Baseball is a game of strategy and skill, but it also has plenty of drama, tension, betrayal and euphoria. It’s a sport that has its own unique language and lexicon, and there are many games within the game (faking signs, faking movement behind the batter to confuse him about where the pitch is going, picking off runners, throwing the ball into foul territory to force a player back to his base). The beauty of this game is that it can take a single moment, an inning or a feeling and expand it into a whole story. It’s a sport that is rich in history, but it is also a living, breathing entity that continues to evolve and grow. Think of each season as a season in a long-running TV show – the episodes build upon one another, adding new layers to the storyline, but the eras are distinct.
It’s important to know the lingo and the rules of the game, but you should also try to find the story angle that interests you and focus on that instead of writing about every play in the game. Try to avoid cliches, which are a sign of imprecise writing and superficial reporting. For example, innings should be called frames and runs should be referred to as ‘plated’ or ‘plated.’ It is also a good idea to learn the correct terminology for batting statistics. For instance, hits should be called hits and home runs should be referred to as smashed or rapped.
There are a variety of ways to get into baseball, even if you’re not a huge fan. You could start by watching a few games with friends, or you can join an online community where you can follow a team and talk about the game. Eventually you’ll start to understand the strategies of the game and begin to care about the outcome. Keeping up with a team for an entire season will give you a greater appreciation of the game and help you to become a fan.
Getting involved with the game will teach you more about its history, and it can make the world of baseball much more interesting. You can even play games based on the game, such as Pass the Hat, which involves everyone putting a dollar or quarter into a hat for each at bat and then passing it to the person standing next to them when the batter changes. This is a great way to get people invested in the game, and it can be played for money or bragging rights. It’s also a great way to socialize with other fans and get to know them better.