Now the most popular sport is back in full swing: football. The rivalries can spawn friends, coworkers and relatives not speaking for months.
What about significant others though?
It is interesting what I have heard and seen over the past few years. Many people won't even consider dating you if you root for a team they dislike or "the enemy."
OK now let's get something straight. I understand everyone has their preferences and standards, and they should. I'm as big of a sports fan as you will find, especially football. I write this post as I also watch two college football games simultaneously.
However, we must realize the key word here: game. It is important to fans and players but if you're in love with another person and you have other similarities, why can't you make it work? And you wonder why you're single.
It seems to be our generation is almost finding reasons either to be in a relationship or to stay single. Once again, if you want to be in a relationship with a certain person, be willing and able to put other barriers and obstacles aside. Many divided households make it work.
It's similar to men hating shopping, soap operas, and spas, or women not caring about sports, beer, or action movies. There will always be differences to work through. Just because you two will eventually become one doesn't mean you need to be exactly alike. We were created to be unique and have our own minds also.
Therefore, we should develop an attitude of gratitude, confidence and understanding. This can be challenging but you will not grow as a human being. Stepping outside of your comfort zone isn't always bad. Just find enough common ground to maintain chemistry.
Are you currently in a "house divided" situation? Would you date someone that roots for the enemy in your sport?
Another homecoming just wrapped up at Winthrop University this past weekend. It appeared to again be a successful one. I know I had loads of fun, and was much more tired than I originally thought I would be.
20 years ago, this may have not been the case at all.
I wrote a piece four years ago as Winthrop's Homecoming was just starting to change and mature, mostly because of the student body and alums stepping in. Now it has become arguably the most unsung college homecoming in the Carolinas. Back in the mid 90s, I didn't think I would be saying this.
During that era, it was literally all about the game and the NPHC step show and that was it. Most of the parties were catered for the students only. Also, festivities took place in February, not uncommon for a medium size, liberal arts college without a football team.
In 2009, the university decided to move festivities to the Fall. Slowly mixers and socials became less frequent and there were more activities to cross over for students and alums alike.
This year alone, 2014, could be the year that Homecoming has turned the corner and taken that next step. Over the years, the pre game tailgate has become the most popular event and grows yearly, attracting more and more student organizations and alums. Even the unusually cold weather didn't thin the crowd as people still came in droves.
A pre Homecoming talent show was added a few years ago. The on campus Homecoming party on Friday night has become a staple. This year, it was a Mardi Gras celebration preceded by a stand up comedy performance by comedian/actor Brandon T. Jackson. At least seven off campus parties were held between Thursday and Saturday. It appears the game and the step show are no longer the main attractions. Nevertheless, homecoming is finally fun for all ages and demographics. It's all about recapturing the social experience and showing the alums how welcome they are.
It feels great to return every year. The energy level is high wherever a group of WU alums are gathering and for those few days, everyone is back at school again. The worries of the everyday world are put on hold until Sunday. And as with most events, social media and smart phones have enhanced the experience. One can keep up with classmates year round and view pictures and updates from the festivities. Indeed the WU has come a long long way since 1996.
Now let's just see what happens when Winthrop finally gets a football team.
Do you normally attend Winthrop's homecoming events? Did you attend this year? What do you most enjoy about Homecoming?
I have written and spoken on why I like Fall so much. It is hands down my favorite season. There are many reasons why and I will give a few.
1. The leaves of course.
It's always beautiful to see the leaves changing, especially where I live. There are all sorts of colors and it simply looks festive and refreshing.
2. Football is back
I wrote an entire piece simply dedicated to football a couple of years ago. It is America's sport, an awesome one, and best watched and played during this season. Like Fall, football never seems to last long enough.
3. The county fair.
This is another separate topic that I recently wrote about. The fair always comes to my area just as Fall begins and I associate one with the other. The weather is just getting cooler as the fair rolls through. And speaking of weather,...
4. The weather.
During the Fall, it's a nice balance of weather. There is usually not too much rain or snow, and is simply comfortable outside and in. Summer is often too hot, winter is often too cold, and spring is too sporadic. Fall is the weather equalizer.
5. Fall holidays.
Some of my favorite holidays occur in the Fall, especially Halloween and Thanksgiving. Halloween is great simply for the candy, parties and dressing up. Thanksgiving is the ultimate cheat day from any clean eating regimen and it is great for socializing with family and friends. All of this embodies the Fall spirit.
6. College homecomings
They seem to be exciting, even if you didn't attend that college. The HBCU homecomings are especially fun and have set the standard over the years for Homecoming. It is also another good time for reuniting.
7. Christmas is around the corner
Love or hate the winter holiday season, one must admit this is when people are often in the happiest of moods. They are leaving all other worries behind, and are focusing on humankind, as we should do year round.
What are some of the things you enjoy about Fall? Is it one of your favorite seasons?
I have written about the SEC a couple of times, especially them being arguably the best conference in all of college football. They now have a network of their own, which premiered on August 14, 2014.
Currently, the SEC network is showing classic games, highlights, and SEC Storied episodes. The special "The Stars Aligned" was really good. It gave people a birdeye's view about the day in the life of an SEC sports fan.
During the sporting season, certain games that will not air on ESPN or CBS will air on this network.
Now I am still a diehard Notre Dame fan in football and University of North Carolina fan in basketball. Nevertheless, I enjoy good sports, especially football. The SEC has that and then some.
And you gotta love that Rudy commercial advertising the NCAA's new four team playoff system.
They have featured many of the recent great Alabama and Auburn teams, including some specials on Bo Jackson. Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is now an analyst for the network. South Carolina has been shown some as well, given the splash they have made in the SEC in football and baseball the past few years.
The SEC network is available virtually everywhere, including DirecTV (channel 611), DISH, Charter and Time Warner Cable. It is definitely a big deal.
Enthusiasm is high right now for the southern football fan, and for sports fans in general. The SEC network is capturing this and proving why they have been competitive for so long.
Do you root for an SEC team? What do you think of this new network?
The sport of football has underwent some serious changes this past season at every level. This is in an effort to keep the game safer for the players.
Concussions and other career afflicting injuries from football have many former players filing lawsuits. Two of the most notable ones are Jim McMahon and Tony Dorsett, both whom suffered concussions that were not properly treated.
Now all leagues have extensive concussion testing and policies. This is all well and good, don't get me wrong. My problem is how soft the game has become. There is no defense now due to contact and tackle rules, or lack of tackling. Consequently, you have all of these football games that turn into shootouts, and the final scores look more like that of a basketball game.
So how can we strike a balance between safe and aggressive competition? Well, first we need to look back into history, when there wasn't as much equipment, back to the leatherhead days.
During the 1960s and prior, players played aggressive and knew how to fundamentally tackle. They were not spearing, or using their bodies and heads as human missiles to make tackles and big hits. They were simply bringing the ball carrier down. Complications didn't start until the mid 1970s when players used their equipment (helmets, shoulder pads) to make vicious and dangerous hits. Fundamental tackling slowly began taking a back seat.
About 10 years ago, many more teams starting running the spread offense, requiring a player to be a good defender in space. Also, tackling and hitting drills were performed less in practice due to possible injuries. Now you have the game of football as it currently is: a few steps away from flag football.
Returning to the football of old (and I mean really old) will require deeper focus on fundamental tackling and blocking. Players need to learn to use their hands, arms, feet and hips again, rather than their helmets. Also, teams need to tackle in practice a minimum of twice/week. I was always told that one often practices just like they play. The evidence is supporting my claim.
We could also take a lesson from rugby. They have minimum equipment, but still perform aggressive, fundamental tackles without the long term side effects. Rugby is a tough sport, and one that requires lots of safe contact.
Therefore, hard nosed, smash mouth football does not need to be sacrificed for safety. Players and coaches have to be smarter in their teachings, practices and performances. That will keep the players fired up, safe, and the fans will enjoy the end result.
Every problem has its own solution. And often that solution comes by looking into the past, learning from the good and bad, and making better decisions as the sport moves forward.
Sports are a major part of our culture and daily lives. Some women even watch
as much Sportscenter as some men. ESPN and ESPN2 are required channels on any cable or
satellite packages.
.
Basketball, baseball, boxing, tennis, golf, hockey, NASCAR, and currently
the Olympics have their broad fanbases. However, none beat the nation's #1
sport: football.
It's hard to beat the smell of the freshly cut grass, the taste of the hot
dogs and pizza, the roar of the crowds, and the hard hits and big plays. It's
pure Heaven to many of us
.
Football is like a religion in some areas, and understandably so. It comes
on only a few times/week, lasts only a few months, and is simply exciting to
watch, but not too exhausting or drawn out as other sports.
My love for football began in my teen years when I played for Blacksburg
High School. I still root for the Wildcats. I also attend many high school
games around the Carolinas, including Gaffney. No one has to explain to me why
football is so big in the city of Gaffney. I attend at least a couple of
Gaffney games per year, and have even traveled when they went to the state
championship. I love seeing good football and athletes, at all levels of play.
College football is also special. From the tailgating to GameDay on ESPN,
it’s an absolute rush. I'm not in favor of the BCS, but I definitely love to
watch the drama and excitement of college football. Those players play so hard,
in hopes of one day receiving a nice NFL contract. It will be nice when my
Notre Dame Fighting Irish can win more often. Beyond that, Saturdays in the
fall are made for college football, fight songs, rivalries, and school pride.
The NFL has almost always been great.It's a great way to cap off the weekend.My team for the past couple of decades has
been the Green Bay Packers. That isn't easy, although they are winning. Most of
my family likes America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys. You can only imagine how
Thanksgiving is for me since the Boys play every Turkey Day. I still enjoy
watching at least five games on Sundays, one on Mondays, and the occasional
Thursday night game. The season culminates with the Super Bowl, the highest
rated program on television during the entire year.
The NFL became even more exciting for me when I started playing fantasy
football about four years ago. I was then forced to pay attention to every
player on all 32 NFL rosters. The people I play with do not play for money,
simply for bragging rights. My desire, research, and luck paid off last season
as I won the championship in one of my leagues. I hope to repeat my
championship this season.
Football is a team sport that has united communities of all backgrounds for
decades. One can see in many families that the fathers and uncles played, and
the mothers and aunts cheered. This tradition continues to be passed down. You
even have famous football families such as the Mannings, with Archie, Eli, and
Peyton.
There are not enough words to express how happy I am football is back. It is
a constant reminder of the good in this world, and the various rewards that can
result from a consistent team effort.
It's coming up soon, and this is one of the places to get info about it. It's the 2010 Blacksburg High School Black v. Gold Alumni Game. The game will featured Blacksburg High School football alums squaring off against each other, reliving old glory days, albeit for one night. It will be Even year grads ('96, '98, '02, etc) versus Odd year grads ('91, '93', '97, etc). Some big names in Blacksburg High football lore are expected to play in the game. These include Daniel Farris, Nesbitt "Banky" Black, Brit Dawkins, Anthony Garrison, Mike Smith, Lamont Sutton, Stanley "Dunnie" Watts, and many more. Blacksburg, Cherokee County, and surrounding areas, you know you want to come out and see these old (no pun intended) stars strap it up and knock heads once again! The game will be on the Saturday after Blacksburg High School's varsity season ends. It will be at T.A. Campbell Stadium in Blacksburg, SC at 7pm. Admission will be $5 for everyone. It will be incorporate every high school varsity rule and regulation, except on punting and punt returns. These will be free kicks. This game has been in place for a while and myself, Shawn Corry (class of 1997, co-organizer) and Josh Batchler, (class of 2003, current BHS assistant coach) are very excited about the ordeal. Coach Mickey Moss, head coach at Blacksburg High School, Principal Jim Touchberry, and athletic director Robbie Blanton have been very good about working with us and giving us all the resources available to make this a quality event. Look out for the game on Saturday, November 13, 7pm at Dr. T.A. Campbell Stadium in Blacksburg, SC!!
Frequently asked questions:
Q: Why was there no date for the game yet?
A: Blacksburg High School's season was still going on and we are using their equipment. We needed to wait until the season is over to play the game so we can have access to their equipment, uniforms, etc.
Q: Who will be coaching?
A: Coach Mickey Moss and his current staff (minus Josh since he's playing for the Odd team) will be assisting. Also, Coach Moss has been talking to former Blacksburg High School coaches like Johnny Gibson, Danny Fulton, Steve Wilson, and Tommy Pruett to get them in on this deal. Unsure at present time which coaches are coaching which teams.
Q: How did you determine whom is eligible?
A: You have to be a graduate of Blacksburg High School first of all, playing at least one season of varsity football for BHS, and been out of school for at least 5 years. This means the class of 2005 is the last eligible class to be able to play in this year's game. Also, a waiver has been prepared by one of our classmates/teammates who is currently an attorney covering the school's behind in case of any injuries. EVERY player must sign the waiver before even practicing. Shawn, Josh, and I have worked diligently to get interested folks to sign the waivers in advance because we don't want folks just walking on the day of the game.
Q: What about having the cheerleaders and the band
A: That's a great idea but not something that Shawn, Josh or myself is dealing with. We're simply focusing on the players from each squad
Q: Where do the proceeds from the game go to?
A: Blacksburg High School athletics
Q: Why are you guys not partnering with Gaffney High like the Peach Festival used to do in the past?
A: We may do this in the future, depending on how well this game goes. We simply want to keep this a Blacksburg thing for now since it is our first year and we only need to focus on finding Blacksburg players.
Q: How and why did you guys decide to put this game on?
A: I was talking with a bunch of my former teammates (Shawn included) one night and we were reminiscencing about our old times playing for BHS. Shawn was talking about how Spartanburg and Dorman High School both do alumni games and that we should try to organize one. I told him I would be in and I would help out wherever I could. Since I know Josh Batchler, I went to him with the idea and he put Shawn and I in touch with all the people necessary to approve the game. Once the game was approved, we simply had to plan and get the most important part: the players. Many guys are excited about it as well and are ready to get back out there again.
Q: Who's black and who's gold?
A: Black and gold is simply the name of the game since Blacksburg's school colors are black and gold. Blacksburg High School simply has only black and white jerseys. There was a coin flip back in August, and the Odd team won. They chose to wear the black jerseys, and the Even team will be wearing the white jerseys.
Q: Who all is playing?
A: I have posted rosters on my FB page, http://www.facebook.com/drewhouse74 under my notes. If you wish to be tagged to the note for easier access, please let me know.
Q: Will there be EMS/emergency staff at the game?
A: This has been the 2nd most FAQ lately and yes we will have ambulances, EMTs, and plenty of volunteer fireman on staff at the game.
Q: Will Doug Bolin (arguably BHS's greatest player ever) be playing?
A: As of current, that answer is no. That could change though so stay tuned.
If there are any other questions or comments, hit me up on Facebook, www.facebook.com/drewhouse74. I will personally answer further questions, and make sure I put you on the invite list when I send out the FB invite.
-They better not talk about Mayweather and Mosley!
-Hell yeah UFC, now there’s a sport
-I love these highlights!
-I love these tributes to those in sports that have passed on.Glad they showed Wooden and Steinbrunner
-OK these previews are too damn long.Get to the show PLEASE!
-Seth Myers talks like a little whiny wimp that used to get stuffed in trash cans in high school
-Shaun White looks like Carrot Top
-Did Seth just take a shot at Kim K?
-He mentioned the Lakers, Yankees and Duke.I HATE all THREE! #fail
-These Brett Favre old jokes are lame
-What’s up with Tim Tebow wearing the Tar Heel colored Elvis outfit?VINTAGE!
-TO looks like Pee-Wee Herman with a purple tie
-Tracy Morgan has that look like “I should be up there, but Chris Rock has messed up hosting white award shows!”
-Stoudemare looks like Ray Charles with those shades
-I forgot Stuart Scott was married to a white girl and she’s hot
-More Kardashian jokes!
-That blonde in the peach dress has a great rack!
-Wait is that Christina Applegate?
-Murphy’s Law strikes again: the ONE awards shows I comment on, no one else is.I’m seeing crickets on FB and Twitter
-I still say Bosh looks like an alien without his trademark dreads #fail
-That model looks like such a little person besides Bosh
-I really like the “John Wall” dance.One of few dance moves I have
-Chris Johnson looks like Lil Jon.YEAAAH!! WHAT? WHAT?
-Did Chris Johnson just thank uStream and Twitter? And shouted out his Twitter handle, @chrisjohnson28
-OK Paul Rudd and Steve Carrell are spoofing the LeBron decision interview
-Now are the Cleveland Cavaliers supposed to be the NBA’s equivalent of Chilis? And if the Heat are Outback, are the Lakers the Cheesecake Factory?
-OK and Kyle Busch just looks like Pee-Wee Herman in the face and head.That’s one pale white dude!
-Is Greg Stink MacGruber?
-What the Hell is this performance, who is that and waddup wit that hair?
-Here comes Lindsay Vaughn and Shawn White (I mean, Carrot Top)
-I like CCR.Good theme song for Best Record Breaking Performance
-Deana Favre is cougarlicious!
-Even Brett is looking like “who the Hell won this record-breaking award over me?”
-Mark Ingram (Heisman winner) has absolutely no neck
-What is up with all of the SNL cast cameos?Andy Sanberg as an octopus? Seriously?
-Andy Sanberg is about as funny as Bob Saget, minus the extreme profanity
-Danica Patrick needs to comb her dang hair #thatisall
-Chris Berman could recite the recipe for boiling water and make that exciting.Soo much enthusiasm
-Glad Jim Joyce and Armando Gallarga are making peace.Joyce looks a lot like Wilford Brimley, and dang Gallarga is tall!
-I always thought figure skating was a hot sport, and got even hotter in 1994 when Tonya Harding took out Nancy Kerrington and her horse teeth (that’s right, Chad Burgess, I said it!)
-I didn’t know Bill Clinton was at the FIFA 2010 World Cup
-OK so that guy is Landon Donovan! I can’t help it, I don’t really watch soccer.
-Good Lawd Lisa Leslie could play in the NBA with the guys RIGHT NOW!
-There’s Tebow again with that leisure suit!
-So this band is, uh, something Monet?
-Ashley Green and Tracy Morgan, this should be interesting
-WOW, Ashley Green is smoking!
-Tracy Morgan, my cat Tiny is funnier than you sleeping!
-Always nice to hear Eminem rap over an awards highlight
-And “Cinderella Man” by Em is the business!
-Clint Black doing a Chariots of Fire rendition? OK country music already makes folks feel sad enough, is this really necessary?
-January Jones’s legs are almost as skinny as the microphone stand
-Alright Carrot Top just won an ESPY!
-And I thought I knew sports up, down, left, right.I don’t know half the folks in the audience, smh
-They can keep the camera on Deana Favre all night long!
-Gotta love high school football highlights.So ready for it all to begin!
-OMG that’s sooo sad about Ed Thomas!!! Dude went schizo on his coach.
-That’s sweet how the whole town still consoled the Beckers.At least they realized mental illness is a serious thing, and maybe one day people will stop beingjudgmental of those that have these evil illnesses.OK off of that soapbox.
-Maya Moore is one of the few cute women’s basketball players.I’d take her out any day, any time.
-OK Will Ferrel, another SNL alum.
-Take the camera off of Lisa Leslie, PLEASE AND THANK YOU!
-So is this going to be the next character Will Ferrell plays in a movie?
-And now he’s with Monae!
-Emmanuel Streekie is too FINE!! Legs for years!
-I so have to start watching Entourage! Or at least read Maxim.I know Ms. Emmanuel has been in that mag.
-Is the WNBA still revelant?My over/under on how long it will be before the league folds is 3 years, under.
-The Winter Olympians are REALLY dominating the awards tonight.
-With a few exceptions (like the emotional Arthur Ashe award presentation), this year’s ESPYs has just been bleh so far.
-OMG they are NOT spoofing the Blind Side!
-LOL!! The Dark Side!
-The hot gal in the peach dress from earlier is SI’s swimsuit model Brooke Decker
-I’ve noticed that they’re using a lot of corny comedy mixed with eye candy during this year’s ESPYs.The eye candy I like of course.Don’t really care for the comedy.
-And the great play goes to the old man, Brett Favre.Show Deana again, please!
-Greg Lewis looks like a slightly-lighter Kadeem Hardison
-Sam Jackson, yeahh u MFers!
-Guess where George Karl comes from? UNC baby, go Heels!
-It’s sad what cancer can do to folks.Karl has so much courage.
-Wow even Danica looks hot, even with that jacked up hair
-Luke Wilson, what’s up with the hobo beard?
-And Danica looks like ole girl from The Ring with that crazy hair
-Drew Brees is having another boy, cool!
-Exit quote from Brees “And I would like to thank ‘WHO DAT’ nation!”
-The Saints won “Best Team” ESPY.“WHO DAT” nation does it again!!! Thank God the Lakers didn’t win team of the year, or the Damn Yankees (RIP Steinbrunner).
-Am I the only one that noticed these extra long acceptance speeches?They need exit music like most of the other award shows?
Before I begin this blog (on a rare Saturday night), I have a few things to get off my chest. First, I'm blogging tonight instead of Sunday due to the fact that I'm resting up for the final night of my weekend long birthday celebration. Therefore, I didn't want to be blogging on my birthday night. Second, I appreciate and welcome you guy's feedbacks. Keep it coming as it makes me a better blogger. I welcome the positive as well as the negative comments. I want to continue my overall writing skills and believe it or not, you guys are a major part of that.
With that said, on with the blog, which begins with an age-old song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4-gsdLSSQ0
Remember when this was one of the many anthems of the summer? Going out to the ball park? Enjoying cotton candy, franks, and getting those huge pointy-fingers! Wearing your caps and visors to ward off sunburn? That's all part of the game of baseball, America's past-time.
Lately in the sporting world, baseball has taken a backseat. It has for years in the rural, inner-city, and urban communities, where the focus is football, basketball, and not many other sports. After the NBA Finals and NBA Draft, the dog days of summer are considered just a hiatus until training camp begins for the NFL and college football. Right now in sports, the main storylines have been Lebron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to attempt to win his first championship with the Miami Heat and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Even with the Homerun Derby and the MLB All-Star Game upcoming this week, the "boys of summer" aren't getting much respect lately.
Baseball is considered by some to be a game with "not enough action" and where there isn't many athletes anymore. Back in yesteryear, many pro baseball players except for some like the famed Babe Ruth were in excellent shape, played pretty much every game in the regular season and playoffs, and could run the bases well. Now you have as many CC Sabbathia's as you do Chone Figgins and Ichiro's. It seems the major headliners in the MLB lately are anybody from the defending champion New York Yankees, their rival Boston Red Sox, and Stephen Strasburg, the newest minor-league pitching sensation (whom my beloved Atlanta Braves took it to on June 29). Beyond that, baseball hasn't received much attention lately, although it is still considered the third-most popular sport in America.
Many Americans no longer play major league baseball anymore also. Many Latinos and East Asian players fill MLB rosters. And very few black athletes (outside of guys like the retired and controversial Barry Bonds and Torri Hunter) play as well. Therefore, you lose a broad fan-base as well. I won't even go into how summer vacation can hurt attendance at ball games.
Another deterrant in the MLB quandry is the LOOONG regular season. Each team plays 169 regular season games between April and September, with the playoffs being in October. If you're a pro baseball player, you basically have a game at least 5 games out of each week during each month. Those can get taxing to even watch, let alone play.
However, here are some of the positives of pro baseball. One is the thrill of seeing a homerun go across the park. Guys such as Barry Bonds (the current record holder) A-Rod, Ryan Howard, and Prince Fielder are extremely exciting because they bang lots of homeruns each season. However, the sport received a black eye when Jose Canseco of the famed "Bash Brothers" of the late 1980s wrote his best-selling book "Juiced". He exposed several baseball players, himself included, for using steroids such as HGH. This eventually led to a widespread investigation and stricter testing of the entire MLB. They have since found steroids of some form in A-Rod and Manny Rodriquez's systems. But none of this cases are more popular than Barry Bonds. Although it has yet to be confirmed whether or not the current leader for most homers in a career was juicing, there is much suspicion. However, until he is proven guilty, he should be left alone, let the record stand, and let the homers continue.
Also, the famed no-hitter gets plenty of attention during a MLB game. It is considered a "jinx" if one talks about the pitcher possibly earning a no-hitter about the 3rd inning. Not many no-hitters occur during a 169-game season, so when one is about to take place, EVERYONE is paying attention. Furthermore, everyone except the opposing team and fans wants to see it occur.
The game of baseball is an extremely stat and record-driven sport. I honestly had stopped watching a lot of baseball, especially since my Braves had started a downward spiral. That is, until I started playing fantasy baseball in 2008. I was then forced to pay attention to every game, statistic, and player, even on the minor leagues. It made the sport more exciting and I was a true fan again (at least of every team but the Yankees, although I've owned at least one Yankee player since I began).
Baseball, like many things in life, is what you make of it. It, also like many sports, is much better in person. I attended the Braves game in June 2001 with two of my friends when Cal Ripken Jr. was making his farewell tour. It was an exciting one, especially when EVERY camera in the stands at Turner Field were flashing whenever Cal got up to bat. I only wish there was an MLB franchise closer than Atlanta. I've been to a Charlotte Knights minor-league game. While it was fun, I would rather see my Braves, or any other MLB team (the Yanks included) play.
So I encourage you to give the sport another look if you're not already doing so. Watch some Baseball Tonight on ESPN. Read the baseball section of the sports page. Tune into the MLB channel if you have DirecTV. And finally, try watching a complete 9-inning game. There can be more than meets the eye!
Now don't get me wrong here, football and basketball are still my favorite sports, and I look forward to watching some action on the gridiron. However, until (and when) football starts, baseball will do, as it is my third-love in the sporting world. After all, it is summertime, and baseball is still American's past-time.
It's now time to go set my lineups for tomorrow in my MLB fantasy leagues. But remember that the MLB players are dubbed "the boys of summer" for a reason. Hard to beat that with a Louisville slugger.
