Are you one of those people who just can’t get enough baseball? I mean the season is 162 games long but only lasts from April-October. Then you have to suffer through the off-season trying to stay occupied with the NFL, NBA, and college football and basketball. Now while I love all of these because I am a huge sports fan in general, none compare to baseball. There are some people who have heard our cries for help and devoted television networks and other services for our enjoyment year around.
The MLB Network is a television channel that devotes 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to the game of baseball. They talk about up and coming prospects, critique the play of teams, show highlights from the season or a current game if in-season, and more analysis than you can handle. When the season does roll around you can purchase packages through your satellite or cable provider that allow you to watch all 32 team’s games every night. It is awesome, especially if you don’t live near where your favorite team plays.
An advertisement for MLB Extra Innings
On ESPN every night they have a show called “Baseball Tonight” and it features former players and managers (Steve Burthiaume, Dave Winfield, Buster Olney) on the set talking about what happened in baseball that day and recapping the highlights. My favorite segment of the show is when they have “Touch ‘Em All”. This is when they show every home run from the day. The other great part is “Web Gems” which displays the five best defensive plays in the field for the day and usually they are awesome home run robbing catches over the wall or diving catches.
Lastly, if you really want to be so involved in baseball that it will drive you and your family crazy, play fantasy baseball. Over the last five years fantasy sports have exploded online and are popular among groups of friends or coworkers in the office for some fun. While the draft parties are a lot of fun and all, the fantasy baseball season is grueling. You have to remember to look at your lineup every day to make sure your players are playing that day and no one is injured. It can be quite a chore but it is a fun way to get in touch with the game. There are even magazines like Sporting News and Lindy Sports that have issues solely about fantasy baseball and who to pick in your draft.
Sporting News' 2009 edition of the Fantasy Baseball breakdown
So embrace your inner nerd, invite your friends, and head to Yahoo! Sports, ESPN.com, or any other sports website to sign up and play for free.
Ballpark Shenanigans 