Baseball, A Faded Past-Time

Baseball is boring. I know, as a baseball writer, I just committed the ultimate sin. But, baseball is a faded past-time. This sentiment has been no clearer to me than at this current point of time. The month of October is when excitement happens. The month of October is what Major League Baseball teams strive for, and most fans hope to watch their team play meaningful baseball during this month. That alone should be enough for Major League Baseball’s post-season to be one of the most exciting times of the any professional sports season. The Major League Baseball Post-Season has been on display for about a week now, and I can honestly say that the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles is the first inning of post-season baseball that I have watched this season. Baseball purists may want to shade their eyes right now, because what I am about to say may be harmful to their health. The reason I went as long as I did without watching a single inning of post-season baseball is because I have simply not been interested.

Sep 21, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; General view of Major League baseballs in a bucket before a game between the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

Growing up, there were two things that I associated with the United States of America. Those two things were Apple Pie because who does not love a good piece of Apple pie, and Baseball. No matter who was teaching me about the various traits of the United States of America, it was always instilled that Baseball was America’s number one past-time.

That is what sparked my interest in baseball. My interest in baseball started during the 2003 season, when I watched as a third grader the Chicago Cubs magical run to the post-season and dramatic conclusion. From there, I began playing baseball. Jokingly, my Stepfather referred to me as Sammy Sosa–though, that was because of my ability to strike out while batting. Eventually, my skills developed and I was an average little league baseball player. I continued playing baseball throughout my years in High School. However,being in college now, it has been three years since I played baseball at a recreation level.

Whenever I would mention to people that I either play baseball or watch baseball, I would be countered with the same response by nearly everyone. That response would be the scrunching up of the nose and then the comment “Baseball is too boring for me.” Like most of you probably have done, I then defended baseball and it’s core values. In fact, it was my thinking that any one who did not enjoy baseball was not one for logic and strategy.

Ironically, I am starting to come to the realization that I am slowly becoming one of those people. Baseball simply does not interest me. I guess, I should put a caveat on that statement. Baseball that does not include the Chicago Cubs does not interest me. And, yes, there are times that Chicago Cubs’ baseball fails to interest me as well. That leads me to the belief that not only is baseball as a whole boring, but it is a faded past time.

Of course the inner workings of baseball is fascinating, and for anyone who doubts that, I suggest they watch the movie Moneyball. But Baseball is not like football. I can sit down and be entertained by any National League Football game even if it does not involve my beloved Chicago Bears. I fail to to generate that same sense of entertainment with watching Major League Baseball games that do not include the Cubs.

Baseball will always be a part of me and I will always have a soft spot for the game, but more and more, I discover that I am more of a Cubs’ fan than I am a baseball fan.