Stop Fighting It, Bat Flips Are Here to Stay

So, that Tim Anderson bat flip was fun, huh? Very saucy. In case you didn't catch the completely overblown "pimp job" on Wednesday afternoon, the fact that I'm writing about a White Sox-Royals game in May should give you some indication to how ridiculously loud the controversy has become.

Every season, we have the same debate: one older fan fights for the unwritten rules of the game, while the other younger fan tells the old man to chill.

To be blunt, I'm exhausted of the topic, and I'm here to put an end to it.

The biggest issue with bat flips aren't the bat flips themselves, rather, it's the people hanging on by a thread who refuse accept change.

Lets take a short personality assessment:

Person #1: travels frequently, seeks thrilling experiences, never signs on for longer than a 1-year lease, searches for new jobs/occupations frequently, enjoys socializing, no moment is an awkward moment, settled down at later age, always searching for something more, enjoys change.

Person #2: prefers to stay at home all day, has lived in the same house/apartment for five or more years, has been at the same job/company for five or more years, content with life, desires stability, dislikes change.

Which of these two personalities above do you most relate with?

Whatever your answer, the majority of newer generations, thanks to the initial millennial movement, relate most with Person #1. According to research conducted by Quarts Magazine, today's Americans spend, on average per day, 4.2 hours watching live television, 2.4 hours on our phones, and 1.8 hours listening to the radio. These numbers are increasing.

Look, this is a sports blog, not a lifestyle magazine. With that being said, there is a direct correlation between these consumption numbers and baseball fans. Today's Americans (ages 50 and below) are constantly on the move, consuming media on at least three different devices very day, if not more. Today's Americans embrace advancement and embrace change.

The older Americans (ages 51 and above), not so much.

We've all heard the "Back when I was boy..." stories from our uncles and grandparents. It's simple: older people have settled down, and seeking change and advancement is simply not as important to them any longer. They're content with where things are in life. Anything different is considered disruptive and often times "disrespectful." Older people are not enthused by advancement, they live in the past, and they do not embrace change.

To the older baseball fans who refuse to accept change, you're too late. As Allen Gamble says in The Other Guys: "You are out-gunned and out-manned." You are waging war against Major League Baseball, a league that embraces any new strategy of gaining new, young fans. We, the millennials, respect everything you have done for us in the past, but times have changed. Whatever advice you may have about what today's game needs is no longer relevant. It's time to move on.

These older baseball fans must stop fighting the inevitable. Not only are you losing soldiers each and every day due to the nature of life, but your arguments are less and less relatable.

The inevitable is this: baseball players are going to celebrate, baseball strategies are going to change (i.e. launch angle), and new baseball fans are going to embrace it.

And why shouldn't they? The game is advancing and is as exciting as it ever has been.

Keep in mind, this is all coming from a former collegiate pitcher. Many think that pitchers are against bat flips because pitchers consider it to be embarrassing or disrespectful. That's not the case at all. If I don't want an opposing player to "pimp" a home run, I shouldn't have given up a 420-foot tater. With that being said, it goes both ways. If you are welcome to toss your bat without any ill-response, I am just as welcome to scream into my glove and maybe even do a backflip when I strike your ass out. That's part of the deal.

There is a fine line between being disrespectful and displaying excitement for success.

Carlos Gomez's ridiculously slow stroll and constant trash talking against the Braves back in 2013? Not okay. Tim Anderson's bat throw against the Royals this last week? Absolutely okay.

So here's the deal...

Hitters: Stop clearing the benches when these hitters celebrate for their hard work off the field resulting in success on the field. Stop holding grudges against opposing players (yes, I'm talking to you Rougned Odor). Stop playing "tough guy" because they called you a bad name. If a pitcher hits you intentionally after you bat flip, accept it and run to first base. Stop overreacting, but do continue to play with emotion.

Pitchers: Stop being so damn soft. If it were me on the mound, I'd rather strike the piece of crap out the next at-bat rather than give him a little boo boo on the bum. None of us would have a job if we threw a stapler at our opponents every time they “disrespected” us in the office. Life is not always "respectful" nor is it always fair. Get used to it.

Umpires: Stop ejecting pitchers for throwing behind hitters to send a message. Let the game play itself out and if it begins to escalate to a point where it is becoming dangerous, then take the necessary measures. Allow the pitcher to face the consequences he created by having to pitch out of the situation. Join your employers, Major League Baseball, and "let the kids play."

Fans: Stop saying bat flips are disrespectful. They are not disrespectful. Tell the pitcher to grow a pair and strike the piece of crap out the next time he steps in the box. Grow up. Accept change or you will be left all alone as you complain about these darn whippersnappers playing the still amazing game that is baseball.