There was a call on the answering machine last week from Attorney Harold Spears.

The longtime Ironton lawyer was pleased with the Cincinnati Reds improvement this season, but being a baseball fan longer than a lawyer has allowed Spears to understand the game on a better-than-average level.

Mr. Spears had a couple of questions. 1. Why don’t players choke up on the bat when they have two strikes? 2. Why don’t Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn ever lay down a bunt against the defensive shifts of opposing teams that put three infielders to the right side and leave the third baseman standing around the shortstop’s spot.

Those are two very good questions. Until I can get someone to give me a good answer on my next trip to Great American Ball Park, here’s what seems to be the thinking behind this change in proper baseball procedure.

For one thing, players are selfish. If I choke up, it makes it look like I can’t handle this pitcher. They find it degrading to their talents. They’re a major league player, so they should be able to hit the way they want.

What they fail to understand is the guy on the mound is a major league player, too. If I was hitting against Roger Clemens, I’d be choking up.

In baseball, the key is putting the ball into play. You might not get a base hit, but what about an error or getting out on a force play as another runner advances or even scores? You can’t do any of that if you strike out.

The second thing about today’s players is they are selfish.

I know that’s the same reason, but they’re selfish for a different reason.

Players like Griffey and Dunn are paid to hit home runs. Forget that pitchers like to throw them down and away and make them try to pull that pitch. It doesn’t matter how good you are as a hitter, the toughest thing in the world for a hitter is to pull and outside pitch, especially one that is down in the strike zone.

Power hitters get their money from hitting home runs. Fans come to the ball park to see how far Dunn can hit the ball. They don’t want to see him bunt, even if it would help start a rally or keep one going.

What they don’t understand is that if they would bunt the ball a few times, teams might readjust their defense. Sure, they’d be happy to give up a single instead of a home run, but no one likes to let the leadoff batter get on base. More times than not, the leadoff guy who gets on base comes around to score.

Baseball has become a game about numbers. The better the key numbers, the more money a player makes.

And baseball, along with other pro sports, are becoming more of another entertainment venue in the realm of movies or a television show. There are more casual fans than in the past and baseball wants to cater to their interest which is the home run.

Baseball purests such as Harold Spears are in a minority in today’s society. I know, I’m a purest fan, too.

But in today’s pro sports world there is just too much money to be made. And, let’s face it, money never chokes up.

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.