As Basketball, Football, Hockey, and the Olympics talk get into full swing, we sometimes forget the pure joy and excitement that Baseball can bring to us. As a society, throughout the 20th century into today, we rely on baseball to unify people. This fact alone makes it a special activity, but it's the magical quality of the game that only those that have passion for it, who have played it and who appreciate all it can do for an aching soul--the game is for you--the sport that makes you feel special and wanted is entirely yours.

I always pity someone who says Baseball is boring, because that probably means that they were never introduced to the beauty that is the game of baseball. It's our pastime for a good reason; it's played a key role in the development of the American mind as a beautiful and passionate activity that has given leisure to many, a childhood to even more and the opportunity to inspire to most everyone.

This piece is me saying thank you to a sport that made me appreciate men, women and children, alike. It all started in t-ball when I was six. After that point it was all I wanted to do. It at least kept me in decent shape but that isn't the point. It taught me to compete, fight for what I want and focus on the end goal. Imagine that you are pitching on the mound in the last inning and you need to throw the ball into the perfect spot 60 feet away. Needless to say, it's hard to do. But it requires focus and accuracy to be successful, just as in life. I guess this is the magic that connects it so seamlessly into the psyche of the people who have played it. It teaches something we need, we have fun doing it, and sometimes, can bring us to tears.

Baseball,

Thank you.

Cheers.