Baseball Continued...

Well, I went on a little bit of a tangent last time. Here is why I really love baseball. Aside from the history, which I went way too far into in my last post, it is the relaxing part of the game. Basketball, Football, even Soccer at times are all about the tense situations that ride on every play.

Baseball is a much more laid back sport, which is probably why it is not as popular as it once was. Aside from attending many MLB games in my life, I also have enjoyed watching baseball on any level. At Cal, I used to regularly go to their home games. When I told my friends I was going, they asked, "Why?" To tell the truth, it was a great excuse to get out of the house, enjoy a game and eat some sunflower seeds. When I lived in Missouri, I was a regular at the Mid-Missouri Mavericks games, so far as I know a now defunked Semi-Pro team. I was actually the guy the called in the final scores for the news station I worked for at the time. I have to admit, the Mid-Mo Mavs were bad baseball, they had little if any talent, and usually had a losing record. But, I liked going to games just for the experience. A couple beers and a dog an a nice balmy Missouri afternoon. All while being entertained by a game.

Now many nowdays say that baseball is and cannot be entertaining. Well, I fyou are not familiar with the game I can understand that. But, I myself was a catcher from the age of 7 all thae way through my High School years. In High School I played Soccer, Football, Basketball and Baseball all on the Varsity level. Aside from some bright spots in Football, Baseball was the one sport where I always knew I was good at it.

I have taken that knowledge and experience to my enjoyment of Major League Baseball. As a former catcher, I hang on every pitch and can usually tell what the last pitch was, I.E Curve, Cut or four seamer, and can predict what the mext pitch will be, for the most part.

Catcher is the only position, save the pitcher where you are involved in every play. I take that same attitude when I watch a game.

Now my concentration is on my San Francisco Giants. Since I cannot play on that level anymore, I live vicariously through the pros on the field. I went to my first Giants game at the blustery Candlestick Park in 1985 and have made it to at least on Pro game every season since. I am happiest at the ballpark, because you can forget life for a couple of hours and concentrate on something fun. That is why I love baseball.