The day we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. Today is the official start of Spring Training.
Spring is a unique time for baseball fans. We’ve spent all winter huddling up in our homes, looking out at the snow falling on the ground, and fantasizing about the start of baseball season. During the cold winter months, we try to fill our lives with other sporting events to fill the void left by baseball. While football, basketball, and hockey are both enjoyable and welcome diversions, they’re just that–diversions. They can’t replace the real thing. The anticipation of warm weather, hot dogs, ice cream, and the hearing the familiar crack of the bat is both tantalizing and rewarding; yet, somehow the build-up makes the emptiness of the baseball offseason worthwhile. It makes us appreciate our love for the game even more.
Spring Training represents hope and renewal. This is the time of year when all fans (even Pirates and Royals fans) are filled with optimism and hope that this will be the year their team will put it all together and bring home a championship. As we all know, that hope is neither realistic, nor long lasting. Over the course of the 162 schedule and playoffs, 29 teams will fall by the wayside. Their fan bases, disappointed and without choice, will turn their attention toward next year. Still, there will be one team left standing tall. Their fans will rally around them in jubilation as they celebrate in the streets. The celebration is short, for there is much work to be done. Now, there’s a title to defend.
I hope my team is in that position this October because there’s no greater feeling than lining up in the streets with your fellow fans, and cheering on your team. If not, there’s always next year.