As you get closer, you start to feel the energy. The crowd gradually begins to thicken. You start to smell the aromas. Roasted peanuts, popcorn, garlic fries and caramelized corn. She hands her ticket to the ticket agent and clicks on the doors. You are inside. You walk to your assigned seat and see the most beautiful grass you have ever seen. That moment will stay with you for the rest of your life. I know you did it for me.
This was my first summary experience of going to a Detroit Tigers game when I was 9 years old. I’ll 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 seats in left field. Unfortunately, Rickey was 0-4 that day, so I didn’t even get to see him try to steal a bag. All those stolen bases and I didn’t witness any of them. Bah!
Going back to see the grass for the first time. That moment in time seemed to stop for about 10 seconds. My eyes lit up and that was the moment I knew she 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 hit a fastball or you can’t. The game requires quickness, both mentally and physically. The game requires time and preparation.
I have had some 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 many 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, never thought baseball was boring in any way, however I can understand why some do.
Baseball, as I mentioned before, is a game of quiet action. There are so many different scenarios at any given time during the course of a game. For example, if the count is 3-2 and there is a runner on first, there are things to do. First of all, if there are 2 outs, the runner will be running down the field, so if he hits a ground ball, strength on 2nd is out of the question. Play it safe at first. Second, depending on the batter, the first baseman should play off base to narrow the gap between first and second, thus avoiding the possibility of a base hit.
Those are just two very simple things that are happening on the field before the pitch is thrown. Each position has its responsibilities respected.
Another thing I’ve always liked to see during a game is the relationships between the pitcher and the catcher. How many times the pitcher will shake a pitch or if he trusts his catcher and throws what the catcher commands. I find it very entertaining to pay close attention to this. It adds a whole new element to watching a baseball game on TV.
I’ve had a love for this game for as long as I’ve been able to walk. I’m sure I’ll be watching baseball in the retirement home, if I’m lucky enough to get into a home with a TV.
