Balls, Strikes, and Bourbon

After a brief hiatus, Bernnie and Josh return to discuss a few plays they have seen recently, sip some good, simple whiskies, and have a guest appearance by Bernnie's fire alarm.

In season two's ninth episode, Josh doesn't show up on time to record, so he is replaced by retired Major League Baseball umpire Dale Scott.

Bernnie and Dale talk about Old Forester 1920, Jack Daniel's and other "Tennessee" whiskies, umpire crew dynamics, and umpiring with difficult partners.

Dale's book, The Umpire Is Out: Calling the Game and Living My True Self, talks about his umpiring career and his experience being a pioneer for LGBTQ+ people within baseball and across sports. The book is available on his website, umpiredalescott.com, and can also found at most major book retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.)

Bernnie, Josh, returning guest Justin, and first-time guest Bobby talk about some of the things they see and hear in the baseball world that really grind their gears.

In the seventh episode of season two, the boys discuss game management, ground rules, and drink a little bit of bourbon.

In the sixth episode of their second season, the guys wrap up the discussion about appeals over pours of two unique bourbons from smaller distilleries.

Justin joins Bernnie and Josh for a discussion on three-person umpiring mechanics. Bernnie reveals that the show is, in fact, the best podcast in the universe.

What is an appeal? Who can appeal? What makes an appeal legal? What kind of whiskey are Bernnie and Josh drinking?

This episode contains the answers to these (and other) burning questions.

Josh tries a glass of bourbon from a barrel pick by a previous guest, Bernnie drinks something lower proof, and the two talk about the way the rule book is written and why it is so important to understand the little differences in terminology.

After hibernating all fall and winter, Bernnie and Josh are back! Season two starts out with discussion about bottled-in-bond whiskey (and other drinks), some tips for prepping for the new baseball season, and some discussion about knocking off the metaphorical dust as the season begins.