# Need answer fast: MLB batting practice **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 24, 2008, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635 "2008-07-24T17:20:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/1 "2008-07-24T17:20:29Z")
I’m taking my little brother (10) to his first Pirates game tonight. I plan on teaching him all the finer points, like where to park, what cool features PNC park has, how to haggle with a scalper, and all that fun stuff. I’m told that batting practice is the best time to catch a ball. There’s hardly anyone to compete with you, and every other ball is a home run/foul. When do they do batting practice? The game is at 7:05, so when should I show up? Anything else I should know? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/2 "2008-07-24T17:23:17Z")
From the team web site: > [@](#): > > BATTING PRACTICE > Batting practice generally begins two hours before most home games. Both teams take infield practice 40 minutes before game time. Times are approximate and subject to change without prior notification and at the discretion of either team. [linky](http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pit/ballpark/pit_ballpark_guide.jsp#B) ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/3 "2008-07-24T17:26:56Z")
I hunted for an hour on that site looking for it! Just blind, I guess. In that case, what else should I be sure to mention/teach to the little guy? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/4 "2008-07-24T17:30:24Z")
The OP has been answered and the follow-up seems better suited for the Game Room. Moved from General Questions to the Game Room. **Gfactor** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![mshar253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@mshar253](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mshar253)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/5 "2008-07-24T17:31:43Z")
[QUOTE=IntelSoldier] I hunted for an hour on that site looking for it! Just blind, I guess. In that case, what else should I be sure to mention/teach to the little guy? [/QUOTE] How to keep score. That’s essential for kids, I’d say. Drop 5 bucks or whatever on the game program, and there’s usually a score sheet in there. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/6 "2008-07-24T18:49:35Z")
[QUOTE=mshar253] How to keep score. That’s essential for kids, I’d say. Drop 5 bucks or whatever on the game program, and there’s usually a score sheet in there. [/QUOTE] But that would require knowing how to keep score myself… ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/7 "2008-07-24T19:01:31Z")
Don’t worry about it. I’m sure someone will keep score. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/8 "2008-07-24T19:42:07Z")
[QUOTE=IntelSoldier] I hunted for an hour on that site looking for it! Just blind, I guess. In that case, what else should I be sure to mention/teach to the little guy? [/QUOTE] Tell him to watch the movement of the umpires on any given play. That will indicate whether the guy making the call was in a good position to see the play. It’s an art form. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/9 "2008-07-24T20:01:07Z")
Be sure to share your wisdom as to what he should put on his hot dog(s). ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/10 "2008-07-25T03:33:23Z")
Cute update: Pirates blew out the Padres, 9-1. Herrerra picked up his first MLB win. I picked up my first MLB baseball from [Jason Bay](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Bay) during an inning warmup. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-mlb-batting-practice/457635/11 "2008-07-25T13:26:50Z")
First tell him to pick a better team to root for. Gah, the Pirates?