Bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, bases loaded Jose Abreu up to bat for the Chicago White Sox. White Sox 3, Minnesota Twins 4. The crowd on their feet, no empty seats. First pitch to Abreu is fouled back. 0-1 count, here comes the pitch. Abreu rips a line drive up the middle, first runner scores easily, the runner on second base is now rounding third, the centerfielder picks up the ball, loads back, and lets it fly. The play at the plate and he is… SAFE. The fireworks go off, the lights dance with style, the players jump out of the dugout and run like road runners onto the field. The White Sox have come back and beat the twins in walk off fashion…
This is why baseball is the best sport and you need to play baseball. I fell in love with baseball almost immediately after I started to play baseball. The sport has played a big role in my life and it can do the same to you too. I first joined a park district team and was determined to get better and get on everyone’s level. This pushed me to work harder and learn from the other players. Trying to get better at baseball got me away from video games and staying home watching TV.
Baseball works as a distraction from bad habits that you may be having. It also allows you to go outside and enjoy time outside instead of staying inside on a screen. The game also helps build friendships with a lot of new people. I was scared to join my school’s baseball team because I didn’t know anyone on the team. Once I overcame that fear, I decided to join. After I joined I was welcomed by every single player. Throughout the season, they helped me get better each and every day, giving me tips on how I can become a better player. During the season we became extremely close and within a blink of an eye, I had a lot more friends.
Towards the end of the season we got much closer spending almost every day practicing baseball, but sadly all good things come to an end. After our tragic loss in the state playoffs, all our emotions came out. We knew this was the last time we would play baseball together because the majority of the team will be graduating. Every year I meet new baseball players which means new people to learn from. Baseball is the best sport because not only do you get to have fun playing baseball but you also learn a lot of new things and get a lot of advice that you can transfer and use in the real world. For example my coaches tell me, stay back on the ball and let it travel, don’t go reaching out for the ball. I can take this advice and use it in the real world by letting things come my way naturally and don’t rush into anything or go out reaching for anything. Instead let it come to you. Another tip that I learned while playing baseball that I can transfer and use in the real world is never give up on the play. If you make a mistake, recover from it and do the best you can. In the real world. If you make a mistake, recover from it and move forward, don’t let it bring you down.
Maybe you think you are not athletic or just don’t want to play baseball. The excitement you feel while watching a baseball game is unmatched. Thousands of random people you don’t know become your friends for those 3 hours the game takes. You all cheer on the same team hoping they win. Maybe you say you don’t like playing or even watching baseball and that’s fine too. There’s more to a baseball game than just watching the players play. Before games, many fans tailgate in the parking lot, enjoying their time, eating, playing corn hole, and interacting with other fans. Inside the ballpark, each stadium has a lot of unique and fun activities you can do to keep yourself entertained. Not to mention the food that is unmatched from anywhere else.
In conclusion, you need to try playing baseball. If you don’t want to play, you need to watch baseball games. If you don’t like watching baseball games, you need to go experience a White Sox tailgate. All in all, you need to give baseball a try and I guarantee you baseball will have a positive impact in your life in many ways than just one.
Rodrigo Herrera-Mendoza