A lot of people think baseball is boring.
A lot of people hate the Yankees.
I fall into neither camp.
In honor of the Yankees 27th World Series title, I thought I would share with you an email I received from my dad in December of 2002. I liked it so much, I have kept it for almost 7 years.
“O.K. To keep you entertained during the long winter, here are the ways in which baseball is unique and different from any other team sport.
Its the only team sport where:
- the length of the game is determined by number of possessions (innings) rather than by a clock.
- the player scores points rather than the ball.
- the boundary line is in bounds rather than out of bounds.
- the defense is in possession of the ball.
- one member of the team is intentionally stationed out of bounds. (the catcher.)
- the dimensions of the playing field are not standard from field to field.
- the manager or coach dresses like the players.
- each team is assured an equal number of possessions.
- the game can be finished before it’s over. (if the home team is ahead, the bottom of the final inning is not played.)
- one part of the playing field is subject to standard dimensions, but another part is not. (infield vs. outfield.)
- the playing field intentionally consists of two different surfaces. (dirt and grass.)
- part of the playing field is intentionally elevated above the rest. (the pitcher’s mound.)
- play is not interrupted by a planned halftime or rest space between periods.
- a player, once removed from the game, cannot return (I think).
- offensive players who are trying to score points must take their turn in a specific order – the batting order.”
So it’s official: my dad rules.
I love baseball wholeheartedly. If you think the game is boring, then you've never truly watched a game. Baseball is beautiful, tension-filled, and gripping.
But sorry, Kyle, I still hate the Yankees.
(Red Sox Nation!)
p.s. My husband is a non-baseball watcher. It's been my honor and privileged to snuggle with my sons and teach them the game. I hope I'm raising baseball fans for life.
The Yankees bought another series. Yay?
When I moved to NYC I wanted to hate the Yankees just as my parents had taught me. But then I went to Yankees stadium and it was hard not to get caught up in their history and the electricity of the place and since NYC is the only place I have lived with a major league team (okay 2, but the Mets just aren't the same experience), I fell for them. Go Yankees!!!!
I LOVE BASEBALL!!! And I love this post!
And I love that the Yankees won
Debbie – you are perilously close to losing the 'Dominator' moniker…
Azucar, Soul-Fusion and Tiburon…my love/respect for each of you just went through the roof. Honestly, there is NOTHING better than female MLB fans (even if they cheer for the wrong team…)
I don't comment often on this blog (and don't know either of you IRL), but I have to completely agree with this post. It was fun to see all the ways baseball is different from other sports.
But mostly I just wanted to say YANKEES RULE!
I remember using these points during a debate with Coach V. at Timpview forever ago! haha, I love it. Go Yankees!
I know you're my brother and all, but can your respect for me go through the roof too, because I love baseball and Dave doesn't? (well, except when he's faking being a Red Sox fan to annoy us!)
Let's hope Grandpa Markle doesn't see this post re: Yankees!
Your dad does rule! I still don't like the Yankees and yes they bought another series!!
–Gretchen
okay, your dad rules.
and now my stock will plummet when i say that i think baseball is truly the most boring sport to watch.
but i HAVE found i enjoy them live if i can have a hot dog and a pair of binoculars to people watch.
and i will say that the yankees are my FAVORITE TEAM! (but only because i knew it would please kyle.)