Baseball Players: Athlete or Other?

The statement: "Baseball players are not athletes .. Although they make athletic plays from time to time" will continue to echo in my cranium until a diagnosis of sorts may be resolved to such a vile comment. Sadly enough, this is not the first time the intended message has been stated.



So with any attempt in a fruitful debate in defending the players and America's Favorite Pastime, a definition from the recently controversial Merriam-Webster's Dictionary would only be sensical.



: ath·lete
Pronunciation: \ˈath-ˌlēt, ÷ˈa-thə-ˌlēt\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin athleta, from Greek athlētēs, from athlein to contend for a prize, from athlon prize, contest
Date: 15th century
: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina


: ath·let·ic
Pronunciation: \ath-ˈle-tik, ÷ˌa-thə-ˈle-\
Function: adjective
Date: 1636
1 : of or relating to athletes or athletics
2 : characteristic of an athlete; especially : vigorous, active
3 : mesomorphic
4 : used by athletes



The consistency in needing physical strength to complete tasks including: running, tackling, kicking or dribbling can commonly be construed as formulating an athlete in an exercise or sport type of manner; while standing in a field with a mitt or in a chalk-outlined box with a wooden stick in their hands may seem to take less effort to the non-baseball fan. According to Webster or Merriam whichever you prefer, an athlete must be one who trains in their sport that requires a physical strength, agility or stamina. Minus the juice heads, Baseball players train just as hard as any committed human being would be to their respective sport. It does require physical strength along with proper training that creates the stamina and agility to swing a bat, strike a batter out, pitch a no-hitter, or even dive to catch a ball that could save a last inning from turning disasterous. Jumping out of the box or beating a throw to the base takes an athlete to complete the task at hand.



To make any type of athletic play, one must be an athlete to make plays that would be considered athletic. An athlete commits themselves to their sport. Being called an athlete of course can not be taken lightly. But whether it is Soccer, Snowboarding, Synchronized Swimming or Baseball it still takes an athlete to take part in those events. Athletes compete against other athletes using their agility to out-compete the other. No matter the size of the athlete, just like in football they've trained to do their job and play their role on the team.

In closing: Baseball players physically train to compete, ergo Baseball players are athletes.