Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

On Ohio State football

To Brian: I watched with jaundiced side eye at all the preseason hype of superstar transfers, returning talent and a new offensive coordinator combining to make the Buckeyes a national championship juggernaut. Even Ohio State’s detractors said this was the best team money could buy. All these prognosticators ignored Ryan Day and his choke factor in big games. Now that it’s apparent the hype train was derailed in Eugene, it may be time to reevaluate the head coach position if they gag in the playoffs.

Jeff Petsche, Delray Beach, Fla.

Dear Editor: With the Buckeyes’ loss to Oregon, it makes one wonder about their scheduling of opponents early in the season. Do the Buckeyes really benefit from beating the “Little Sisters of the Poor” teams 62-0 and then pound their chest and claim they are such a great team? I don’t think so. After those lopsided early-season blowout wins they then meet a “real” opponent and find it very difficult to handle the situation of a real competitive game. Maybe the Buckeyes should schedule some actual games where the outcome is not so assured early in the season to better prepare them for the more competitive teams that will surely follow. Chance favors those better prepared.

Chet Ridenour Sr., Worthington

To Mr. White: After rewatching the OSU vs. Oregon game, I have a question for Jim Knowles: Why do D-ends contentiously crash down inside and not maintain the edge? That should be their primary goal, pushing everything toward the middle for the D-line and linebackers. In Saturday’s game, one end failed to make a difference and the other did not maintain his assignment which resulted in the game-wining touchdown. Coach Knowles is paid enough to have his defense prepared for any situation and offense.

Fausto J Garofalo Jr, Columbus

To Brian: I’ve always criticized those who criticize amateur athletes, but I guess Ohio State football players aren’t really amateurs anymore. Nonetheless, those critical of Will Howard’s decision-making at the end of the Oregon game and Jeremiah Smith’s questionable penalty just before that overlook that they played well throughout the evening against a very good team in a hostile environment at night three time zones away and still almost overcame the deficiencies of the defense and a kickoff return player who demonstrated how playing back on your heels is less effective than being on your toes. 

Dennis Singleton, Dayton

On baseball catchers

To the editor: Having gone to Williamsport’s Little League World Series a couple of years ago with my adult grandson, we consider it a special place to showcase youth players.I do have a baseball and an umpiring complaint. It was not only “if” but “when” the issue would reach and impact Williamsport.In a recent LL game, the catcher was “framing” pitches to deceive the umpire into thinking it was a strike. Often called an art form, it is praised by MLB commentators. Catchers are often rated by their ability to influence a ball into a strike. Youth catchers and coaches have noticed. It has become blatant, successful and game-changing. You can not watch an MLB game without framing. But LL!Baseball has always included integrity challenges. Sharpened spikes, spitballs, illegal bats, betting and now, framing. What kind of a fair penalty could be administered?Umpires could treat the framed pitch as a walk unless the batter advances otherwise. After all, by framing the pitch back into the strike zone, what has the catcher admitted?Hitting a baseball is one of the most difficult skills in sports. Failing seven in 10 at-bats could make a Hall of Famer.Jim N. Reed, Lancaster

To Jim: Subtle framing, without moving the receiving arm, is indeed an art. But the exaggerated movement of the glove or hand should not throw off a good umpire, who can judge a pitch by where it hits the glove. That good umpire will ignore such catchers and they will stop the silliness.

On newspapers, deadlines and online coverage

To Brian: I’m just sitting here (about 2 p.m. Saturday) and thinking how this modern world can do so many things faster, smarter, and with more precision than in the past. I recall what the current media misses. Like, Woody had a TV show after the Saturday game, 10, 10:30 or 11 p.m. That included some of the outstanding players of the game.

Yes, the very next day the paper came out on Sunday morning with super stories from the game day. This week, we might (get a paper on Tuesday with a) little about the game. If they lose or win by a very small margin, the sports department will certainly tell how bad they are. That’s what they do all week. It sounds like the “USA Today” sports section doesn’t like to do anything positive for the team.

I also recall going to the games and getting an early Saturday paper, which told how great the team was. When do I see that now? I haven’t. The media help the Ohio State Buckeyes rise and fall. 

This is just history to all, but true. This might be how The Dispatch falls, too.

Bill

To Bill: Newspapers are different these days, with earlier print deadlines. In our case, that means any Ohio State game that kicks off later than 12:15 p.m. will not make the Sunday print editions. It’s been that way for many years now, with coverage of the games in Monday’s print editions. However, the timeliness of our coverage on Dispatch.com is better than ever, and shortly after the Ohio State-Oregon game ended we had published 14 stories, plus a photo gallery. All week, our website contains several articles that don’t make the print edition. Our Saturday print edition is now an electronic edition, available to all subscribers, but our Friday print editions include a separate game preview section. Lastly, our job as journalists is to report on the team in an unbiased and fair fashion, not to strive to do only positive things for the team. There are plenty of media in Columbus that do that. It’s just not our role.

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