Baseball Is NOT Boring

    So, like so many others you think baseball is boring. Well, I don't understand how that is possible if you have truly watched the game, and paid attention to every aspect of it. It is the ultimate game of strategy, a war between pitchers and hitters, and Major League Baseball offers you at least 162 games of your favorite team to watch from late March to early October. So, I don't know how it could possibly be seen as boring. However, I would like to change your mind if this is how you truly feel. So today, I am going to tell you how you can begin to view baseball differently and make it to that you no longer feel this way about such a beautiful sport. 

    Next time you are watching a game you should pay close attention to the smaller details and not just the home runs or highlight reel catches. You need to pay attention to every pitch, the sequence of pitches, the communication between the pitcher and catcher, the different defensive formations, every at-bat, the swings that hitters take, and the many other aspects of the game that will typically go unnoticed by the casual fan. If you do this, you will begin to pick up on the "art" that is baseball and begin to appreciate it as more than just a game where a guy throws a ball to a guy who is trying to hit a ball. 

    Pitching is an art form, and it is by far one of the most impressive things that an athlete can do. This is because there are so many variations, and very rarely are two pitches exactly the same. Some pitchers can range from a 70-mph curve to a 103-mph fastball. This is beyond impressive and makes it extremely difficult for anyone to get a hit. There are also guys like Yu Darvish, who has 11 different pitches, as well as guys like Mariano Rivera, who typically only used one pitch. Comparing these two numbers you'd think Darvish is better than Rivera, but that is not the case. This is because while Darvish had 11 pitches, where some were effective and others were ineffective, Rivera had one dominant pitch. If a pitcher can perfect one pitch and make it dominant, then they will succeed just as much as someone with a deep arsenal.

    Pitching also involves a lot of studying so that you know which pitches will be most effective against an opposing hitter. While a pitcher has the ability to be great by perfecting their pitches or effectively using a wide array of pitches, the hitter has the ability to be even better. Every at-bat is a battle between two men, the pitcher, and the hitter, and every at-bat can only go in the favor of one of these men. Therefore, it is crucial for a pitcher to study their opponent, know how they swing and know what pitches to throw in order to get them out. While a hitter must also do the same, the pitcher is the one with the upper hand as they are the ones who choose what to offer the hitter. While a pitcher won't find success if they continuously pitch around the hitter, they also need to know that attacking the hitter is not the answer either. This is why understanding your opponent is so crucial. 

    While pitchers are the ones who carry the majority of the load, defense is still greatly important. First off, the catcher needs to continuously help the pitcher make the best decisions, as well as make sure the ball is constantly being corralled after a pitch is thrown. Once the ball is out of the pitcher's hand and does not find the catcher's glove, it is time for the defense to truly step in. Whether or not they are able to make a play on the ball, they still need to corral the ball and get it back into the infield as quickly as possible in order to stop the hitter from getting much further than first base. Speed, defensive formation, and intelligence all play a role in this process, and make it to where playing defense is not nearly as easy as it may seem. 

    While pitching and defense are important aspects of baseball, the best part to watch as a fan is definitely hitting. Contrary to popular belief hitting is not all about hitting the ball as far as you can, and involves a lot more strategy. In baseball today, a contact hitter is arguably much more important than a power hitter, because you are a lot more likely to get on base when you are hitting for contact rather than just swinging to take the cover off of the ball. While every team can benefit from a few guys with power, seeing all 9 of your team's batters try and put one over the wall can be extremely frustrating. As a result of this, you usually see a lot of swings and misses, and not many guys on base. This style of play does not result in much success. 

    These examples and reasons for why baseball is far from boring are just a few of many. Since I assume those who are reading this are not too enthralled by what baseball has to offer, I do not want to overwhelm you with information. However, I do hope that my simple explanation as to why baseball is more than what meets the eye was good enough to persuade you to give it a second look. 

    With the MLB playoffs right around the corner, there is no better time for you to pick up that tv remote and turn on one of the games. I suggest you watch a Cardinals game and pay attention to all aspects of the game. Try and guess what approach the pitchers and batters will take, look at the different defensive formations, pay attention to the communication, look at the varying techniques and mechanics that the pitchers employ, and just enjoy the game. I hope it will make it so that you no longer view baseball as boring.