I know this may be a fairly unpopular opinion in a day and age where people just want to see tons of action and brawls between athletes in all their sporting events, but growing up in a family that loves baseball has taught me to love and appreciate the game for more than face value. Ever since I was little, I was dragged around the country to some of the coolest places to watch my older brothers play in baseball tournaments, and over the years I've gotten to know quite a lot more about the sport.

For me, nothing beats the excitement of the plays that make baseball so great, such as my favorite pitcher striking the batter out after a full count and several foul balls at bat, or watching my favorite outfielder stretch out and make a diving catch to save the game. How can someone not love that? To put it simply, I just don’t understand people who hate baseball.

A main argument for not wanting to watch baseball is because people think the game is "boring," with "not enough action," but I would strongly beg to differ. People who say this most likely don't understand that something is happening on every single pitch and play, and there is so much strategy being worked out. These spectators don't notice how the outfielders shift based on who the batter is, and what hand he bats with. They don't understand that the pitcher keeps throwing it to first base not simply to pick-off the runner (although that's always fun to see), but to keep him from stealing second base and eliminating the double-play. They don't understand the mind game that goes on between the pitcher and the batter, each one trying to guess what the other is expecting to happen next.

People who don't watch baseball often don't get the mechanics of the game. All they see are the statistics on the scoreboard saying that there are a certain amount of balls and strikes, what inning it is and what the score is. These are the people who complain that the game lasts way too long, but remind me of a time when it was a torturous thing to sit out in the sun and tan for 3 hours just enjoying the heat if nothing else? Baseball games are the most relaxing sporting events to watch in my opinion; I mean, who doesn't love sitting outside with a nice cool breeze on a hot day, ice cold drink in one hand and a handful of sunflower seeds in the other?

Maybe it's the way I was raised. Maybe it's the fact that watching baseball just makes me feel more American or maybe it's for no particular reason at all, but I would prefer to watch baseball over any other sport, any day. The atmosphere is intoxicating, and once you learn the ins and outs of baseball, I would venture to say it's nearly impossible not to love and appreciate America's pastime. Baseball season is right around the corner, and I, for one, could not be any more excited.