Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the country, played by Americans from various ethnic backgrounds. It’s one of the oldest games in America, with many people claiming that the game started back in 1839 in the United States.
Today, Major League Baseball is one of the oldest professional sports organizations in the region, with 30 teams evenly divided between the National League and the American League. Every year, baseball fans gather in arenas across the country to witness phenomenal baseball games.
What makes baseball so special? Read one to find out why so many people are fans of the sport:
- Rich, Timeless Sport
Baseball is one of the oldest and most popular games around the world, which according to the governing body World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), is played by roughly 65 million people in more than 140 countries. Although the sport was originally exclusive to America, it has also garnered participation from other countries like Japan and the Dominican Republic.
Most people who play this game are very competitive and take pride in being the best. Because of its competitive nature, a lot of people enjoy watching and playing baseball. There are also many schools and colleges that offer baseball as a major sport and those who love this sport tend to continue playing even after they’ve finished with school. Baseball is often the sport that young people root for and look forward to when they’re at sporting events.
Speaking of time, it has been in the sister city tradition of California and Japan to allow their young league members to spend some time together, which rarely happens in other sports. For them, baseball is more than a league game, but a crossover of language and culture. In fact, when Japanese players travel to California, they stay with the families of California players, even when they don’t speak each other’s languages.
Annually, these two cities take turns in hosting this tradition, and it’s fascinating to witness how anxious rivals become friends before their games.
- Amazing Community
Baseball is one of the most popular spectator sports around. The moment Major League Baseball commences, no one will dare to blink their eyes and get up from their seat while rooting for their different teams. With the many different Major League Baseball teams out there, you can bet that you’ll be able to find one that you love!
Furthermore, the fun and connection that fans get don’t end outside the field. In different parts of the globe, there are friendly baseball communities that share updates and personal experiences with one another about baseball. Those people who are big fans of baseball even build their own collection of official baseball merchandise—including signed, limited edition, or vintage items.
You can also obtain non-official merchandise designed by different retailers. The most popular baseball merchandise include gears, caps, jerseys, mugs, and even bottle openers. Check out these cleverly designed Chicago Cubs players merchandise which includes a halved baseball bottle opener with Rizzo’s signature.
- A Thrilling, Fast-Paced Game Played By The Best
Everyone knows that the history of baseball is filled with legendary baseball players like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and more. However, the reason why people love baseball isn’t just because of the talented players, but because of the game itself. You can’t help but appreciate how hard the game is and how it offers so much excitement and thrill.
People also love baseball because of how fast the game is. There are many great, fast paced games out there that can really get your blood pumping and give you a lot of energy, and baseball is definitely right up there in terms of popularity and quality.
- Highlights Individuality of Every Team Member
Baseball players are always formed into teams before playing in the field. Although teamwork strategy is deeply embedded in competitive baseball, the sport also highlights the individuality of every baseball player. Many baseball enthusiasts consistently check individual player statistics as each player holds an important role for the team. Whether they’re a shortstop, right field, or pitcher, they have a crucial role in the game.
In baseball, there are different kinds of skills that need to be learned in order to succeed as a player and as part of a team. For example, if you’re a catcher, you need to learn how to catch the ball that will lead your team to score. If you’re an outfielder, you have to know how to block balls, hit the ball with precision and speed, and make plays when they happen.
Takeaways
Baseball once started as a small sport played locally in the United States, but it soon spread to various parts of the world. It’s no longer just an American game. The World Baseball Classic, for instance, featured teams from countries such as the Netherlands, Japan, Puerto Rico, and so many others. The reasons discussed in this article just proves that baseball is loved by so many people, regardless of their age or nationality.
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