Baseball is Back!

Spring Training has begun and I’m wondering why the game of Baseball has such a profound effect on me and maybe you too? I suppose it has to do with its reminder of the innocence of youth and the hopeful coming of Spring.  While that seems to be true I sense there is something else going on.

Games can be important for expressing the inner yearnings we have about life.  I love the religious order and beauty of baseball, as humorously described by George Carlin. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=george+carlin+baseball+football+analogy&view=detail&mid=2501B7B2BFF03C869C592501B7B2BFF03C869C59&FORM=VIRE

 When you walk into a ballpark, you immediately relax and know you are going to be watching an orderly liturgical sport with clearly defined roles and foul lines.  There are the serious looking umpires in black as the interpreters of the rules, uniformed garbed, numbered and overpaid players of varying ability who do the best they can with an obvious mixture of failure and success, the intently staring manager trying to tactfully but forcefully control the very human mixture of skill, instinct and chance, the over the hill coaches doing what they can to help, the slightly prejudiced announcers and commentators interpreting the ambiguous happenings on the field while cheering for the home team, the noise of the mixed attentive and inattentive crowd, the gracious community gathered to judge and forgive the sins of the all too human players, the delicious sacramental hot dogs and other expensive foods sold by the people who seem pleased to just be working close to the game.  And let’s not forget the elders, the ushers who smile and welcome you to your seat.  There is something mysteriously religious about sitting at a game, eating a bun and a frank with a beer or pop, finally relaxed and away from the stress and commotion of life.

I know this sounds overly romantic, idealistic, escapist and it probably is but there is something magical about the game. 

So, if you are among the religious cadre that loves Baseball, I celebrate with you.  If Baseball is not your brand of sport, so be it.  We, each, have our ways of running away from the internal, external commotion and chaos of our times. 

But Baseball is back. Hallelujah!