1 type basketball players to stay in shape in the offseason. I'd imagine he's not the only one that does that type of thing.

[Pudge714]

Mark Hendrickson is the player who played in NBA and MLB.
Danny Ainge did this as well.
Tracy McGrady got drafted by the Yankees.

[UMTerp]

To add to the list, Dave Winfield was drafted in three sports I believe.

[TimTimSalabim]

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Agreed, but remember that only 6 or 7 guys from a 25-man MLB roster would need to compete. I don't think it would be difficult to find that many guys that would have the stamina to last through a single basketball game.

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6 or 7? Basketball teams have 10 or 12 players, for the very reason that no one has the stamina to last through a whole game.

[UMTerp]

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6 or 7? Basketball teams have 10 or 12 players, for the very reason that no one has the stamina to last through a whole game.

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Many teams have a 7-mean rotation, even up through the college level. And assuming we're playing a high school basketball game, I think there are only 8-minute quarters.

The 1997-98 UNC basketball team comes to mind. Here are their stats for the season: http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m...-98/stats.html

They were considered the best team in the country throughout most of that year, they play 40-minute games (as opposed to 32 in HS), and they only had 7 guys that played regularly. Their 8th man didn't even enter 11 of their games! Duke's teams are known for a notoriously short bench as well.

In a single-game setting, 7 players is more than enough, barring any foul trouble. But the MLB team has 25 guys anyway, so it's not even really an issue.

And many high school stars play all 32 minutes. Stamina isn't that big of an issue, with frequent stops in play and the ability to rest on the court from time to time.

[dragon14]

I'll go over the Miami Heat roster (last year's champion):

Earl Barron 7"0--Played basketball and tennis in HS
Baseball: No

Michael Doleac 6"11--Could find no mention of baseball in his career
Baseball:No

Udonis Haslem 6"8--no mention of baseball
Baseball:No

Robert Hite 6"2--no mention of baseball
Baseball:No

Jason Kapono 6"8--no mention of baseball
Baseball:No

Alonzo Mourning 6"10-no mention of baseball
Baseball:No

Shaq 7"1--a web site mentions that he played baseball around junior high and states "he did not excel"
Baseball:No

Gary Payton 6"4--no mention of baseball
Baseball:No

James Posey 6"8--no mention of baseball
Baseball:No

Chris Quinn 6"2--no mention of baseball
Baseball:No

Wayne Simien 6"9--no mention of baseball
Baseball:no

Dwyane Wade: 6"4--notable track star, no mention of baseball
Baseball:No

Antoine Walker 6"9--played baseball in high school. Quote "I played baseball – shortstop – but I quit after a while when I got too tall.
Baseball:Yes, and uncle played in major leagues.

Jason Williams 6"1--played baseball in youth, apparently not at high school level.
Baseball:No

Dorell Wright 6"8--article mentions major league scouts watching him for baseball.
Baseball:Yes

Weaknesses of the Heat as a baseball team:
Pitching: No one has pitched in years if ever. Velocity of pitchers is unlikely to exceed the average high schooler and the NBA pitcher probably will serve up nothing but fastballs and be fairly erratic in the strike zone.

Fielding: Catcher is likely to mishandle many pitches and will be extremely easy to steal on. Fielding ground balls should present quite a challenge.

Hitting: Strike zone is huge and skill level of hitters will be low. The only hitters with high school baseball experience can simply be walked.

An NBA team with a great ex-high school strikeout pitcher could possibly win if the pitcher was especially overpowering but it looks as if the high school team should be a clear favorite to demolish the NBA team.

[tshort]

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90 MPH means nothing when it never gets near the strike zone.

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I promise it's easy enough for a world class athlete to throw a fastball for strikes.

A 6'7" super strong and coordinated guy is gonna have no problem shutting down high school hitters.

Hitting is a problem, but I assume most of these guys are incredibly fast, and just beating out ground balls or even bunting would probably be enough to score a few runs.

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This is hilarious.

Throwing a 90 MPH fastball regardless of who you are takes many months of practice.

[Green Kool Aid]

I saw 'Zo throw the first pitch at a Marlins game he threw like a girl.

[J_V]

You could try and find the best basketball players and pool them all together, make your best baseball team, and then i might be kinda close, but HS baseball team still wins.