How do I become a MLB fan?

[bladder23]

It's going to be another 4 months before the start of the NBA season and , I have made the decision to become a MLB (Blue Jays) fan. I have already tried this and failed 2 years ago because I felt it was too slow of a game.

Unlike the NBA, there are games like 5 times a week so this should be pretty entertaining.

This should be a good time. The season is nearing its end and the playoffs are coming up.

Now I just need somewhere to start. I am familiar with basic MLB stuff but i would like to know more. Is there like a guide to the MLB (terms etc) for noobs?

 

[fredhe12]

Go to a game. There's nothing like the ballpark...even in Toronto

 

[Skeeedunt]

Lobotomy.

 

[The Sauce]

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Lobotomy.

QFT

 

[Sid59]

being at the stadium is far better than watching a complete game at home. i always enjoy the fans and events at the stadium.

 

[SludgeFactory]

Go to games with somebody who's a big baseball fan and will explain things to you when they happen. It doesn't have to be major league games.

Might be better if it's not a major league game actually

 

[ric1287]

kinda hard to start being a fan 2/3 into the season with a crappy team Cheer on the big hurt and doc holliday.

 

[mooglemania85]

Meh, just wait for the MLB playoffs.

Better to get excited about the NFL! Season kicks off Thursday, Sep. 6!

 

[Yossarian]

Tim McCarver's book

he's pretty annoying to listen to during a broadcast but this book will tell you a lot about the intricacies of the game.

 

[rocadelpunk]

start going to triple a games for dime a dog night

then start going with friends to big stadium games

most importantly...play fantasy baseball

 

[yankeesfan]

A Blue Jays fan, huh? You are looking forward to a future of misery.

 

[oogabooga]

play baseball.

Join a league with friends, or just go to batting cages, throw a ball around, try to do what the pros do.

AFter failing miserably to be even adept at the basics of the sport (and likely you will be) you'll really appreciate the pros. Routine double play won't seem so easy after you try to get a single person out when they hit the ball right to you and you have to throw to first.

 

[fredhe12]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
Tim McCarver's book

he's pretty annoying to listen to during a broadcast but this book will tell you a lot about the intricacies of the game.

McCarver = MOTO

 

[Playmaker]

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Lobotomy.

I would think the fast-paced, mindless action of an NFL or (especially) an NBA game would be more conducive to an individual with below average intelligence.

Baseball, on the other hand, has strategies and intricacies that those who never played the game would have difficulty understanding. In addition, with baseball, the treatment of the game by Bill James, et al., allows it to appeal to a more intelligent fan than most other sports.

To the OP, too late for this season, but try fantasy baseball next year. If you're a competitive person, becoming a knowledgeable MLB fan would be inevitable.

 

[Reckoner]

Become an NFL Fan instead

 

[Drako]

HDTV and beer.

I used to hate baseball, now I actaually watch it on occasion.

 

[Chiboy]

If you want to be a Blue Jays fan, find out about some classic games that involved the Blue Jays & watch them... If you get into great, if not you will never be a fan.

 

[DainBramaged]

Blue Jays? haha...why bother?

 

[Jschmuck2]

Two Words:

Fantasy Baseball.

Get on it and you'll be hooked. Don't say I didn't warn you.

 

[BigJ]

How do you enjoy baseball?

With lots of beer and lots of friends. Especially if you have two clubs in your city.

 

[EvilYoda]

You don't...you watch highlights on SC because there's nothing else on and you patiently await college and pro football.

PRESEASON STARTS TOMORROW. (go...Lions?)

 

[bladder23]

Originally posted by: Playmaker

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Lobotomy.

I would think the fast-paced, mindless action of an NFL or (especially) an NBA game would be more conducive to an individual with below average intelligence.

Baseball, on the other hand, has strategies and intricacies that those who never played the game would have difficulty understanding. In addition, with baseball, the treatment of the game by Bill James, et al., allows it to appeal to a more intelligent fan than most other sports.

To the OP, too late for this season, but try fantasy baseball next year. If you're a competitive person, becoming a knowledgeable MLB fan would be inevitable.

I dont really see how theres any strategy in baseball.

On offense, you try to hit the ball

On d, just strike out/get the person out

but the nba on the other hand...

 

[jinduy]

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: Playmaker

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Lobotomy.

I would think the fast-paced, mindless action of an NFL or (especially) an NBA game would be more conducive to an individual with below average intelligence.

Baseball, on the other hand, has strategies and intricacies that those who never played the game would have difficulty understanding. In addition, with baseball, the treatment of the game by Bill James, et al., allows it to appeal to a more intelligent fan than most other sports.

To the OP, too late for this season, but try fantasy baseball next year. If you're a competitive person, becoming a knowledgeable MLB fan would be inevitable.

I dont really see how theres any strategy in baseball.

On offense, you try to hit the ball

On d, just strike out/get the person out

but the nba on the other hand...

no baseball is awesome because players and coaches do sign language to communicate to each other (ie pinch nose, bite thumb, wiggle ears, etc)

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: Playmaker

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Lobotomy.

I would think the fast-paced, mindless action of an NFL or (especially) an NBA game would be more conducive to an individual with below average intelligence.

Baseball, on the other hand, has strategies and intricacies that those who never played the game would have difficulty understanding. In addition, with baseball, the treatment of the game by Bill James, et al., allows it to appeal to a more intelligent fan than most other sports.

To the OP, too late for this season, but try fantasy baseball next year. If you're a competitive person, becoming a knowledgeable MLB fan would be inevitable.

I dont really see how theres any strategy in baseball.

On offense, you try to hit the ball

On d, just strike out/get the person out

but the nba on the other hand...

:roll:

<stupid counter-argument>I don't see how there is any strategy in basketball. On offense you try to score. On defense you try to stop them from scoring.</stupid counter-argument>


Baseball is full of strategy. The hundreds of thousands of statistics collected during each and every game play a factor in deciding how to approach certain players or certain games. Some better-known strategies:

Suicide squeeze, hit and run, steal, pitch out, sacrifice bunts, sacrifice flies, where to position fielders based on the batter's statistics, how to attack certain batters, when to pull your starting pitcher for relievers, when to use a pinch hitter, when to use a pinch runner, and even who should cover what base depending on where the ball goes.

 

[Playmaker]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: Playmaker

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Lobotomy.

I would think the fast-paced, mindless action of an NFL or (especially) an NBA game would be more conducive to an individual with below average intelligence.

Baseball, on the other hand, has strategies and intricacies that those who never played the game would have difficulty understanding. In addition, with baseball, the treatment of the game by Bill James, et al., allows it to appeal to a more intelligent fan than most other sports.

To the OP, too late for this season, but try fantasy baseball next year. If you're a competitive person, becoming a knowledgeable MLB fan would be inevitable.

I dont really see how theres any strategy in baseball.

On offense, you try to hit the ball

On d, just strike out/get the person out

but the nba on the other hand...

:roll:

<stupid counter-argument>I don't see how there is any strategy in basketball. On offense you try to score. On defense you try to stop them from scoring.</stupid counter-argument>


Baseball is full of strategy. The hundreds of thousands of statistics collected during each and every game play a factor in deciding how to approach certain players or certain games. Some better-known strategies:

Suicide squeeze, hit and run, steal, pitch out, sacrifice bunts, sacrifice flies, where to position fielders based on the batter's statistics, how to attack certain batters, when to pull your starting pitcher for relievers, when to use a pinch hitter, when to use a pinch runner, and even who should cover what base depending on where the ball goes.

Exactly. Baseball is just so much more interesting from a statistical standpoint. Every aspect of every play can have an expected value as far as runs are concerned. The ability to value both players and strategies with this methodology, from identifying inefficiencies to be exploited and how they should affect decision-making, puts baseball on a whole different level as far as intellectual appeal.