Does anybody know the French word for baseball?

It's true that I'm writing this entry for no reason other than to stay awake for the duration of the baseball All-Star game, but that shouldn't make it less worthless than any of the other posts. How come the All-Star game doesn't utilize the designated hitter no matter where the game is played? I realize the National League doesn't play with the DH and the game is in a national league ballpark, but contrary to what Bud Selig would like you to think, this one doesn't count. Both teams have 33 players on their roster, 8 more than a team is allowed to carry for the duration of a 162 game season, so why not use one of those players as a DH so we don't have to endure moments the boredom that accompanies watching Roy Halladay attempt to make good contact with a Tim Lincecum fastball? Moving past that for a moment, did the National League seriously just intentionally walk Victor Martinez? It's an exhibition game. Use your superstar pitcher and just get him out. He's probably the weakest hitter in the entire lineup. I get the strategy and that the double play was in order, but again, nobody wants to see that. At least Adam Jones was able to drive in the run from third anyway.

In entirely unrelated news, except that somebody has to be the loser, today was Bastille Day in France. Bastille Day celebrates the liberation of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789, which more or less began the process of bringing democracy to France. (On behalf of my American brethren, "You're welcome, freres.") So in honor of France, I've decided to pay them homage by throwing out some props for all the contributions they've made to the world.

1. French toast, or as limey friends call it, eggy-bread. Actually, it seems that this wasn't necessarily created by the French as it dates back to medieval times and is more likely a British concoction. Interesting. At least we can credit them for French Fries.

2. French Fries. Sure we may call them Freedom Fries now, but that doesn't reduce their deliciousness one bit. This is a little embarrassing, but it seems that in France, French fries are known as being Belgian.

3. Napoleon. There's nothing better on a hot summer day than a nice bowl of ice cream, but sometimes it's impossible to choose the flavor. Chocolate? Vanilla? Strawberry? Um, yes please! I'm still not sure why they named the ice cream after a French military commander, but I'm willing to accept it.

4. The Statue of Liberty. It was donated as a gift from France to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But in accordance with French customs, it was dedicated 10 years late, in 1886. I guess they were thankful for freedom, but not that happy. It would also be nice if they would send some maids over to clean it once in a while. That green color is hiding the copper.

5. Many ways to not win a military conflict. Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work," while attempting to find the proper metal to be used a filament in the light bulb. As Americans, I think it's important that we realize the contribution the French have provided in this area. Instead of trying and finding things that don't work, we can just ask ourselves, "What would France do?" and just do the opposite. Plus we have this Google result for the search "French military victories."

6. The Tour de France. Without it, Lance Armstrong would be just another guy with one ball. Sheryl Crow would have been irrelevant 6 years sooner. And we wouldn't be able to quickly identify toolbags like this.

Thank you France. You clearly make all of our lives better.