Excerpt
Chapter 1: America’s Favorite Game
The crowd is buzzing. The hot dogs are steaming. A kid holds a glove in one hand and a soda in the other, eyes locked on the field. Then—crack!—the ball flies off the bat. Cheers erupt. The batter races to first base while the outfielder scrambles to grab the ball. Everyone in the stands leans forward, holding their breath. And just like that, baseball does its magic.
At first glance, baseball might seem simple. One person throws a ball. Another tries to hit it. But there's something about it that pulls people in. It’s more than a bat and ball. It’s stories, tradition, and moments that make your heart pound.
Let’s start with how it works, just in case you’re new to it. Each team takes turns playing offense (trying to score runs) and defense (trying to stop the other team from scoring). On offense, players take turns hitting. On defense, one player throws the ball from a mound, and the others are ready to catch or field it. When a batter hits the ball, they try to run around the bases—first, second, third, and home—to score a run. But if the other team catches the ball or tags them out, that’s one step closer to ending the turn.
Sounds easy enough, right? But here’s the thing: even though it looks slow at times, every pitch is a tiny battle. Will the pitcher fool the batter? Will the batter swing at the right time? Will someone steal a base when no one’s looking? There’s always something going on, even if it’s quiet.
Kids and grown-ups love baseball for different reasons. Some people love the sound the bat makes when it hits a home run. Others love the tension when it’s the ninth inning, the bases are loaded, and their team is one run behind. Some fans don’t even care who wins—they just like sitting in the sunshine, eating snacks, and talking with friends.
It’s also a game of traditions. Some fans wear the same lucky shirt to every game. Others keep score on little notepads, marking down every play. People sing songs between innings, like “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” and stand up and cheer when their favorite player steps up to bat.
And then there are the players. Some are superstars with nicknames and big personalities. Others are quiet and just focus on the game. But each one has a story—where they came from, how hard they practiced, what it felt like the first time they hit a grand slam or made a diving catch.
For kids who play baseball themselves, watching a big-league game feels like a peek into the future. Maybe one day that could be them stepping up to bat in front of thousands of cheering fans. Even kids who’ve never played often find a favorite team or player to root for. They memorize stats, collect baseball cards, and follow every game during the season.
What makes baseball really special, though, is how it brings people together. A family might cheer for different teams but still go to games together. A grandparent might teach a grandkid how to keep score or explain what a double play is. Friends meet at ballparks, share popcorn, and high-five when someone hits a home run. Even strangers sitting next to each other can become instant friends during a great game.
And even when the game’s over, it sticks with you. Fans rewatch their favorite plays, talk about strategy, and argue (in a fun way) about who the best player of all time is. People remember specific moments—like the time their team won the championship or their favorite player made an unbelievable catch.
That’s why baseball has lasted through the years. It’s not flashy like some sports, and it doesn’t have non-stop scoring. But it builds excitement, pitch by pitch. It teaches patience, focus, and teamwork. And every now and then, it surprises everyone with something amazing.
Even during hard times in history, baseball was there. During wars, economic struggles, and national tragedies, people kept playing and watching. It gave them something to cheer for when they needed it most.
Of course, not everything in baseball’s history has been fair or fun. Like anything with a long past, it’s had its problems. But the love for the game kept growing, and many fans believe it brings out the best in people.
At its heart, baseball is about more than wins and losses. It’s about trying your best. It’s about coming back from mistakes. It’s about cheering for someone even when they’re not the best on the team—because you believe in them. And that’s something pretty special.
There’s a rhythm to baseball that’s different from most sports. It doesn’t rush. It takes its time. That’s part of the charm. You can settle in, watch the sun go down over the stadium, and just enjoy the game, one play at a time.
And for some people, it’s more than a game. It’s a memory. The first ball they ever caught. The ticket stub from their first game. The time they stayed up late listening to the final inning on the radio. These memories stick with them forever.
Even people who don’t watch every game often know a little about baseball. It’s part of movies, books, schoolyards, and summer camps. The language of baseball—strikeout, homerun, curveball—has become part of everyday talk. People say things like “hit it out of the park” even when they’re not playing at all.
And no matter where you are in the country, chances are there’s a team nearby—major league, minor league, or just a group of kids playing in the park. That’s part of why the sport feels so personal. You don’t need fancy gear or a big stadium. Just a ball, a bat, and someone to play with.
Of course, fans don’t always agree. Some like fast pitchers, others like power hitters. Some love classic teams like the Yankees or Red Sox. Others cheer for the underdogs. That’s part of the fun, too—every fan sees the game in their own way.
Whether someone loves the strategy, the history, the players, or just the peanuts and Cracker Jack, baseball finds a way to mean something a little different to everyone. And for a long time, it was seen as the most American thing there was. People called it America’s pastime. Even though other sports are popular today, baseball still holds a special place.
The crowd is buzzing. The hot dogs are steaming. A kid holds a glove in one hand and a soda in the other, eyes locked on the field. Then—crack!—the ball flies off the bat. Cheers erupt. The batter races to first base while the outfielder scrambles to grab the ball. Everyone in the stands leans forward, holding their breath. And just like that, baseball does its magic.
At first glance, baseball might seem simple. One person throws a ball. Another tries to hit it. But there's something about it that pulls people in. It’s more than a bat and ball. It’s stories, tradition, and moments that make your heart pound.
Let’s start with how it works, just in case you’re new to it. Each team takes turns playing offense (trying to score runs) and defense (trying to stop the other team from scoring). On offense, players take turns hitting. On defense, one player throws the ball from a mound, and the others are ready to catch or field it. When a batter hits the ball, they try to run around the bases—first, second, third, and home—to score a run. But if the other team catches the ball or tags them out, that’s one step closer to ending the turn.
Sounds easy enough, right? But here’s the thing: even though it looks slow at times, every pitch is a tiny battle. Will the pitcher fool the batter? Will the batter swing at the right time? Will someone steal a base when no one’s looking? There’s always something going on, even if it’s quiet.
Kids and grown-ups love baseball for different reasons. Some people love the sound the bat makes when it hits a home run. Others love the tension when it’s the ninth inning, the bases are loaded, and their team is one run behind. Some fans don’t even care who wins—they just like sitting in the sunshine, eating snacks, and talking with friends.
It’s also a game of traditions. Some fans wear the same lucky shirt to every game. Others keep score on little notepads, marking down every play. People sing songs between innings, like “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” and stand up and cheer when their favorite player steps up to bat.
And then there are the players. Some are superstars with nicknames and big personalities. Others are quiet and just focus on the game. But each one has a story—where they came from, how hard they practiced, what it felt like the first time they hit a grand slam or made a diving catch.
For kids who play baseball themselves, watching a big-league game feels like a peek into the future. Maybe one day that could be them stepping up to bat in front of thousands of cheering fans. Even kids who’ve never played often find a favorite team or player to root for. They memorize stats, collect baseball cards, and follow every game during the season.
What makes baseball really special, though, is how it brings people together. A family might cheer for different teams but still go to games together. A grandparent might teach a grandkid how to keep score or explain what a double play is. Friends meet at ballparks, share popcorn, and high-five when someone hits a home run. Even strangers sitting next to each other can become instant friends during a great game.
And even when the game’s over, it sticks with you. Fans rewatch their favorite plays, talk about strategy, and argue (in a fun way) about who the best player of all time is. People remember specific moments—like the time their team won the championship or their favorite player made an unbelievable catch.
That’s why baseball has lasted through the years. It’s not flashy like some sports, and it doesn’t have non-stop scoring. But it builds excitement, pitch by pitch. It teaches patience, focus, and teamwork. And every now and then, it surprises everyone with something amazing.
Even during hard times in history, baseball was there. During wars, economic struggles, and national tragedies, people kept playing and watching. It gave them something to cheer for when they needed it most.
Of course, not everything in baseball’s history has been fair or fun. Like anything with a long past, it’s had its problems. But the love for the game kept growing, and many fans believe it brings out the best in people.
At its heart, baseball is about more than wins and losses. It’s about trying your best. It’s about coming back from mistakes. It’s about cheering for someone even when they’re not the best on the team—because you believe in them. And that’s something pretty special.
There’s a rhythm to baseball that’s different from most sports. It doesn’t rush. It takes its time. That’s part of the charm. You can settle in, watch the sun go down over the stadium, and just enjoy the game, one play at a time.
And for some people, it’s more than a game. It’s a memory. The first ball they ever caught. The ticket stub from their first game. The time they stayed up late listening to the final inning on the radio. These memories stick with them forever.
Even people who don’t watch every game often know a little about baseball. It’s part of movies, books, schoolyards, and summer camps. The language of baseball—strikeout, homerun, curveball—has become part of everyday talk. People say things like “hit it out of the park” even when they’re not playing at all.
And no matter where you are in the country, chances are there’s a team nearby—major league, minor league, or just a group of kids playing in the park. That’s part of why the sport feels so personal. You don’t need fancy gear or a big stadium. Just a ball, a bat, and someone to play with.
Of course, fans don’t always agree. Some like fast pitchers, others like power hitters. Some love classic teams like the Yankees or Red Sox. Others cheer for the underdogs. That’s part of the fun, too—every fan sees the game in their own way.
Whether someone loves the strategy, the history, the players, or just the peanuts and Cracker Jack, baseball finds a way to mean something a little different to everyone. And for a long time, it was seen as the most American thing there was. People called it America’s pastime. Even though other sports are popular today, baseball still holds a special place.