I feel like I know a little bit about baseball... it's the sport I've played, followed or written about the most for the last 25+ years.

But I guess I learned something new today. Maybe someone else can back this up, because I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.

Here's what I'm talking about -- Jamie Moyer said the following about the home run he gave up to Atlanta's Kelly Johnson on the first pitch of Tuesday night's game:

JM: "The first pitch of the game, he charged it, he squared it up and hit a home run."

Reporter: "What was the pitch?"

JM: "A fastball. It was probably up in the zone. A lot of times you get that professional courtesy, but it’s not assumed. They got a bat in their hands, they’re supposed to swing it."

So here's where I'm confused - a hitter isn't supposed to swing at the first pitch of the game? Really?

I can honestly say I've never heard of this "unwritten rule," or, as Moyer says, professional courtesy."

I understand the idea of a leadoff hitter wanting to see pitches, for his own benefit and the rest of the lineup; but you're not supposed to swing at the first pitch, ever?

If you have heard of this, please chime in.... I'm either a little embarrassed I've never heard of such a thing or I think Moyer is from another era that I haven't read up on.


(On another note, blogger - the system we use to produce this blog - isn't letting me post photos. I apologize... I think it's a lot more reader-friendly to have a blog with pics.)