I have never heard of anyone referring to this as a baseball ball. In a way, I suppose it is; but it is really necessary to be this wordy? Its a baseball; so why add the other word? I guess its someones idea of being cute or perhaps trying to be clever. But, what about that certain someone for whom every word counts and everything that they say has a purpose. I have known a FEW people like this and one I have read about comes to mind. Here are a few of his statements...
WEB: John Chapter 4
[25] The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah comes,” (he who is called Christ). “When he has come, he will declare to us all things.”
[26] Jesus said to her, "“I am he, the one who speaks to you.”"
WEB: John 6:35. Jesus said to them, "“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
WEB: John 8:12. Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "“I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”"
WEB: John Chapter 8
[23] He said to them, "“You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. [24] I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”"
WEB: John 8:58. Jesus said to them, "“Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”"
WEB: John 9:5. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”"
WEB: John Chapter 10
[7] Jesus therefore said to them again, "“Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. [8] All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. [9] I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. [10] The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
WEB: John 11:25. Jesus said to her, "“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.
I would like to be able to say I complete comprehend everything that Jesus has said; I can not do that. But, in these verses the words he uses to refer to himself as "I am" mean I myself am in Greek. He is pointing directly to himself (and only to himself) to show his uniqueness. Its not philosophy Jesus is into, its his identity. He is not mincing words, he is just trying to teach. Sometimes directness is the best way to do things. So, I guess whoever made the picture at the top is really correct after all, but I somehow I just don't get it. Jesus is a different matter!!!