10 Great Things About Baseball.

Baseball Mirrors Life.

Here are ten great things about baseball:

1. Baseball is about overcoming failure. Batters strike out and try again. This is the way life works. Who among us hasn’t struck out, dusted ourselves off, and started all over again? Even the best of us need a second chance. Life, like baseball, gives us all the chances we’re willing to take as long as we don’t quit.

2. Great hitters only succeed thirty to forty percent of the time. The rest of the time, they fail. This tells us there is no shame in failure. You can do better next time. Hank Aaron, one of the all-time great batters, had a career average of .305. Hitting the ball thirty percent of the time qualified him for the Hall of Fame. I’ve never heard an announcer say that a batter who struck out acted ashamed—angry, yes—but not ashamed.

3. Errors count in baseball as in life. As much as we dislike when it happens, we make errors. We have flaws, we blunder, we mismanage, we make mistakes, we misunderstand, we misjudge—and much more. In baseball, players’ errors may change the outcome of games, or they may not. “Dodging a bullet” is the best anyone can hope for. In the aftermath, learning from errors and vowing to do better next time is a worthwhile path. If we are fortunate, kindness and compassion will ease disappointment. Alexander Pope, the English poet, reduced the predicament to a few pithy words, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

4. A batter may “sacrifice” so that an on-base runner may advance. To give up something for a higher purpose is the nobler part of the human condition. Nathan Hale, an American patriot, is remembered for saying, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Whether a sacrifice is made for family, friends, community, or country, the individual acts to serve the greater good—an ethic worthy of admiration and respect. The team spirit of baseball supports this American value.

5. Caught in a pickle. A base runner, caught stealing between bases, tries to avoid being tagged out. This play is known as a run-down. Whichever way the runner turns, a fielder is attempting to tag him. Tension is high. There is no easy way out for the runner. Why does this happen? The runner took a risk in trying to steal a base. The life lesson is clear: When you try to steal, there is a good chance that you’ll be caught and pay the price.

6. Balk: a pitcher’s move designed to intentionally deceive base runners. Deception is, in effect, a lie. Baseball insists on honesty between opponents. Let the contest be fair. If you behave as if you intend to throw the ball—then throw it. Otherwise, you are creating a falsehood. Life, like baseball, is hard enough without trickery and treachery.

7. Relief. When the pitcher has done his best and the game goes against him, relief is welcome—for the benefit of the team. Everyone can use a little help now and then. Permitting help from a teammate is part of the wisdom in baseball. “A friend in need is friend indeed.”

8. Slow speed of the game. Baseball is slow because it allows time for thought by managers, coaches, and players. The pace of the game for fans is generally relaxing. You can complete the Sunday Times crossword puzzle and still not miss any of the action.

9. Food. A special event calls for special food: hot dogs, beer, soda, peanuts, popcorn, and ice cream add to the flavor of the game. The call of the vendor rings out loud and clear, like peacock seeking a mate, “Peanuts! Peanuts!—Get your peanuts here.”

10. Singing the national anthem. What could be more stirring than the feeling of community shared among citizens, together in song, honoring their flag and country?