Taka  +  673379 Mon, 16 Feb 09 02:37 AM And in one corner of that field there was the tight, shut diamond and the machine of players going through their motions. How would you interpret 'the machine of players' here? Players like a machine or something? Taka Joined on Tue, Sep 7 2004 Japan Senior Member 2,625

	Mister Micawber  +  673391 Mon, 16 Feb 09 02:51 AM . Without more context, I would suppose that the writer is suggesting the slow, rote repetition that a baseball game often presents to those who do not appreciate the sport. . Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,760 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Context

	Taka  +  673408 Mon, 16 Feb 09 03:17 AM It's followed by this: As little is left to the discretion of the players on the field as possible. They are tools, or rather of a mechanism run by a 'mastermind' who sits on the bench. Batter and fielder mechanically carry out motions whose plan and purpose are established for them・・・・・The beauty of baseball, indeed, is precisely in its mechanical perfection. It is related to the beauty of a machine, rather than of art. With this context, how would you paraphrase the phrase 'the machine of players'? Taka Context

	Mister Micawber  +  673430 Mon, 16 Feb 09 04:05 AM . [The players] are tools, or rather of a mechanism run by a 'mastermind' who sits on the bench. . Mister Micawber

	Taka  +  673459 Mon, 16 Feb 09 04:47 AM Are you saying that 'the machine' in question is semantically close to tools or a mechanism (run by a manager)? Taka

	Mister Micawber  +  673525 Mon, 16 Feb 09 07:02 AM . Yes. . Mister Micawber