While sitting in front of television the other night enjoying ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" for about the third time that day, someone made a statement that would have made Harry Caray turn over in his grave.
"Baseball is so boring!" my fellow student shouted.
After immediately booting this person from my room, I was left wondering, "Is baseball still the national pastime or has baseball's time past?"
Since the late 1800s baseball has been a favorite sport of Americans. The popularity of the sport peaked after World War II in the 1950s and '60s. Maybe you've heard of the video series titled, "When It Was a Game."
Now, after a few strikes, a few lockouts and countless John Rocker outbursts, the popularity of the game has fizzled. My love for the sport, however, has not.
Baseball used to be the lead story in every sports section in every paper across America. Now, it seems the game has taken a backseat (or perhaps a back page) to NBA playoff races and NFL draft predictions.
Maybe the short attention span of this generation can not stand watching a three-hour game that ends with a final score of 1-0, but to me there is nothing that defines summer better than a classic pitcher's duel.
How can a sports fan not enjoy a perfectly-executed double play or a curve ball that makes a multi-millionaire hitter look like a frightened Little Leaguer? How can you not love the crunch of peanut shells and sunflower seeds underfoot?
What happened to the days of leaving a Ball State doubleheader with the feeling that you haven't seen enough? Why isn't "This Week In Baseball" still a popular show?
The thrill of last year's World Series has left me wondering just what it will take to bring the fans back to baseball.
Do you want a 72 home-run season? Barry Bonds had one of those in 2001.
Do you want a hot-shot rookie? Ichiro Suzuki won the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards last season.
Do you want a pitcher with six fingers on each hand? The Cubs' Antonio Alfonseca is your man.
So bust out those rally caps, buy me some Cracker Jacks and root root root for the home team, because I'm going to watch some more "Baseball Tonight!"
Write to Jay at jdkenworthy@bsu.edu
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