There’s no other experience like a baseball game in the summer. It starts as you maneuver around in your car until a spot presents itself and then you have to endure the worst part of it all, the journey in the summer heat to the ballpark. Though it’s usually not even more than a couple of blocks, the sweat induced and strain of breathing makes it feel like an eternity.
You finally arrive at the stadium, where you are rewarded with a cooler environment and set eyes on the beautiful simplicity of a baseball field with the unique architecture that each ballpark brings. You find your seats and admire your view for the slightest moment, then immediately set your mind on the possibilities of what the team store has to offer.
You find a new hat, shirt or jersey that fits you so you can represent your team and you walk out of the merchandise store more fashionable than ever. As you walk back towards your seat you catch the scent of the ballpark food and suddenly realize how hungry you are.
The first pitch is in less than 10 minutes and as you rush to get your order in, you overlook the crazy amount of money you’re about to spend on a single hotdog and soda. You grab your go to condiment and a straw, as you hurry back to your seat.
You make it back as you begin to enjoy your food and drink, but just as you do, it’s time to stand for the national anthem. The anthem concludes as the sun sets and the famous two words at the start of every baseball game are said “Play Ball!”
The duels between pitcher’s and hitter’s ensue, as each at-bat provides a different battle and outcome. You watch in awe of the glove-work and the speedy baserunning of the players, but nothing compares to the sound of a hit. For a moment everything surrounding pauses when that cracking sound takes place. It demands attention as it echoes throughout the ballpark as everyone watches in suspense to see just how far the ball will go.
As the game plays out the calm murmur of the crowd could change at any time with that one crack of the bat, as the home fans patiently watch, waiting for that moment and when it comes, the eruption of cheering follows.
Before you know it, the 7th inning stretch is upon you and it’s time to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The whole crowd joins in unison for the song and emphasizes the end, singing “For its ONE-TWOTHREE strikes, you’re out, at the old ball game!”
As the game goes to the bottom of the 9th, your team trails a run and it’s time for a rally, as all of the fans turn their hats inside out together trying to superstitiously will the home team to a comeback. The leadoff man manages to get on base, but the next two proceed to strikeout. The last chance of hope comes to the plate and pushes the pitcher to a full count.
The pitcher delivers the 3-2 pitch and the crack of the bat follows, the crowd watches and as the ball clears the fence, the players clear the dugout to greet tonight’s hero at the home plate while the chaotic excitement of the fans resounds through the ballpark.
Tonight, you get to go home a winner alongside your fellow fans and the players themselves, a feeling unlike many. That’s the beauty in America’s Pastime, that experience will remain forever and with the consistency of games the opportunity is endless.