pat@uiucuxc.UUCP (08/07/83)
#N:uiucuxc:12800001:000:175 uiucuxc!pat Aug 5 00:27:00 1983 I just watched the Braves cream the Giants at SF... on the wall behind the batter were the words: "NO PEPPER" . Anyone know what that means (no softdrink jokes please) ?
hstrop@mhuxt.UUCP (08/08/83)
NO PEPPER refers to a form of pre-game practice that ballplayers and a coach use. The coach takes a ball and bat and hits short ground balls to players who throw the ball back. The object of the exercise is to increase the quickness and mobility of the players(usually infielders). The NO PEPPER signs are there to keep damage to the area behind the plate to a minimum and also to protect the fans. (I once heard of a coach and player who disobeyed such a sign and were assaulted by the grounds crew. But that's another story) Harvey S. Trop
alb@alice.UUCP (08/08/83)
Pepper is a warm up/practice type game with two or more people (usually 3 or 4) in which one holds the bat and the other(s) soft toss the ball. The person with the bat just hits softly, so the others (who are only a few feet away) can practice fielding.
rggoebel@watmath.UUCP (Randy Goebel) (08/26/83)
Pepper doesn't require a coach, nor does it require ground balls. It is played by 4 or 5 players, one of whom is the hitter. One of the fielders pitches the ball (at relatively close range), and the one who fields the return hit is the next pitcher. The batter usually cycles after some number of hits or minutes.