Why is it called America's pastime: The rules

Photo By Roger RyDell Daniels | File photo of Staff Sgt. Roger RyDell Daniels.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

05.30.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Roger RyDell Daniels 

Warrior Transition Battalion - Fort Stewart

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Why is baseball called America's pastime? Some would say because it has been around for so long, others may say it is because everyone likes it. I say it is America’s pastimes because of the rules, structure and makeup of the game.

There are other reasons, which I will discuss later, but, for the most part, the rules, structure and make up has stood the test of time.

You can go to any playground, baseball field or stadium in this country and many other countries and the rules will be the same, minus some minor tweaks and adjustments for the younger players.

No matter where the game is played, the infield is the same shape with dimension adjustments for the younger age groups, the structure of the game: Three outs for both teams equal an inning and most importantly, the strike zone is the same no matter what age group or talent level.

Also, no matter what ball park or age level the game, the fans and, or coaches will always disagree with the umpires.
You can trust me on the last point because I have been an umpire for many years and I have witnessed some unruly behavior, especially in youth baseball. It's something about youth baseball that will cause grown people to act like they're three years younger than the age group they're watching. I mean an eight-year-old player will act more mature on the field than their coach on the side or a parent in the stands.

OK, back to why baseball is America's pastime. I have listed 10 reasons why I believe baseball will always be America's game:

1. The homerun. Nothing is more beautiful than a homerun and nothing is more enjoyable than to see the smile on a kid's face after he has hit one.

2. No time limits. Except for youth baseball, of course. Otherwise, there are no time limits. Each team has 27, 21 or 18 outs depending on the level. Everything above the high school level is 27 outs in nine innings per team. On the high school and middle school levels, there are 21 outs in seven innings. Everything below that are usually six innings or a time limit, which ever come first.

3. The long schedule. In the majors, there are 162 games. Your favorite teams plays almost every day. Because there are more games, there are more opportunities to attend a game or two.

4. The minor leagues. There's nothing minor about it. These games are competitive. The intensity level is just about the same no matter what level the game is.

5. Equal opportunity. On the field, everyone has a chance. The game doesn't discriminate. Size doesn't matter in baseball like other sports. If you can hit, catch and throw, you can play.

6. The stats. Baseball loves stats and stats love baseball. There is a stat for every situation in baseball. Also, baseball is the only game where you can fail and still be successful. You can hit three out of every ten and become a hall of famer.

7. The playoff system. Making the playoffs feels special after a grueling, 162-game season. Percentage of teams making MLB playoffs: Roughly 25 percent. Percentage of teams making NFL playoffs: Roughly 40 percent.

In football, it's one and done; sometimes the best team doesn't win. But, in baseball, the playoff series separate the boys from the men. You have at least four games to prove yourself worthy of advancing to the next round.

8. The All-Star game. The MLB All-Star game is not just a game; it is a weekend long event. Between the Homerun Derby, the Futures game and the actual All-Star game; the MLB actually takes pride in this event and I like that they have at least player from each team on the All-Star roster.

9. The ballparks. Ballparks come in all different shapes, colors and sizes. In baseball, you have all sorts of wacky quarts and each park has different dimensions.

10. History and magic. No other sport can match the illustrious history that baseball brings to the table. The players, the myths, the legends and the Hall of Fame, which is very hardest of all sports to get into. As for the magic; there's something truly magical about baseball. Something that you can't lay a finger on, but it has always been there.

There you have it. Agree or disagree.

In other sports news, do you really think the Indiana Pacers can beat the Miami Heat two out of the next three games to advance to the NBA Finals?

• Date Taken: 05.30.2013
• Date Posted: 05.31.2013 10:37
• Story ID: 107833
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US