Is it too soon to say, I miss baseball? I truly do. I miss going to games, I miss getting autographs, I miss the feeling being caught up into something thats bigger than me. Some people do not understand why I would stand for five hours waiting on a autograph in 100 degree heat. Some don't understand why I would rather spend my time at a ballpark then with friends.
I will tell you why. Collecting autographs allows me to be close to the game. It allows me to talk to players, allows me to meet new people. These people have the same passion for the game like I do. Collecting a autograph allows me to capture a piece of the game in a certain place and time. It gives me a story to tell. It allows me to relive my boyhood. I know, this sounds silly. But we all enjoy doing something, or collecting something. For me, I enjoy my time in the park.
Baseball is one game I use ALL my senses. I see my favorite players take the field or I see the new pattern the grounds crew placed into the grass hours before the game takes place. Have you ever closed your eyes at the ball park? Try it sometime. UNBELIEVABLE. You know whats going on without seeing anything! "Peanuts, Cracker Jacks," the vendor yells. You can hear the excitement in the other fans voices. "THIS IS OUR YEAR!" You can hear the crack of the bat or the heavy foot steps headed your way in a attempt to make a catch! I love hearing the ball players walk by and hearing the crunch sound their cleats make. I know I'm crazy...I prefer passionate... Feel. When you sit down, you know that seat it yours for the next three hours. The cold plastic turns warm on your back. My favorite ball-park food is the American classic HOT DOG! With mustard and that is it! The taste of a hot dog at the ball park is the best, nothing compares! My favorite sense is smell. At a ball park you smell 100 different smells each minute. The food, people, the morning dew that still lingers around. The one thing I always do when I reach my seat is sit down and close my eyes. I will take a deep breathe in. I LOVE Smelling the fresh cut grass! In my opinion grass makes a ball park. I am anti turf and always will be, turf takes away from the game.
I love the game of baseball because I use to play baseball. I was not blessed with the talent that todays athletes have. I wanted to play pro ball so bad, what kid doesn't? The one thing that separated me from the others is the passion I had on the field and for the game. Every single day I wanted to improve and be the best player I could be, and I did. My best wasn't good enough and that's okay. I still love the game. I still love talking about today's game versus early 1900's. I love debating if Babe Ruth would still be the best if he could face today's pitchers.
Winter Warm-Up is quickly approaching. This is a time where members of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team come together and sign autographs. This is also a time where I get excited because I know the season is right around the corner! I hope me writing this helps some who may not understand why some people love the game of baseball, I also hope this helps some to understand why some fans do what they do.
I am slowly starting to get into collecting game-used items. I have slowly learned these items are great to display and look great in my memorabilia collection. I have learned as well these items if bought can be very expensive. I have never thought about asking for a players possessions, since especially in the minors most of the players have to buy their own stuff. But it doesn't hurt to ask and if they say yes, it just makes my day even better.
A quick opinion on the Josh Hamilton deal. Josh Hamilton is my favorite player. Yes I know I am a Cardinals fan, but Josh Hamilton said something to me in 2009 that gained my loyalty for life! I will go into that story a later time. I am happy for Josh. I feel the Rangers waited to long and the wait bit them in the ass. Josh is the BEST player on your team and you don't offer him a deal? Not even in winter meetings they offer Josh a deal to pondering on. I am assuming Josh took that personally and took the deal the Angels offered him. A very good and fair offer that will pay off for the Rangers. I could go way into more in this deal but my arms are sore from typing. If you have questions or comments hit me up on Twitter @beebe76. Until then I will see you at the ball park!
