The Yak
The Yak
March 11, 2026

Cheah is Going to Try and Hit a 100MPH Baseball Blindfolded | The Yak 3-11-26

Quick Read

A heated, comedic debate erupts on The Yak as one host insists he could hit a 100 MPH fastball blindfolded more easily than with his eyes open, leading to calls to test the theory and expert debunking.
Stephen Cheah believes hitting a 100 MPH fastball blindfolded is easier for a layman than with eyes open, arguing it removes 'fear' and allows for timing guesses.
MLB players Eric Hosmer and Gunnar Henderson were called live and unanimously dismissed Cheah's theory, stating vision is paramount and closing eyes makes it 'very scary and even harder.'
The debate led to a planned live batting cage challenge for Cheah, aiming for a 100-105 MPH pitch, blindfolded vs. non-blindfolded.

Summary

The Yak episode devolves into a series of passionate, often absurd, debates. Brandon Walker rages against 'psychotic' Kobe Bryant fans for their defensive reactions to other players' high-scoring games, arguing that record-chasing is a historical NBA practice. The central, recurring, and most contentious discussion revolves around Stephen Cheah's belief that a layman could more easily hit a 100 MPH baseball pitch blindfolded than with eyes open, leading to a live whiffle ball demonstration and calls to professional baseball players Eric Hosmer and Gunnar Henderson, who both unequivocally dismiss the idea. The hosts also discuss the World Baseball Classic manager's miscalculation of advancement rules, the concept of a 'beer spa,' and the new Barstool hire, Green Greg, who is quickly integrated into the show's comedic dynamic.
This episode showcases the unique, unscripted, and often chaotic comedic dynamic of The Yak. It highlights how absurd, yet passionately held, opinions can drive engaging content, and how the hosts leverage their platform for immediate, live fact-checking (or debunking) of outlandish claims by consulting real-world experts. For fans of the show, it reinforces recurring character traits and introduces new ones, demonstrating the show's ability to generate viral moments from spontaneous debates.

Takeaways

  • Brandon Walker criticizes 'psychotic' Kobe Bryant fans for their inability to celebrate other players' high-scoring games without diminishing Kobe's legacy.
  • Stephen Cheah asserts that a non-athlete would have a better chance hitting a 100 MPH baseball blindfolded, believing it allows for timing the pitch without visual 'fear.'
  • Professional baseball players Eric Hosmer and Gunnar Henderson were contacted live and both stated that hitting a baseball is unequivocally harder blindfolded.
  • The manager for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic reportedly miscalculated the tournament's advancement rules, believing his team had already qualified.
  • A 'beer spa' concept is explored, where individuals soak in a solution of beer ingredients for skin benefits while also drinking beer.
  • New Barstool hire, 'Green Greg,' quickly becomes a comedic fixture, known for his Missouri sports fandom and being 'green' (new/naive).

Insights

1The Blindfolded Baseball Fallacy

Stephen Cheah argues that a layman would have a better chance hitting a 100 MPH baseball pitch blindfolded than with their eyes open. His logic is that seeing the ball at that speed is too overwhelming, and closing one's eyes would allow for a 'guess' based on timing, removing the fear factor. This theory is immediately challenged by the other hosts.

Cheah states, 'because you would just guess on the timing of it. Whereas if you saw the ball come out, you're dead.' He later adds, 'being able to see the release scare you... you're more relaxed.'

2Expert Debunking of Blindfolded Hitting

Two professional baseball players, Eric Hosmer and Gunnar Henderson, are called live on air to weigh in on Cheah's blindfolded hitting theory. Both unequivocally state that hitting a baseball is harder, not easier, blindfolded, emphasizing the critical role of vision.

Eric Hosmer: 'how are you going to time it up if you can't see? You might not even find the buyer's box.' Gunnar Henderson: 'No. Because I've tried hitting with closing my eyes before and it is very scary and even harder.'

3Kobe Fan 'Psychosis' and NBA Scoring Records

Brandon Walker expresses frustration with Kobe Bryant fans who, in his view, react 'psychotically' to other players' high-scoring performances by diminishing their achievements. He argues that teams historically 'force-feed' players to achieve scoring milestones, citing Wilt Chamberlain and David Robinson as examples, and that this practice is not unique or demeaning to the player.

Brandon states, 'Kobe fans are actually crazier than college football.' He details how Wilt Chamberlain shot 63 times for his 100-point game and David Robinson shot 48 times for 71 points, emphasizing, 'This has happened since the beginning of time.'

4World Baseball Classic Manager's Rule Misunderstanding

The manager for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Mark DeRosa, reportedly misunderstood the tournament's advancement rules, believing his team had already secured a spot in the quarterfinals when they had not. This led to confusion and a need for the team to win a crucial game they thought was inconsequential.

The host states, 'He actually said in an interview, 'We've already punched our tickets.'' and later, 'He didn't misspeak. He was wrong.'

Opportunities

Beer Spa Franchise

A unique hospitality concept where customers can soak in tubs filled with a solution of beer ingredients (hops, yeast, etc.) for skin and relaxation benefits, while also consuming beer. This combines wellness trends with social drinking.

Source: Discussion of Deutsch visiting a beer spa.

Custom Sports Merchandise with Local Flair

Stadiums and local businesses could create unique, collectible food containers and merchandise that reflect local culture or team identity, like the Mariners' ferry boat chicken tender holder. This drives fan engagement and collectible sales.

Source: Discussion of the Mariners' ferry boat chicken tender holder.

Lessons

  • Challenge outlandish claims immediately and publicly, as seen with the live calls to professional athletes to debunk a host's theory.
  • Leverage internal team dynamics and 'characters' (like Green Greg) to create ongoing comedic narratives and engagement for an audience.
  • Recognize and address fan tribalism in sports discussions by providing historical context to current events, as Brandon Walker did with NBA scoring records.

Notable Moments

Stephen Cheah's live whiffle ball demonstration, blindfolded, where he fails to make contact and gets hit in the face.

This moment provides immediate, albeit informal, 'evidence' against his blindfolded hitting theory, adding a strong comedic and visual element to the debate.

The hosts calling MLB players Eric Hosmer and Gunnar Henderson live on air to get their professional opinions on the blindfolded hitting theory.

This elevates the comedic debate by bringing in legitimate experts, adding a layer of authenticity and humor to the debunking of Cheah's outlandish claim.

Brandon Walker's passionate rant about Kobe Bryant fans and their 'psychotic' reactions to other players' scoring achievements.

This highlights a common frustration in sports fan culture and showcases Brandon's specific, intense personality, which is a core part of the show's appeal.

The reveal of the 'beer spa' where people soak in beer ingredients, leading to humorous speculation about its benefits and hygiene.

Introduces a bizarre yet intriguing real-world concept that sparks comedic discussion and highlights the hosts' reactions to unusual trends.

Quotes

"

"I think you could I think you have a better shot of hitting with eyes and no hands than with hands and no eyes."

Stephen Cheah
"

"How can you time an object if you can't see the object?"

Host
"

"I don't appreciate you for who you are, but I like you for what you are."

KU Fan (to Green Greg)
"

"No. Because I've tried hitting with closing my eyes before and it is very scary and even harder."

Gunnar Henderson
"

"Everything you said about your strategy with your eyes closed, just do that with your eyes open. But that's cheating."

Host / Stephen Cheah

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