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Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

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February 28, 2008 12:05 PM

Sights and Sounds: Buhner, Johjima

Posted by Geoff Baker

We are operating under some new, MLB-imposed restrictions today, since the games are starting. We are only permitted to show you up to 120 seconds of video footage throughout the day. This isn't a surprise, since we've known about it from the first day of camp. It isn't aimed specifically at us, either, just a blanket rule covering all media blogs. So, if you've got a problem with it, contact the Mariners or Bud Selig at MLB headquarters and let them know what you think. Nothing I can do about it from here. They say it's to prevent live broadcasting, which their TV and radio partners have the rights to. I could understand that if we were actually carrying live play-by-play, but that's obviously not the case.

Frankly, I think it's a way to restrict competition. Not like MLB.com is showing you individualized camp video footage, team-by-team, on a daily basis. I'm sure they're wondering: Why would you go to their site if another site is offering you something more? Good question, why would you? The thing with our site is, it's unfiltered by the teams and MLB. We don't have to worry about whether something is flattering to the team or players when we show or write it. So, I'm sure MLB.com is going to start shooting its own videos for you any day now, right? Any day now folks...keep waiting...

Or, MLB can choose not to have MLB.com do that extra work and simpy get around the problem by limiting the content and competitiveness of other sites. The American Way, I suppose? Hmmm. On second thought...that's not the version they taught me in my Canadian history books. The U.S. was much more competitive in those portrayals.

Anyway, that's my rant for the day. On with the show. Today, we've got Jay Buhner in his first day as a Mariners bench coach, watching Richie Sexson take bunting practice, then talking heavy-duty strategy with him afterwards.

The next clip is of Kenji Johjima in an indoor batting cage with consultant Lee Elia and translator Antony Suzuki. Johjima is working on driving the ball up the middle. Hear what Elia says to him at the end and watch the communication between the three.

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