WHAT IS IT ABOUT BASEBALL?

• Posted on 15 April 2019
• By Carl Lemelin
• Posted in Baseball, column, Easton, love, Mizuno, passion
• 0

A little column for those who are in love with the game!

Is it the memories of childhood in the summertime, hanging out at the park with your best buddies, honing your skills, competing to see who throws it better, who hits it the furthest or who makes the most web gems?

Is it the smell of the outfield grass the first time you go out to shag fly balls in the spring?

Or it simply the smell of that brand-new Mizuno glove as you prepare for the new season, breaking it in while watching a Grapefruit League game?

Maybe it’s the crack of the bat as you hit the sweet spot for the first time at batting practice, or the smacking of ball in glove in your first pitch-and-catch session of training camp?

Is it the ribbing from your teammates after your first strike-out of the season?  Or rather your first rehearsed team handshake entering the dugout after your first bomb with that new Easton Ghost bat?

Is it the friendships forged with the boys (and/or girls) during the journey that is a baseball season, drink in hand, celebrating a win on a comfortable heat-wave night…?  Or rather, discussing a heartbreaking loss and how to avoid it next time around?

Is it knowing that we are all a part of this unique fraternity of ballplayers?

Knowing we are the only ones who know what a riding four-seamer or a sinking two-seamer looks like from the batter’s box.

Knowing we are the only ones who know the meaning of a walk-off knock, a slide-piece, a knuckle-curve, a backwards ‘K’ or a bloop jam-shot.

Knowing we alone can appreciate how historically significant it is to be witnessing the greatness of Mike Trout!

Maybe it’s simply the fun in trying to outsmart the opponent in what is a fascinatingly strategic game?

Or is it the challenge of outperforming the opposition in a game that requires so much athleticism: hand-eye coordination, foot speed, rotational and upper-body strength, combined with constant mental acuity needed between and during each play?

Is it as simple as enjoying a beautiful summer day in good company during a week-long road trip, watching the best in the game perform in an iconic MLB stadium?

Who am I kidding with all these questions?  We all know the answer to each one of them is a resounding YES!!!  Our passion for this great game is all of this, and so much more…

Now we want to know, what made you fall in love with baseball?