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The Texas Rangers celebrate winning the 2010 American League Division Series.

Saturday afternoon, I attended Game 2 of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees. The Rangers won, tying the series 1-1, and all was right with the world.

I went to the game by myself for a few reasons. One, I was too lazy to ask anyone to go with me. I get uncomfortable asking people to spend money on things they’re not passionate about, and I didn’t want to deal with it. Two, most people I know don’t like baseball. It’s too long and slow/boring are the usual complaints.

I understand why they think that way, but I disagree. I’m not trying to convince anyone that they should love baseball like I do. We all have our likes and dislikes and I do my best not to ridicule other people’s hobbies because I’ve been on the other end plenty of times for my choices. But I do want to tell you why I love the American pastime.

Too long?

The games usually last around 3 hours, which is the same amount football games last.

Too slow/boring?

I love baseball because each play could be “The Play.” Each pitch has the potential to be fantastic or demoralizing for your team. You just never know, which pitch is going to be THE pitch. The next pitch could be a wild pitch that sends the winning run home or the strikeout that gets you out a bases loaded jam. You just never know.

For instance, in the American League Division Series’ game two, Michael Young (my favorite player by the way) started to swing, but held up. If the umpire thought he’d gone too far, he would have struck out. But the umpire said he stopped in time, so he got another shot. Young hit a three-run homerun. The Rangers won the game and life was good.

How can that edge of your seat anticipation be boring?

I love baseball.

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