Do you believe in Baseball?

I believe in baseball.
I believe in competition and comraderie.
I believe in brackets, bubble-gum and bang-bang plays.
I believe that attendance and preparation wins games.

I believe that there is more to being a good batter than just being a good hitter.
I believe in being relaxed on defence until the batter lifts his front foot.
I believe it's ok to use defensive shifts and to play the odds and head games.

I believe in taking my turn to coach the base across the field from our dugout.
I believe in checking on the condition of injured opponents.
I believe players should applaud opponents after they make great defensive plays.

I believe players get better with age.
I believe 40 lb curls are better than 12 ounce ones.
I believe taking winter BP with a cheap bat helps me to hit summer homers with an expensive bat.

I believe in running out routine grounders and lazy fly balls no matter how frustrated I am.
I believe it is better to be a smart base runner than a fast one.
I believe in scoring from 3rd base on a double play ball and from 2nd on a very deep fly ball.

I believe in the nervous anticipation of a play at the plate.
I believe in the quiet buzz in the dugout when the defence is underestimating a hitter's power.
I believe in the magical moment of recognition after contact on a "no-doubter" home run.

I believe in catchers who talk junk and pitchers who throw it.
I believe in infielders who think that getting dirty is part of the job description.
I believe in fast outfielders who do not hug the lines or play too deep.

I believe that rattling bats can wake them up, and uncrossing them can avoid bad luck.
I believe in wiping the morning dew off of a ball, and squinting into the sunset.
I believe that I'll see a 3-6-1 double play again someday.

I believe in saving an equipment catalogue until the next issue replaces it.
I believe photos, autographed balls and scorebook pages can be better than trophies or T-shirts.
I believe there is no off-season, just a longer wait until the next game.

I believe in the butterflies of opening day, and the long drive home after the final game.
I believe in a small child in an oversized jersey retrieving Daddy's bat.
I believe in showing appreciation to your family and friends who came to watch you play.

I believe in thanking the umpires when the game is over, regardless of the score.
I believe the final score is a part of the overall experience.
I believe in enjoying games in the twilight and respecting careers in theirs.

I believe in baseball.

Adapted from "I believe in Softball", by Jim Ramsey. Originally appeared in Softball Magazine.