“It’s hard not to be romantic about baseball.” If Brad Pitt said it, it must be true. Baseball is so much more than a game, it’s arguably a lifestyle. Being a baseball fan requires a sort of undying faithfulness to a team. Heart-wrenching losses can follow spectacular walk off wins, slumps find even the best hitters, and sometimes teams just have terrible seasons. This sort of rollercoaster ride takes a strong hearted fan to endure.
1. They pay attention to details.
It takes finesse and patience to win baseball games, every move has the ability to change the outcome. The pitcher and catcher make quick decisions before every single pitch. Baseball fans understand the importance of throwing a changeup at a batter sitting on a fastball. They understand the difference between good and bad outfielders can be in the path they take chasing a fly ball. In life, the small details usually go unnoticed, but not by baseball fanatics. If you prefer red roses over white, they'll notice.
2. They understand failure.
In the game of basebal,l a successful hitter gets a hit three out of 10 times at the plate. That means the other seven times the batter fails. No hitter has ever had a .500 season, which means they'd succeed half of the time. Fans recognize that failure is something that must be accepted. There are too many games to dwell on a single loss, like in the real world, we must move on.
3. They'll give you your chance.
In baseball, you have to throw strikes in order to get outs. The pitcher has to the give the batter their chance to hit the ball. Throw outside for four pitches, that's a free base for the batter. If you don't throw over the plate, there's no way to win the ballgame. Baseball fans will give you your shot, and if you strike out that's not their fault.
4. They understand being faithful.
Baseball seasons are long, and they can be difficult for the faithful fan. No team wins every single game; true fans will lose sleep over the most brutal loss, but they won't change who they cheer for. Red Sox fans understand this pain all too well, as the "Curse of the Great Bambino" plagued the organization for 86 years. This was one of the longest World Series Championship droughts, however the fan base was stronger than ever. Baseball fans will suffer with their squad through the losses, wins, and the struggles in between.
5. They know there's always tomorrow.
During baseball season, off days are few and far between. That means almost every day there's a game being played, but a loss one day doesn't necessarily mean that there will be a loss the next day. We all have bad days, and sometimes it's just preferable to leave the past in the past. In life you learn to sleep it off, and hope for a better tomorrow.
6. They're patient.
Baseball is not a fast sport, by any means, and that one of the most beautiful parts of the game. Single, deliberate moves make the game what it is. Fans will watch nine innings and remember each hit and the amount of K's the pitcher has rung up. It's easy to get caught up in the fast pace world we live in, but in baseball you have to be patient. Baseball fans practice patience like no other sports fans. They'll wait for you.
7. They have passion.
Sports fans know what true love is. It takes exactly that, plus passion, to love a team that's broken your heart over and over again. They love their team with every ounce of their being. Wins instill great happiness and excitement, losses can seem like tragedies. Baseball fans are full of undying passion for their team, and for their lover, if you make the cut.
8. They're not afraid of a little competition.
Throughout the entire season, baseball fans are constantly checking the standings in their division. Nobody likes a blowout division race, except maybe the team leading. Fans love competition, it keeps things interesting. They'll compete for your love. Baseball fans aren't a group that backs down easily.
