But they don't always listen. Having spent years facing hitters with those indestructible aluminum bats, they have learned to just nibble at the outside corner. In pro baseball, that's a disaster. Sometimes, they can barely play catch. Before the game, you better keep your head up.
Balls seem to be flying everywhere.
Yes, we're talking about guys just warming up before batting practice. Burlington plays in the Appalachian League, where no team can have more than 12 players who are 21 years or older. The season is only 68 games, June through August, and it's the lowest of all the minor leagues still directly affiliated with Major League Baseball. And only three are likely to have a major-league career of any significance. Here, kids learn how to act like professional players.