I love this game

Everything you need to get ready for summer.

As you get closer you begin to feel the energy. The crowd gradually starts to get thicker. You begin to smell the aromas. Roasted peanuts, popcorn, garlic fries and caramel corn. You hand your ticket to the ticket agent and click through the gates. You are in. You walk towards your assigned seat and you see the most beautiful grass you have ever seen. That moment will stay with you for the rest of your life. I know it did for me.

This was my summarized first experience going to a Detroit Tigers game when I was 9. I will never forget that day. I demanded that we go see the Oakland A’s in Detroit because Ricky Henderson was my favorite player at the time. I even requested left field seats. Unfortunately, Rickey went 0-4 that day so I didn’t even get to see him attempt to steal a bag. All of those stolen bases and I didn’t witness any of them. Bah!

Getting back to seeing the grass for the first time. That moment in time just seemed to stand still for about 10 seconds. My eyes lit up and that was the moment that I knew that I was in love with a game. Baseball. A game of silent strategy and patience. A game that does not lie. A game you can’t fake. You can either hit a fastball or you can’t. The game requires quickness, both mentally and physically. The game requires timing and preparation.

I’ve had a certain conversation with quite a few people over the years. The conversation goes like this:

ME:”I love baseball”

THEM:”I like to play but I can’t stand watching it on TV, it’s so slow and boring.”

I’m sure alot of people have had this conversation at least a few times. The thing is, I can understand why some people think this way. I, of course, have never thought baseball to be boring by any means, however I can understand why some do.

Baseball, like I mentioned before, is a game of silent action. There are so many different scenarios at any given time during the course of a game. For instance, if the count is 3-2 and there is a runner on first, there are things to be done. First of all, if there are 2 outs the runner will be running on the pitch, so if he hits a grounder, the force at 2nd is out of the question. Go for the sure out at first. Second, depending on the batter, the first baseman should play off the bag to make the hole between 1st and 2nd smaller, thus avoiding the possibility of a base hit.

Those are just two very simple things that are happening out in the field before the pitch is even thrown. Every position has their respected responsibilities.

One other thing I have always loved to watch during a game is the pitcher-catcher relationships. How many times the pitcher will shake off a pitch or if he trusts his catcher and throws whatever the catcher calls. I find it very entertaining to pay very close attention to this. It adds a whole new element to watching a game of baseball on TV.

I’ve had a love for this game since I’ve been able to walk. I am sure I will be watching baseball in the retirement home, if I am lucky enough to get into a home with a TV.