BASE BALL

There is only one way of putting it. Baseball is to America what cricket is to Indians.

Yes, Americans sleep, eat and drink baseball. One might wonder what Americans like about a game the rest of the world finds slow moving at best. What it is about baseball that it is touted as America’s national pastime?

The baseball game is divided into nine periods of play, each of which is called an inning. At the end of nine innings the team that has scored the most runs is the winner. The pitcher throws a ball towards the batter of the opposing team.

The batter tries to hit the ball into the baseball field. Runs are scored by hitting the ball and running around a series of bases before a player in the field can put them out.

On the surface baseball is like any other ball game. There is a bat, a ball, and players. However, Americans beg to differ. They insist it’s not just about “hit and run.”

Baseball is simple enough for a child to understand. At the same time, the subtlety in its plan of action keeps the oldies involved as well. The Americans argue that the slow pace of the game is what makes it so great to watch. The ‘action’ and the ‘rest action’ of baseball allow for conversation and ‘fixing and eating’ a hot dog, another American favorite.

Perhaps that is the reason why Americans watch it in pubs as well. Americans believe that baseball is for someone with passion. Fans insist that there is no sound sweeter than the cracking of the glove from the upper deck from a 95mph fast ball.