11 Reasons Why I Like Baseball (And Why You Should Too)
There are pros and cons to every sport you can imagine, but instead of being a pessimist, you can call me an optimist. I like to focus on the good side of things as life can get grey and dark fast otherwise. It’s the same with baseball!
There are so many things that I love about baseball. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced, or professional player, I believe that you can relate and find new joys in baseball. So, what are the best things about baseball that I love?
I love baseball because it’s an outdoor sport and provides fresh air. Also, the team spirit and fan culture are incredible. Baseball isn’t crazy expensive either, and I like to keep my body in good shape, and baseball is the perfect activity. Finally, baseball is fun, and it represents hope.
Do you find baseball as exciting as I do? Well, if you didn’t get too excited just yet, I’ll explain each of the 11 things that I like about it individually so you can understand why it is one of the best sports you can play.
Without a further due, let’s begin!
Contents
- 1. Outdoor sport
- 2. High popularity
- 3. Socially rich
- 4. You need your team to thrive
- 5. Relatively cheap to start
- 6. You get a good workout
- 7. It isn’t just about the muscles
- 8. Fan culture is world-class
- 9. Uniforms make you look incredible
- 10. Baseball is crazy fun
- 11. Baseball and what it represents
- Here You’ll Find My Favorite Baseball Equipment
1. Outdoor sport
One of my favorite reasons about baseball is that it’s an outdoor sport. Sure other sports are great to be played indoors, such as table tennis or badminton, but baseball belongs outside where you can breathe fresh air, see a glimpse of the sun, and smell that fresh grass.
If you are ever feeling down or dusty as I sometimes am, outdoor air can do wonders for it. In fact, it won’t only make depressed thoughts go away, but it will bring out joyful thoughts!
Don’t take only my word for it. Various studies show that breathing fresh air will increase serotonin (happy hormone), making you happier!
There are also many more benefits to outdoor sports in the fresh air, including;
- Increased energy levels
- More focus and a sharper mind
- Strengthened immune system
- Improved blood pressure & heart rate
- Makes you look and feel younger
Oh, and it’s beautiful outside, especially on a baseball field! Of course, there are cons such as rain, chilly temperatures, and so on, but the benefits outweigh the cons.
2. High popularity
Did you know that baseball is the second most popular sport in the United States and arguably the seventh most popular globally? According to Statista, there are over 15 million baseball players only in the United States, and that doesen’t count the fanbase.
When examining the fanbase numbers, it gets even crazier than that. According to TopEndSports.com, there are over 500 million baseball fans worldwide, and the vast majority are in the United States and Japan.
So what are the benefits of its popularity? First of all, if you are a fan of baseball, it isn’t hard to find like-minded people to come to watch the game with you, whether that is on the tv or even live.
Also, if you want to play baseball yourself which I highly encourage, it isn’t hard to find a team you can join or even just a group of people who want to play baseball recreationally.
3. Socially rich
If you like to spend time with friends and teammates, there is no better sport than baseball. Socialization and networking with others have the same effect as fresh air. You will begin feeling happier, lighter, and clearer when you interact with others, share some jokes, tips, and insights, and have a good time.
As humans, it’s our nature (usually) to feel good when within a group. Our ancestors thrived within their tribe, and a baseball team can be compared to that.
According to HomeCareAssistance.com, there are various benefits that socialization provides for our mental health;
- Confidence & self-esteem
- Decreased loneliness
- Reduced blood pressure & risk of Alzheimer
- Boosted immunity & resistance to some physical diseases
- Keeps your brain younger and healthier
So if you like to be with other people and do sports together, baseball is something you will love!
4. You need your team to thrive
Another thing that I love about baseball is that it’s all about teamwork! Seriously. In other team sports such as basketball, football, and ice hockey, individuals can dominate quite a bit on the field even when they are team sports.
Baseball, however, is a different breed of team sport. There are nine baseball positions, and each one is vital on its own. Let’s take an example.
If the best batter is at-bat, they will probably make one hell of a swing. However, that’s about it from that individual. Then, the batter needs his team to do well at batting to proceed the bases, eventually coming home.
The same principle can be used in defense as well. If a shortstop throws a ball with great speed and accuracy, it’s up to the receiver to catch it and potentially burn an opponent.
In baseball, you are as good as the weakest player on the team! Why is this great? Because this creates an incredible team spirit, and you get positive cheers and support from the team.
5. Relatively cheap to start
If you are a total beginner, you can start baseball with a relatively small amount of money. Compared to American Football, Ice Hockey, or Alpine Skiing, baseball isn’t expensive. However, if you compare its price to table tennis or badminton, it is more expensive. Let’s take a closer look.
Depending on your desired position and equipment quality standards, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars.
The essential baseball equipment includes;
- Baseball bat
- Baseball balls
- Batting helmet
- Fielding glove
For example, you can get all three of these items for less than $100 from Amazon. Will they be the best equipment you can get? No, but you can for sure get started with them, and as a beginner, you won’t even notice huge differences. However, the costs don’t end here.
Other equipment you might need or want include;
- Cleats/turf shoes
- Baseball uniforms/clothes
- Protective equipment (Athletic cup, Leg guards, Face guard, Chestguard)
- Other training equipment
These can easily add hundreds of dollars to the budget and drive up the total cost.
Finally, it will also cost if you play anywhere else than recreationally by forming or joining a free team.
This includes baseball teams & leagues, lessons, batting cages, and you name it. So it can cost hundreds of dollars per month. However, not necessarily.
It all comes down to your quality standards, needs, and preferences. Baseball is often cheap to start, but the price will often increase when you become more advanced and demanding.
6. You get a good workout
If you aren’t a fan of jogging or going to the gym but are fond of baseball, it’s your lucky day! Baseball is a great full-body workout with various health benefits in different areas of your body. According to healthfitnessrevolution.com, baseball helps you to;
- Increase arm & leg strength
- Improve mental focus and concertation
- Strengthen heart and increase lung capacity
- Enhance your overall fitness level
That’s a load of great benefits for your body and health. In addition, baseball burns calories as well. The average calories burned in one hour of baseball by a person weighing 180lbs is approximately 350kcal. Play two hours of baseball, and you can devour a bag of chips without feeling quilt about it!
7. It isn’t just about the muscles
Another great thing that I love about baseball is that it isn’t ”only the strong will survive” of a sport. There are many demanding skills in addition to pure physical strength, which makes it more skill demanding than forceful.
Think about throwing accuracy, hand-eye coordination, batting, flexibility, and catching. These skills may need years to master, and there are things like reflexes, focus, speed, and other things in play in addition to strength, of course.
Naturally, strength, power, and an athletic body will give you an advantage over others as they often correlate with other skills, but that certainly isn’t all you need!
8. Fan culture is world-class
If I had to list three sports with the most passionate fans and the greatest fan culture, they would be Soccer, American Football, and Baseball.
If you have ever been to a baseball game, you would know that the ambiance and energy are on the roof. There are beer, hot dogs, and snacks being served, you can spot the team mascots somewhere, there can be cheerleaders driving up the feeling, and the crowd cheers echo in the stadium.
A live baseball game is truly an experience to try. Of course, the most loyal fans are found at every game!
I mean, look at this video and imagine being in the crowd. All nights forever to remember!
In addition to the fan culture, culture is present for the players and the whole of America too. For example, baseball players chewing gum is a nationally and even globally known thing representing baseball and what it is like. A funny notice but it’s true!
9. Uniforms make you look incredible
Baseball uniforms are very different when compared to other sports. I mean, you can wear cool jerseys, stylish caps, awesome sunglasses, tight pants, and long socks that make you look like a superstar.
Imagine having a relaxed jersey on, perfectly fitting pants, a cap turned backward, and a pair of mean sunglasses on your face. You will feel like a million bucks, which begs for a homerun.
Another great thing about the uniforms is that your whole team wears them, making you feel like you belong and a sense of unity. Oh, and the uniform often doesen’t cost much. You can even get a great pair of sunglasses for baseball at the cost of a couple of dinners!
10. Baseball is crazy fun
What I most love about baseball is that it is so much fun. Nobody certainly wouldn’t play baseball if they wouldn’t find it enjoyable. Given that baseball is one of the most popular sports in America, it is fun for many people.
What do I love most about baseball? Batting. There is no question about that. I love the adrenaline before the pitcher throws the ball, the sound of the ball’s contact with the bat, and the feeling of the impact. After a good swing, you get to run the bases and feel like a successful hero of the team!
Another incredible feeling that is so much fun is catching the ball. Especially a high ball that you are waiting to catch. It is thrilling, and the feeling of success you get when the ball pops beautifully on your glove is just something I look forward to doing.
Then, of course, throwing successfully is satisfying; sliding to the base just in time, being in the crowd to watch an MLB match, and seeing your teammates succeed and rejoicing with them makes your life much more fun!
11. Baseball and what it represents
Last but not least, I like and admire what baseball represents for the people. Baseball isn’t only one of the most popular sports globally, but it represents hope and better days.
When a new baseball season starts in the spring, and the grey and cold weather get left behind (depending on where you live), sunny and breeze-filled days are coming with it.
Baseball isn’t only a sport and hope, but it’s also a part of American culture. In many ways, baseball represents the American way of life by symbolizing society, sharing joy and victories, and enduring defeat and loss.
To me, baseball can be a way of life in a way, and that’s incredible!
Here You’ll Find My Favorite Baseball Equipment
Thanks for reading this article. I hope it brought you great value that you can implement into your own life! Here are my top baseball equipment recommendations that I think will take your game to the next level. You can find my favorite bat, baseballs, and glove.
- Bat: My favorite baseball bat is the Easton Project 3 Fuze, without question. As I’m not a professional baseball player, I like to use alloy bats as you can swing faster and hit further. I’m a huge fan of the ”ping” sound that aluminum bats are known for. This bat has a composite end cap, reduced post-impact vibrations, balanced swing weight for the fastest swing speed, and a carbon core that makes this bat perform very well!
- Baseballs: Rawlings Competition Grade Practice Balls are my choice for something to hit. I love these balls because they fit all levels of play, so regardless of who you are playing with, you can use these balls. They come in a box of 6 or 12 balls, and you can choose between raised or flat seams! I prefer flat seams as the balls tend to fly further!
- Glove: When it comes to the glove, my choice is the Rawlings Sandlot Glove. I’m a left-hand thrower, but this glove is also available for righties, as most of you are. The same glove is also available for infielders, outfielders, pitchers, catchers, and 1B mitt. Anyways, this glove has a very nice vintage look, and it’s made from oiled leather. It has palm pads that protect your hand from impact, and it is pre-broken-in, so you are good to go as soon as you have it! Oh, and comfort hasn’t been forgotten as it has padded finger linings, so you will love using it.
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