Being a girl and understanding a guys sport can go one of two ways: one, that you only like the sport for attention or two, you pretend to like the sport to impress a guy. For me it is the complete opposite, baseball is a sport that I absolutely love and is something my family and I bond over. My dad played baseball when he was younger, I played softball and my brother plays baseball. Year round baseball is a constant in my life. Going to baseball games is normal for me and my family, just as it is a typical conversation in the car or at the dinner table.
As a baseball fan, you're more than likely going to like, or have a favorite team in the MLB. I absolutely LOVE the New York Yankees. No, I don't love the Yankees because that is one of the oldest and most known baseball teams in the MLB. I genuinely love watching them play, through wins and losses alike. I catch the game whenever I can when it is on TV, and when I can't see the game on TV I am constantly getting updates from ESPN on my phone. I can look at you and give you a Yankee starting lineup unless players have been sent to the DL or someone has been brought up from the Minors. But I try to learn. I enjoy having a team that I love and will defend to someone who trash-talks the Yankees and will throw it back at them with their team.
Most fans even have a favorite player. For me it is Derek Jeter, sure I think he is cute. But Jeter was an amazing shortstop. He was The Captain for the Yankees and was with them since he was 20. He was the 1996 Rookie of The Year, 1a 14 Time All-Star, Five Time World Series Champion (his first World Series Championship was in 1996 after being on the Yankees for a year), Five Time Golden Glove Award and was the Yankees Captain from 2003 till his retirement in September of 2014. Watching Jeter play shortstop was iconic for Yankees fans everywhere. Jeter was respected by everyone in the League including the Yankees rival the Boston Red Sox and fans alike. When Derek Jeter hurt his ankle before Play-Offs it killed me. Then when Jeter announced retirement and when he retired I bawled like a baby. He represented the Yankees so well and gave them an amazing leader. Jeter was also an upstanding man off the field, he has his Number 2 Foundation, is active in different charities, and gives back to the kids who look up to him. Jeter is also one of the few men in baseball to not use PEDs, in a time of enhancement this was huge for the Yankees who have dealt with player Alex Rodriguez. Of course, I like other players on the Yankees but none of them will replace Jeter, and as of now no one has replaced him as The Captain. Jeter will always be my favorite baseball player.
Another thing that one can't help but love about baseball is the atmosphere at a game. It is vibrant with energy, the player's personalities on the field are outstanding, and getting to watch a Pro game is something to remember forever. If you get to the game early enough you can watch BP and possibly get your favorite player's autograph. As a fan you can see how certain players are hitting, where they may not be as strong at and hope that your team sees these weaknesses. There is nothing like getting a hot-dog or nachos at a ballpark. Sure I've had my fair share of nachos and hot-dogs alike, but there is just something about having a hotdog at a baseball game that makes you smile. If your team is the home team, there is nothing like seeing their mascots partake in different activities throughout the game, running after players, mocking them, there is no telling what may happen. Finally when your team wins there is nothing like seeing the celebratory fireworks go off and the happiness you have with your team winning.
Baseball is a year-round sport for most fans(at least it is for me). Spring Training is of course in the Spring, but typically beginning around March. They play a few Spring Training ballgames against other teams. This is the perfect change for the General Manager to see how his team is shaping up and if he needs to bring someone up from the Minors. Then you move into the regular season games. There is the All-Star break where fans vote for players in the American and National League to play in a game combined of both leagues. This game is used to see who will have the home-field advantage for the World Series in October. 152 games of baseball for your team going until October. Every team out there is playing for their fans and to get to October. Making it to October means that they have made it to the Post-Season and they are in the running to win the World Series. There are a few months these players have off but the cycle doesn't end.
One day you will find someone who will understand this love that you have for baseball. You all could have rival teams or even the same team, but hopefully, you both realize and respect each other's passions. Even if your other half loves a different sport, you can both find common ground to enjoy each other's sports together. Sometimes the best things in life revolve a diamond: a baseball diamond.
