I'm looking forward to the Minnesota Twins having an exciting year. However, there are several things I dislike hearing or seeing during the games.

One is the Circle Me Bert signs. Where or what is your "Bert?" Is that similar to saying "circle me chin?" Perhaps those with the signs don't know that you are to punctuate a noun of direct address. "Circle me, Bert" would show that you did listen in English class.

Another irritation is announcers' use of "hit" for "bat." When you say that Willingham, for instance, will "hit" next, how do you know that? I'm sure that he will bat next, but he has only about a 30 percent chance of hitting.

Also, the ball usually passes over the center or the edges of the plate, not the corner. It would have to come at a really sharp angle to cross one of the corners. Think of how many syllables you could save during a game by saying "edge" instead of "corner."

Thanks for letting me vent my frustration!

D.L. Struckman, Watertown, S.D.