Baseball season: 162 days of pure bliss. From April to October you can expect a game to be on almost every day, and that five-month break always seems to take forever. It’s hard to think of every moment that puts a smile on your face while watching the game, but here are just a few to tell you why baseball season is the best time of the year.
1. Spring Training
Although spring training doesn’t count towards regular season games, March baseball is one of the best experiences for a fan. Whether you’re in Florida or Arizona, you can find 15 teams preparing for opening day. The relaxed environment of a spring game gives players and fans more time to associate, making autographs a must during these games.
2. Opening Day
The first of 162 games and one of the best — especially if your team wins. It marks the beginning of the season and the best thing is you can never really know how a team will do based on opening day; baseball’s unpredictability is what makes it so special.
3. Ballpark Food
The food at a ballpark is arguably some of the best you can get. Watching your favorite team with a hot dog or garlic fries in your hand makes the experience that much better. Ice cream and peanuts are always a plus too. Although pricey, it’s totally worth it.
4. Walk-Off Homeruns
Some of the most exhilarating games have been settled by a walk-off home run: an intense game between two exceptional teams, down one in the bottom of the ninth and the home team has two outs; their best hitter — or an — steps up to the plate and launches one across the fence. His teammates dodge the dugout to greet him at home and the game is over. Easily one of the greatest outcomes and best things about baseball season.
5. No-Hitters or Perfect Games
For a pitcher, there is nothing more victorious than achieving a no-hitter or perfect game. Since they rarely occur, if you happen to be at one you are very lucky. The thrill of watching an ace of a pitcher accomplish a gem of a game is a glorious experience. His face during that final out is a moment to remember.
6. Rally Caps
The rally cap is one of the best traditions in baseball. The nerve-racking tension that puts you on the edge of your seat during a close game’s end forces you to do crazy things. When your team is down in the ninth and you need a little superstition to help you out, you wear your hat in some odd and unusual way - usually inside out and backwards. Seems crazy I know, but it seems to work.
7. 7th Inning Stretch
The seventh inning stretch is another tradition that people of all ages enjoy. “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” will always ring in my head. Inserting your team’s name into the song and yelling it furiously to let others around you know who you’re rooting for (aside from all the gear you have on) is one of the best feelings.
8. The Postseason
Playoff baseball has to be the best thing about baseball season overall. Not only the World Series but the fight to get there through the division series and championship series are even better. The intense atmosphere the postseason brings gives off a glow, especially through the wild fans. From a team not making it in over 20 years to a team creating a dynasty for themselves, it doesn’t get better than the playoffs.
If you haven’t caught on by now, baseball season really is the best. And if you don’t like baseball, you’re lying to yourself — because you read this whole article. Make the most of every game you go to because they are all filled with incredible experiences that you will remember forever. I only gave you nine, but telling you everything I think is spectacular about baseball would take a lifetime.
