By: Jayann Kellogg
Unlike many baseball fans, I didn’t grow up in a household with love for the sport. To name a few, we watched football and basketball, but baseball was “boring,” something my mother still says to this day. If I had realized how much baseball was in my life at an early age, I would have loved it at a much earlier age. Growing up in central Washington, everyone was a Mariner’s fan. We attended a Mariners game for an eighth-grade field trip, but I had no interest in being there. I remember from that trip hunting down the Dippin’ Dots vendors and eating my weight in Dippin’ Dots.
I had the honor of calling my mother’s step brother’s father-in-law Hub Kittle, former pitching coach of the Houston Astros, and St. Louis Cardinals organizations family. As you can imagine, since I wasn’t even introduced to how fun baseball could be, I never cared to ask “Grandpa Hub” about the game. Man, the things I would love to talk to him about now. I know for sure that I would get an ear full about being a Dodgers fan. After all, he continued to love the Cardinals well into his retirement.
My love for baseball didn’t come to light until my husband asked me if I wanted to watch a Dodgers game on television with him, telling me that if I had any questions, I could, of course, ask him. My husband is a huge sports fan and has done very well at educating himself on the rules of various sports and knowing the statistics of many individual players. The first inning was underway, and I was blown away. The players had a contagious, fun attitude. These were the days of Yasiel Puig and Chase Utley. I was immediately hooked. I quickly realized that baseball was more than three strikes and hitting a ball with a wooden bat. No, there were rules and strategies, too. Some are very complex, such as the infield fly rule, and others are self-explanatory. As the season progressed, I found myself wanting to watch more Dodgers baseball. A LOT more. All 162 games and, of course, spring training too. I was hooked.
Once my husband knew that I loved baseball, he made sure to surprise me by purchasing tickets to see the Dodgers play the Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA. I was pumped! This time it was not because of my goal to eat my weight in Dippin’ Dots, no this time, it was to see my team play live on the field finally. Not only did my husband surprise me with the tickets, but our seats were terrific. I was right where I wanted to be – in right field … right next to Yasiel Puig.
As a non-California Dodger fan, getting to see the Dodgers play live in person, and being part of it, was so special and so much fun. Additionally, being there to witness a rare ‘immaculate inning’ thrown by Dodgers left-hander (and Forest Grove, OR native) Zac Rosscup was nerve-racking but awesome. At one point, I think I forgot to breathe. I was so nervous! But he did it – three strikeouts on nine pitches … and I was there for it! Leaving a packed stadium with a Dodgers win and with a large group of fans yelling “Let’s Go Dodgers!” is a memory I will never forget.
Many Dodgers fans have had the opportunity to attend a game at Dodger Stadium. I have yet to go to a game at the ravine, but when I do, I know that it will be a memory I will never forget. I continue to learn more about the game and am blessed to have the opportunity to write for a Dodgers blog site that is made up of “Dodger fans by Dodger fans,” ThinkBlueLA.com, stop by and give us a read. We have a different perspective of the game like no other site.
Baseball has opened the doors of many opportunities that I would not have the honor to pursue in my everyday career. I have formed many close friendships by being a fan of the game. Every one of them is unique. I enjoy talking with fans of the game at work and enjoy educating people when they are not sure of my “double play” shirt and its meaning. Most people find interest in the fact that you can score a baseball game, which in return, I encourage them to look into how to score a game if they show interest.
Baseball has always been there for me, whether it be a distraction from everyday busy life or just plain sports enjoyment. I would encourage every reader to find a way to spread the love of the game to the next generation. Break the predetermined “boring” stigma and pass on the small things that make baseball that much fun. From scoring to understanding the various traditions of the game and the deep history that baseball has.
Don’t let anyone else think that baseball is boring.