… Without baseball.
I kid you not, either.
Winter is kind of here, finally, and the cold weather makes me start daydreaming of baseball. Of the ball snapping a glove. The sound of the bat and ball. The smell and look of a freshly cut outfield.
Baseball.
What would life be like without baseball?
No going to a game on a summer night as the lights can be seen for miles. Kids munching on popcorn and watching the game. A hot dog and a cold beer as you look over the program, or fill out a scorecard.
Baseball is Americana.
I’m old-school when it comes to baseball, too. I go to games armed with my scorebook and pencils. I eat a hot dog (or two), and occasionally have a beer. More often than not, it’ll be a soda in a souvenir cup, when available.
Yes, I will “test” some of the unique food choices at stadiums, but for the most part – it’s a hot dog for dinner.
I stand and sing “Take me out to the ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch. I stay until the end of the game, even in blowouts. It’s very rare for me to leave a game early.
Simply put, I love the game.
So what would life be like without it?
It would suck, that’s for sure.
Baseball is something I truly look forward to each year. No matter if it’s the lowest of minor leagues or the major leagues, I enjoy myself. It’s something that I can do by myself or with others. I’ve done both in recent years.
The road trips I’ve taken for games will be memories for years to come. I’ve had the chance to see many different players on their way up through the ranks. It’s a very big part of my life.
Life wouldn’t be the same without it, that’s for sure.
Play ball!
This post is part of the 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! You can see the 2016 themes by clicking here.
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!
Baseball is truly a part of the American experience, even though I’ve not been to a game. Many years ago a friend and I would go to church softball games (a local league) and had a grand time.
I fully agree, Linda. I love going to games each summer and look forward to visiting new stadiums!
I agree that the experience of baseball is much more than the actual game. 80% of what is good about baseball is lost on TV.
Kathy M. recently posted..1-2016
The experience as a whole is great, for sure. But I definitely tend to focus on the actual game. I don’t mind baseball on TV, but would definitely prefer to watch live.
Without a doubt, baseball has to be watched live. Whenever my daughter takes me to a game, she knows we have to get there at least 2 hours before the first pitch. I love watching batting practice, I love watching the outfielders stretch and all the preparations that preceded a game.
First time my son in law came with us, he questioned why we had to get there so early. My daughter just told him, “It’s like a religion to him. You don’t mess with his religion.”
Paul recently posted..My favorite place.
Baseball live is the way things should be (though I still love listening to the game on the radio). I am one who gets there quite early, too. I will watch a little BP, always look around the park, visit the team store, and get the lineups for the day. Unless I’ve been to a stadium and I know the program is the same all year, I always pick up a program, too.
As for the game … I’ve always said that baseball is a religious experience to me. People who go with me know how I am. I have certain nuances. I don’t leave games (ask those who went to a Phillies game with me a few years ago and sat through a three-hour rain delay only to see the game eventually go like 15 innings), I am particular about where I sit (aisle seats), and I like to avoid the crowded areas, if it’s in an MiLB park.
Baseball is my way of kind of getting away.
The closest minor league team to me now is about an hour away. For Christmas, I got a 10-pack of tickets (well 11, as they give a voucher for opening day), so I am looking forward to that.