For children and adults alike, baseball is more than just a game. The sport offers an array of benefits, including physical fitness, social interaction and mental well-being. Whether you’re cheering for a home run or helping a teammate catch a fly ball, baseball requires a high level of concentration and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. These skills can translate to academic and professional life.
The enduring popularity of the sport is often attributed to its ability to unite people of different backgrounds, cultures and socioeconomic statuses. The game’s roots extend to the earliest years of our nation’s history, with African-Americans playing on Southern plantations in the 1850s and Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in the 20th century. In addition to promoting racial equality, baseball also teaches kids how to deal with adversity. Struggling with a slump at the plate or having a tough game on defense will teach players that it’s important to keep their heads up and not give up.
Aside from the obvious physical benefits, baseball provides an opportunity to spend time outdoors and soak up some Vitamin D. Incorporating the outdoors into physical activity is known to promote healthy sleep, improve immune function and reduce inflammation. So if your kids aren’t enamored with sports on TV, getting them out into the sun and onto the field might just be the ticket.
Like many other team sports, baseball teaches the value of cooperation and collaboration. The game relies on the full team’s efforts to perform at a high level. For example, a double-play may require three or more players to work together to get a runner out. This type of coordination and strategic thinking will help your kids when it comes to solving complex problems in school or the workplace.
Despite its reputation as a slow sport, baseball demands a high level of patience and concentration. Players must wait for their turn at the plate, pay attention to the score and number of outs, and concentrate while they’re standing in the outfield or sitting in the dugout. This can help your child learn to focus for extended periods of time, stay attentive even when it’s not their turn to play and develop a sense of patience.
With 30 teams preparing to kick off the season, there are plenty of ways to watch MLB games. For fans who follow a particular team, it’s best to get a plan that includes their regional sports network (RSN). Sling TV offers ESPN and TBS as part of its base packages, while AT&T Stream offers FOX and FS1 for an additional $15/month. Both plans offer a free month of service, so you can try them out and decide which is right for your family. If you’re a general fan of the sport, you can choose a Sling Orange or Sling Blue plan that costs $46/month. This package will also allow you to watch national games on ESPN, TBS and FS1. You can add the MLB Network for an additional $15/month.