Take me out to the ball game

(Nationals Stadium, Washington, D.C.)

To some, baseball is a boring sport. It's not as fast-paced as many other sports and the games tend to lag on at times. For such a long game, there is often not much excitement: no slam dunks, no crazy upper-90 goals, no between-the-legs moves, and definitely no jumping up and down in the stands.

But for me, baseball has always been a part of my life and I will continue to be a baseball fan for as long as I live. For me, this sport is about tradition. As they say, baseball is America's past time. Yet many people, including myself, find this hard to believe at times when comparing the games to NFL game highlights or the NCAA March Madness tournament.

I grew up with younger twin brothers, who grew up playing baseball. If I had a dollar for every baseball game and tournament I travelled to with them as a kid, I could pay off all of my student loans.  For me, I never griped about following them across the state to one AAU tournament after another. I loved the game and I loved watching them play. Dylan and Taylor always had such passion when playing and somehow always managed to make the games interesting, whether it was a killer slide into second-base, getting hit by a wild pitch, or hitting a homerun; I was never bored.

(Dylan sliding into second during one of his high school games)

 

I've also always been impressed with the skill and precision required in baseball. When batting, timing is everything. When pitching, accuracy is everything. If you miss this precision, the game is ultimately affected whether you intended it to be or not. For years, I Tried to go with my brothers to the batting cage to prove that it was easier than it looks, that anyone including a scrawny skinny girl could hit a ball spot on. Well, I was proven wrong and don't worry, D and T will be sure to let anyone know that I suck at baseball. Lesson learned: it's not as easy as it looks and requires skill, dedication, and focus in order to develop and grow as a baseball player.

(Taylor at-bat)

Baseball is one of those sports that the players get better with age. This is because they have had the time to perfect these skills. Throughout the teenage years, I really enjoyed watching the boys develop into these magnificent baseball players, perfecting their throws from third to first base and choosing when to wait to take a strike before swinging. As I said, to someone who has not watched endless amounts of innings, baseball would appear boring, yet the more I Watch, the more I love the sport. I can appreciate the little details that make the game interesting and perfect. I also love the moments in which the game can so quickly change in the bottom of the 9th inning.

 

Also, do not even get me started on the beauty of baseball fields. Of course not all of the millions of fields I have been to are perfect, but there's something captivating about the green outfield and the perfect clay diamond. Besides the fact that I have found that many baseball fields make for perfect Insta-pics, the field adds to the atmosphere of the game. I might be a little biased because Nats stadium is so beautiful, especially the way it sits on the water, but I think this holds true to so many baseball diamonds.

 

(Nationals Stadium, Washington, D.C.)

I hate that baseball gets recognized as a boring sport and is placed subordinately to football and basketball. Don't get me wrong, I love those 2 sports as well, but there is just something special about baseball that will remain in my heart forever. And I love all of the players; there are so many class acts in the sport that are such positive role models for young aspiring athletes (aka the greatest #2).

(Derek Jeter, obvi)

So in the spirit of Opening Days this past weekend, I encourage everyone to go to a baseball game in this beautiful spring weather, whether it's your younger sibling's high school baseball game, a minor league game, or an MLB game.  There is just something special about a spring or summer day, some popcorn and hotdogs, and a nice cold beer that mystifies the game of baseball for me. There's something indescribably different on a baseball field than the sideline of a football game or courtside. Maybe it's because I grew up a Houston Astros fan, maybe it's because I've converted to Natitude, or maybe it's because of growing up and witnessing two stellar baseball players (aka the twins), but whatever it is, baseball is one of my many loves and for this reason, those who know me know that it isn't rare to catch me in a ball cap almost all the time in the spring and summer.

(Drew's first baseball game; I think I converted him)

GO NATS!
Besos,
Haley