In an attempt to consolidate my love for the three base hit, I looked for statistics that support my persuasions. All of a sudden it was sic gloria transit mundi all over again. The three base hits went the way of the stirrups. They are disappearing and they are disappearing fast. In the wonderfully detailed article 'Endangered species: the Three Base Hit' for hardballtimes John Walsh describes the decline of the triple with convincing arguments and with tears in his eyes. (If I lived anywhere near him, I think we would have founded a support group.) Smaller ballparks, improved fielding and steroid fueled homeruns ate the triples and they still do. The graphs of triples over the years suggests that we all go to a ballgame NOW to see the last one of them being hit. It seems that the things I like most about the game took it for granted a long time ago. I don't even dare think about hook slidings anymore.
Let's conclude with a quote from John Walsh.
"So, let's move those outfield fences back. Let's deaden the ball and bring back the thick-handled bat. Let's get those outfielders playing shallow again. Friends, let's save the triple!"
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