Baseball Fights

Baseball fights are the best of all the pro sports fights.

First off, in the NFL there are hardly ever fights. The players collide with each other on every play and are wearing a ton of pads. NFL fights are lame because the players are essentially fighting on every play, shoving each other back and forth. Then if a TRUE fight ensues, they're swinging but with all the padding on.

The NHL has official fights. The fights are part of the game. Official = lame.

In the NBA, which has grown more and more physical, there are often punches thrown and benches cleared, but the problem is there's only 12 guys per team. Since the bench can't leave under the threat of suspension, that means most NBA fights are five on five. Sure, we get the occasional Jeff Van Gundy hanging on Alonzo Mourning's leg type stuff, or PJ Brown throwing Charlie Ward to the ground but these fights aren't as good as baseball fights because...

In Major League Baseball, some 50+ players and coaches get involved in the skirmishes. Usually these are started by a beanball (just like yesterday's fight between the Red Sox and Yankees). As the batter or pitcher makes some heated comments or tries to stare down the other, the players from both dugouts inch out towards the action, like two rival gangs. The benches clear, and all hell breaks loose. A big pile in the middle of the field, made bigger by the two bullpens clearing out and reenfcrcements for each team charge into the melee, like the USA on D-Day into France. Then, the players actually fight. Punches with intent are thrown. Grappling ensues. The umpires, along with a few coaches try to separate things, but they are usually overmatched by the large pile of millionaires.

In addition, you can usually do all the great lip reading before the fight begins - "F--- You!" a player shouts, throwing aside his bat and helmet, just wanting fisticuffs. Baseball fights... nothing else like them.