That question is almost as daunting as asking the meaning of life. I’m not trying to over-dramatize it but baseball is so much more than a game or a sport or even, as it’s been labeled: America’s Pastime. It is people, culture, sights, sounds, memories, family, and friendships … truly a vehicle to finding balance in my life. Baseball is a blessing.
I never had the athletic talent to play baseball like my grandmother who played professional women’s baseball for the Acos Candy Kids during WWII. The closest I came to that realm was playing an extra (fan in the stands along the first baseline) for the movie, “A League of Their Own.” That experience was made special due to it being shot on location at Bosse Field – built in 1915 and the third-oldest ballpark still in regular use in the US – because it was across the street from my grandmother’s house. I have many fond memories of walking over to Bosse Field to watch the AAA Evansville Triplets (Tigers affiliate).
School, career, and other interests took the place of baseball for many years – not that I still didn’t have a huge appreciation for it but it simply wasn’t a priority.
Having a son who later wanted to play Little League changed all that because the next thing I knew, I was at the ballpark several days a week and every weekend. And as all the parents of Little Leaguers know, it’s more than going to practice or attending the games; it is the team banner, working the snack shack, ensuring the uniforms are ready, and serving as scorekeeper.
Eventually, with all his baseball playing, my son really wanted to attend some Padres game. Being a single parent, money was tight but a friend at church offered us tickets to numerous games for two years. We were hooked. We not only enjoyed the games but also found it was truly a way for us to connect and share a common love. I was then able to secure season tickets on my own and we made going to the ballpark a regular event. We also decided to make it a quest to visit every MLB ballpark together.
My son is now 18 and, to date, we have made it to 22 MLB ballparks and are determined to finish them all – together!
For the past eight years baseball has taken on a much more prominent position in my schedule. My baseball season officially starts with Spring Training in in Arizona followed by full-season tickets with the San Diego Padres, trips to MiLB stadiums in the area throughout the year, and at least one baseball road trip with my son. The past couple of years we have finished the season with a late October trip to the Arizona Fall League. I can’t stress enough how much fun Spring Training and the Fall League are – every true baseball fan needs to experience each of these at least once.
Once the season starts, we are all-in! My very favorite part of going to a baseball game is batting practice. I love that you can sit wherever you want (in most ballparks), get up close and personal with the players, and watch them interact with one another, their manager, and the fans. It’s a time where these highly paid, competitive athletes are truly enjoying the sport like they did when they played Little League.
It is relaxing and peaceful to be in the ballpark when the gates first open where I can have a conversation with my son and my baseball friends and where I can chat with a player along the sidelines. It’s the smell of the freshly cut grass and the vendors getting their food prepped for the day. It’s the look of someone coming into “my” ballpark for the first time and being able to guide them to a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It’s saying hello to the fantastic ushers and all the smiling faces that work at our ballpark. It’s stopping by our favorite eateries in the ballpark to say hi to the staff and maybe grab a bite. It is cheering on my team – win or lose. It is familiarity and comfort. It is home. Baseball is a blessing.
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Dr. Rebecca Herman has a PhD in Organization and Management. She is a graduate professor of leadership at Kaplan University, professional speaker, volunteer leader for Alpha Omicron Pi fraternity, and a baseball blogger for Padres360. Rebecca is also the co-author of “Lead Me Out to the Ballgame: Stories and Strategies to Develop Major League Leadership” – she and her co-author interviewed 17 MLB managers, 19 MLB teams, and over 100 players and front office personnel while researching the book. Dr. Herman is the founder of Winning Culture Leadership – Aligning Strategy and Culture to Create a Powerful Competitive Advantage!
Read more from Rebecca on the Padres360 site and follow Padres on Facebook.