Home Field Advantage

There have been some pretty weird home field advantage situations in the first round.

Midges swarmed Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain on the mound in Cleveland, leading to the game-tying run scoring on a wild pitch and an eventual Indians win. Some folks around the web are saying the Off! sprayed on Chamberlain actually attracts midges, along with bright light, perfumes and carbon dioxide emissions, like those you might find around 45,000 people at a night game.

It makes me wonder if it wouldn't be possible to pull off something like that intentionally. Put one of those ultrasonic bug repellers next to a P.A. mic, have guys on the sidewalk by the "knothole" in right field open up boxes full of things that respond to them, watch them converge where the most lights are focused, then turn on the mic at the end of the inning and make 'em go 'way. Sounds like an '80s teen flick.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old fan in Boston plucked a foul ball away from the Angels, keeping a rally alive for the Red Sox. Nice grab by the son of one a Red Sox limited partner. If you're listening, Cubs brass, here's the idea...

Teams have a responsibility to encourage their minor leaguers to become the stars of tomorrow. So what better time than the playoffs to honor the organization's top 50 defensive prospects with a pre-game presentation of a new glove? Show those fine young men what they're playing for by giving each of them a front-row playoff ticket.