Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Play Ball!

Hi Friends. Welcome to the first YIFY post that I have ever written out by hand prior to typing. I'm writing this from 30,000 feet on my way from Charlotte to Boston. By the time I post this (and you read this) I'll be in Beantown. I'm going there for work, but today just happens to be the first day of the baseball season for the Boston Red Sox. So as soon as I get off of this plane, I'm heading to Fenway Park and should make it just in time for the first pitch. Forgive me if you aren't a sports fan, but I figured since I'm going to a baseball game in a couple of hours I'd write the first sports-related YIFY post about our national pastime. 

It's hard to believe that this is my first YIFY sports post because sports have always been a big part of my life. My dad was a P.E. and Health teacher, so I always played sports. Growing up I played pretty much every sport. I landed on golf as the one sport that I would play competitively in high school and college. I don't really know if that's because of natural talent or because I outgrew (width-wise) every other sport by the time I was a junior in high school.

Even though I stopped playing baseball competitively long ago I've always loved watching the game. So the official opening night of the baseball season was on Sunday. I made a date with my television to watch the game. Kate looked up from her monitor's warm glow to ask "Why do you like this stupid game?" So I decided to give it a little thought. 

I like the numbers. Baseball is all about numbers and math. My Rain Man-esque habit of counting pretty much everything works well with baseball. Sure there are stats in every other sport, but baseball is by far the most stats-obsessed sport. They continue to make them up.

It puts on a great live show. Just like there are bands that suck live, there are also sports that are fun to watch on TV but are lame in person. Baseball is great in person because it is played outdoors, played in the summer when it's nice to be outdoors, allows for public drinking, and has super passionate fans. I'm about to go to Fenway and I'll be surrounded by 20,000 people who could've easily been cast as "drunk Boston guy #4" in Good Will Hunting and I can't wait. Whenever I travel to a city for work in the Spring/Summer, I always check the schedule and try to catch a game.

There's a paternal/nostalgic quality to the game. Maybe it's a guy thing, but when you're sitting in the stands for three hours, it's impossible not to think of playing catch with your dad or going to a game. How else can you explain that I still cheer for the Cincinnati Reds? I've never lived in Cincy and there were always teams that were closer to our house, but my dad was a Reds fan, so I am too. 

Baseball absolutely has its flaws. I might have to take out a second mortgage for a ticket tonight, the game lasts a really long time (at least one Oklahoma! in most cases), and the players seem to have a penchant for sticking needles in their ass so they can hit the ball farther. I tend to overlook these flaws and focus on the positives which is so not me.

So I guess this is my public service announcement post. Try to get to a baseball game this summer. Whether it is major league, minor league, or your nephew's Tee Ball game. Give it a shot. If nothing else, you can drink a beer and work on your tan. Although drinking at a tee ball game probably isn't a good idea.

Editor's Note: Sox won 5-3. Just a typical game. There will be 161 more this year, but I'm going to remember this one for a long time. 

Oh, and I really need to work on my handwriting. 

13 comments:

Valerie said...

Hey Nate! New reader here, great stuff! I live about two blocks from Fenway and needless to say, things have been a bit crazy around here (as you know). And I totally agree that baseball is awesome to watch on TV and in person haha. Looking forward to future posts!

Nate said...

Thanks Valerie. And lucky you. You can probably get a Fenway Frank whenever you want.

Leanne said...

I love baseball games in the summer! I'm a Brewers girl... tailgating is the main reason I go, but the games are so exciting when you're actually there!

Jessica said...

I grew up going to Cincy Reds games, Go REDS! Your business trip sounds like it fits into the "And Cut" category...I bet after that plane trip your butt was hurting qutie a bit :p

Audrey said...

hooray you're in my city..too bad its wicked cold today. enjoy boston!

Liz Farrelly said...

Agree with everything you had to say today about baseball. I grew up in Chicago, and am a die-hard White Sox fan because my dad is.

Now, I date a Cubs fan (drama enough for a YIFY post, trust me) and can't wait to go back to the city for a game between the two. Sunday marked my official "start of summer."

Maybe we can catch an Indians game next time you swing through. I mean, its not big leagues, but they have great beer.

A@ Please Don't Eat Me! said...

i LOVE BASEBALL!!!!!!!

i love going to Fenway- it is a great experience..are you still in Boston? Why didn't you tell us sooner? we could have held a "Perez Hilton" style party for you!

Nate said...

Jessica - I fly enough that I end up in the comfy seats on the front of the plane. This leads to less butt pain.

Audrey - Yes, wicked cold for sure. Especially when sitting in the bleachers and holding a beer in each hand.

Liz - Thirsty Thursdays at Victory Field for sure

Mariposa - Back at the airport and on my way out...sorry...didn't know there were Boston readers. Next time!

Unknown said...

I also love baseball, in person or on tv, and I am a huge Red Sox fan, not because I've ever lived in Boston (though I did spend four years in New England), but because my mom is. So I identify with you on being a Reds fan because your dad is. I find minor league baseball to be very fun as well--the tickets are much cheaper and the stadiums smaller so you're closer to the action. I highly recommend catching a Brooklyn Cyclones game if you ever happen to be in New York in the summer...

Victoria said...

I love baseball. For me it's the Cubs. I had to convert the husband before I could marry him. Luckily he's from Indiana and had no real baseball loyalties before I got to him.

Anonymous said...

white sox. that's all.

Go Reds said...

Here's another reason why baseball is a unique and fun game to watch and play. It's one of the few games in which there is no time limit (unless it's T-ball in Angier). Since our lives are pretty much governed by the clock, it's nice that one game is time-limit free. Just thought I'd throw that in. Enjoy the blog and the memories it stirs of tossing the ball with my son and enjoying Spring training games in Plant City, Florida. Rounding third; heading for home.

Jordan said...

My dad is a Reds fan too and we are from Delaware. Go figure. My boyfriend is a Yankees fan. According to last night's game, they spent too much money on players this summer. Oops.