Unless you are sports-anemic, you know that America’s Pastime completed its postseason. While I am still mourning the fact that this was not an orange and black October, I was excited to see this year’s fall classic magic. Yes, the sport we call baseball is exciting and I am here to defend it! Watching baseball can be fun, a perspective that far too many do not share. I commonly find that the average person not only doesn't enjoy watching baseball (contrary to other sports), but his or her opinion lands a complete 180--something along the lines of "baseball sucks." Why, I ask? "Baseball is boring" and "it's too slow" are the common accompanying phrases. I disagree. If you understand the game and all its nuances there is plenty of action to follow. What appears lethargic and uneventful to the untrained eye becomes intense and riveting to the experienced viewer.
As I said, folks get bogged down by the fact that baseball appears slow in action. They don't like the breaks between every pitch and feel as though these lapses in action are wasted time. What they do not understand is that every pitch counts. Sounds cliché, but it's true. Every pitch is not just a chuck at the plate. Instead, it is calculated and with purpose. Game theory takes over and the games within the game unfold making baseball a thinking man's game.
For example, for every pitch there is a plethora of mind-games for the pitcher: Should I throw to the outside where the hitter is vulnerable? Do I need to brush the hitter off the plate with some inside "chin music" so that my next pitch is more effective? Can I accurately place my fastball to his weak zone? Is he looking for a fastball? Should I throw a breaking pitch to keep him honest? What did I throw him last time? All of these are just a fraction of the thought processes that race through a pitcher's head. Likewise, the batter has his own set of questions too, trying to predict what pitch will be next.
Maybe the pitcher or batter doesn't actually think that hard. Maybe the manager calls the pitches or the catcher does the mental jumping jacks. It doesn't matter to a fan. The thought processes exist somewhere and you, as an observer, can follow along. If you truly understand baseball, this thinking nonetheless infiltrates your head while watching the game. Baseball then becomes mentally quick despite its perceived physical sluggishness. As such, this fast thinking results in an excited fan, edging for the next pitch.
What else makes baseball fun to watch? Knowledge. Baseball has an abundance of knowledge that makes the game fulfilling to watch. Let’s start with statistics. Stats are baseball’s strong suit. Usually, we get the stats that give us some sort of analysis on how the player is performing. Such examples are a player’s batting average, earned run average (ERA), or recent hit streak. With stats like these the audience is better satisfied because it understands the situation and what to expect. Sometimes, we get the crazy statistical concoctions comparing a present feat to its historical equivalent. Although seemingly outlandish, these can be quite interesting, adding a tinge of novelty to the viewer’s experience. There are literally stats for anything and everything. They’re fun and add more depth of understanding to watching the game.
Speaking of understanding, baseball is the best sport when it comes to knowing “your” players. The long and arduous journey of a 162 game season leads to many storylines highlighting anything and everything about your team and its ballplayers. When you truly follow your team, as many devoted fans do, you observe the players’ highs and lows. You know what they’re good at, what they struggle with, and what you can expect from them. You begin to relate to the players and eventually you get the sense that it is your team. You love ‘em, and you hate ‘em, but gosh darn it they’re yours and no one can take that away from you. And if and when your team wins it all, it is ever so much sweeter.
You like rivalries? Who doesn’t? Baseball is unparalleled in this regard. Nothing beats Yankees-Red Sox, Dodgers-Giants, and Cubs-Cards. These traditional rivalries are so heated with intensity that the fans, the players, the coaches, the owners, you name it--they all hate one another. And it’s awesome. With this hatred emerges a stage packed with passion and competitive fire. As a result, every game is fireworks to watch. It simply does not get any better than rivalry games and baseball has a ton each and every season.
So sit back, relax and enjoy the offseason (aka football season). Take in these points and maybe you too will be ready to become a fan of baseball in 2012. Go Giants!