re: Fight in the Nationals/Giants game between Harper and Strickland

I'm love/hate on unwritten rules. They're incredibly stupid, but yet weirdly fascinating.

What I think separates them is that often, there is some disconnect from the passion of the game. A pitcher "has" to hit a batter whether he gives a shite or not. Someone admires a shot (something that doesn't matter in the real world or in most sports), so you hit him weeks or months later. Flipping your bat is showing off. Hitting a guy the next night "settles" a score even when the guy knows it is coming and probably isn't mad about it.

These are some of the stupid aspects that are unique to baseball. Someone's admiration of a home run is often largely undetected by spectators, even pretty avid baseball fans.