Team Sports

Today I did something I've never done before. I went to a Luther baseball game. Only the first three innings, but part of a game nonetheless.

It got me thinking about a couple things. I feel as if people are always arguing whether or not baseball is a team sport or an individual sport. According to some, the game is essentially between two members of opposing sides: the pitcher and hitter. At any given moment, a baseball game is individualistic. See, I would disagree. It's more of a hybrid. Like a Prius. The pitcher is meaningless without a defense behind him. The hitter is meaningless unless subsequent hitters can advance him around the bases.

Once I mentioned to a friend that I thought I could go to a baseball game by myself and still enjoy myself. Well, I put that idea to the test today. And well, I think I may have to renounce my previous statement. Although I appreciate being outside, and watching the game, baseball is inherently both a team sport and a team spectator sport. It was just, i don't know, kind of awkward. It was nice to be outside though, it's good to know that years of Metrodome indoctrination haven't destroyed my soul. Maybe it's because most of my friends have been busy lately, or the fact that I've never gone to a game by myself before, but it wasn't my favorite. Mostly why I left early. It's fun to be able to completely focus on the game, to sit there and think about what is going to happen next, but that's all kind of worthless if you can't share it with anyone.

Which is strange, because baseball stadiums aren't really created to foster a social atmosphere, in terms of strict planning. I mean, you're situated in rows, which I feel makes it awkward to hold a real conversation with someone. Said rows are in most cases, directly pointed towards the infield, focusing you on the game. The nature of ballparks create a nexus about home plate, tiers of seats radiating around. It's not like you go to the Twins game, have a beer and sit in little booths or anything. There are no coffeeshop type layouts. But yet, that's kind of the atmosphere that exists. Strange.

P.S.- The above photo of Detroit's Comerica Park is in honor of the Detroit Tigers, who just got wasted by the Twins last night 11-1.