Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Take me out to the ball game.

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out

At the old ball game!

If you had told me a month ago that I'd be sitting here looking up baseball scores and recording Major League games (shown at 1am here in England), I would have called you mad (and probably stopped returning your calls) yet here I am....

Addicted to baseball.
In love with the game.

Two and a half weeks ago I found myself sitting in the stands of a minor league baseball game in Worcester, Massachusetts oblivious to what was about to happen to me. I didn't know the rules and was there more for the experience of something so quintessentially American than rooting for the home team / gripped by the outcome.

My American chums explained the basic rules before the game got underway and I was immediately impressed by how strategic it was. (I blush to say that I assumed baseball was rather simple and could be b... b... boring!)

Within moments I was hooked. It's a fantastically fun game! The suspense. Drama. Action. I was on the edge of my seat!!!

It was so wonderfully blissful to sit outside in the sun for HOURS watching this American past-time. It was also such a family-friendly environment and I knew immediately how it has become so woven into the American lifestyle. My only surprise was how it had taken me so long to "discover" this gem! The whole experience was one of bliss.

The game I watched was Worcester Tornadoes vs Nashua Pride and I really have to commend the Tornadoes on the "show" they put on. Not only did the baseball team come back from being down and clinch a thrilling victory but the support staff (Peterman, Twister etc) kept the crowd entertained during the innings and we were all rewarded with a fantastic fireworks display afterwards. We definitely got value for money!

So here I am - learning what I can about the game and following (albeit via the internet) the highs and lows of my new "home" team, the Tornadoes. They may not top the league but what I do know for sure is that my next trip to America will involve some minor league baseball.