Why I Love Baseball, Part V

It would be a guess on my part to say why some fans of sport dislike baseball. Let me speculate that the primary reason has to do with the pace of a ballgame. I have heard others complain that baseball is too slow. Personally, I could not disagree more. At least those haters have a rational explanation; because I can understand if you had no emotional connection whatsoever why a game appears crawling.

I love baseball because the game presents a slowly building drama that can usually be threaded from start to finish. There is no getting around the fact that the pace of play is torpid compared to other sports, but as a viewer, I am entertained in that I can see all the developing parts slowly coming together to a conclusion. A baseball game from start to finish tells a great story. Like a brilliantly written novel or a great movie, the audience experiences all the sub plots, character development, and conflict that excellent story telling provides.

I find it extremely enjoyable to manage along from my chair, trying to predict the outcome of an at-bat or decide when to bring in a new pitcher. The pace of the game allows for real time speculation and on the spot second guessing. Each inning is like a mini drama that connects to the previous one which finally comes to climax with slick glove work (6-4-3 double play) or an offensive explosion (3 run homer).

Whether watching a game from the ballpark or listening to a XM broadcast, it is probably the most relaxing activity I enjoy. During a game I have the time to think, analyze, draw conclusions and experience the script to a great story.