It’s that time of the year again. Opening Day was last week, and I’m hooked once again. Being an MLB fan in this day and age is something that’s a dying passion. I’ve been a die-hard fan of the Boston Red Sox since I was introduced to the sport when I was ten years old, and I have played softball since fourth grade.

There’s something about the sport of baseball that hooked me like no other sport. I love the atmosphere, the statistics, the way the logo is cut into the grass before Opening Day, the wacky nicknames, the incredible mascots. It’s a sport that, while some might argue is routine and boring, offers tradition, predictability and comfort to many. There are many things that I’ve learned from being a die-hard baseball fan over the years, and the following five are just a few.

1. Every pitch counts.

With the new pitch counts being put in place in high school leagues, I find myself thinking about this concept more and more. I’m a golfer, so I really like to apply this principle everywhere. There’s no excuse for giving up, because at the end of the day, pitch 10 is the same as pitch 70 in the book.

2. Sports are more than just a game.

It is hard to explain unless you’ve ever played, but baseball is an identity; it’s a passion. It’s a special feeling to be standing on the diamond and getting ready for the pitch, or to be looking in from the outfield, praying a ball isn’t going to get hit to you.

3. Work hard, play hard.

I’m not kidding when I say that I take this saying very seriously. In order for me to even function in school I need to play hard, which is why I have chosen to stay involved in many activities (including varsity athletics) at my college. As an athlete myself, I think this is the one that I take most to heart. There’s so much to learn from balancing your schedule and being able to do what you want to do. Trust me, it can be done.

4. Hard work pays off.

It is so inspiring to read the stories of all of the players that have “made it” in Major League Baseball. Many of these kids start at fourteen or fifteen, playing with raw talent in their native countries, and their families depend on their success. Imagine being placed in that situation. These kids have busted their butts to get to where they are, and are still learning every day.

5. Live in the moment.

I never realized how much I used to miss before I started playing softball. The game doesn’t allow you to slack off. When I played softball, I noticed everything, from birds chirping to the way the infield dirt felt under my feet to how salty sunflower seeds tasted under my tongue. I find that it’s so important to take a step back now and then and live in the present. Notice how the water flows from the faucet, or how blades of grass crunch between the ground and your feet on a wintry day.

Baseball is a sport that hooked me from the first pitch. It’s not for everyone, and I understand that. But when you deconstruct what baseball has to offer, there are certainly some advantages to being an older sport with a slower-moving game. There are definitely many more things to say about the game, but I hope that you can relate to these life lessons I have taken away from being a die-hard baseball fan.