Basketball Vs. Baseball

[hab_in_exile]

I have dabbled in both, being a football/hockey guy primarily.

Baseball has the challenge of a very large playing area, and limited predictability (most plays are sane, but the whacked ones can be REALLY whacked). It also has the fundamental differences between positions. The plate and the bases are two completely different jobs, and balancing the two can be tough.

As a hockey/football guy I found the hardest thing in basketball was teaching my eyes to look in both the X and Y axises. I mean that I had to look up and down as well as back and forth. Basketball seems like the only sport where you have to consistenly watch the floor (travelling) and over your head (fouls on drives). That is reallly tough to get used to.

As for the Eric Gregg comparison - he couldn't umpire at 300lbs, but he was doing it anyway. Low standards by MLB and the real challenge are kind of different. Basketball is physically more demanding, but baseball is no slouch on a 90 degree day with lots of balls in play.