I don’t let there be any mystery about the matter, I’ve always loved the game of baseball and I don’t see that changing any time soon. In recent years some people feel that baseball has become antiquated and is in danger of becoming a less relevant sport. However, if one would take the time to truly look at the game they may realize just how special it is. To help matters, here is my list of four reasons on why you should be a baseball fan.
1. The ballparks
There is nothing like attending a Major League Baseball game in person. Stadiums have become a works of art, making the venues worth checking out just as much as the game itself. Sure, ticket prices have sky-rocketed in recent years, but what major events haven’t? If you ask me, attending a game in person is well worth the price of admission.
2. Anything can happen
It’s true that in any sport anything can happen. However, in baseball true rarities are what makes the game so unique. A starting pitcher has a chance to throw a perfect game each time he throws the first pitch and a position player can make dazzling plays with his glove, yet get humbled with his failures at the player all in the same game.
3. Rooting against the Yankees
As a Detroit Tigers fan myself, one of the best things about baseball is rooting against the New York Yankees. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wish any ill-will on any of the Yankee players or coaches. I just hope that they don’t succeed to any degree, especially when playing the Tigers. You have to believe that I was pretty excited last October when the Tigers swept the Bronx Bombers to reach the World Series.
4. Spring training
Unlike most professional sports, baseball’s preseason seems to matter to a lot of people. Teams from all over the country congregate to Florida or Arizona starting in mid-February until the end of March. It’s a month and a half long of magical bliss, where one gets excited to turn on the TV and see baseball highlights again and everyone feels their team has a chance to win it all this year. The games don’t count and more than half of the players you see aren’t going to make the team but that all adds to the mystique.
There are plenty more reasons to love the game of baseball. I selected these four because they mean the most to me. What are the things about baseball that have made you a fan over the years?
Ben Murphy is a freelance sports writer in Michigan.
