Ok folks, I haven’t blogged for a few days, primarily cause I’ve been bogged down with some uni work. In the meantime, with pitchers and catchers set to report in just 6 days, I’ve been jotting down some things that I’m most excited to see in the upcoming baseball season. 

So here goes, in no particular order (they’re just numbered cause I think it gives it a sense of organisation):

10. The sounds of the game. There’s nothing better than sitting at the park and just hearing the therapeutic sound that is cowhide meeting leather once again. Or the ‘crack’ of the bat. Or maybe it’s just a vendor advertising products that you could get anywhere else in the country for half the price, but just wouldn’t taste half as good as they are at the ballpark. Perhaps its just being there at the game. Taking it all in. Hearing the roar of hope from the crowd as everyone rises from their seats to watch the majestic path of another Albert Pujols bomb. Or the groans as that stud reliever for the ‘other team’ strikes out your best hitter on a 3-2 count with the bases loaded and your team down by a run. Or maybe it’s just the sound of silence. When I got the chance to go to some games last August and September (13 to be exact!), the first thing that I remember realising is how nice it is to just watch a game without any commentary. I’m so used to watching games on tv, that at first, I almost felt lost. It felt like I needed help. If I looked away for one second, I might miss some of the action. But after a while, I realised that this made me focus more on the game, and I got more out of it. So with no commentary, no analysis, it was just the sweet sounds of baseball. It’s just you, the game, and most of the time, a gorgeous day. 

9. Watching a game (albeit on tv) from brand new Target Field. I honestly don’t think I can contain my excitement about the Twins finally moving outdoors. Seriously. I used to hate watching games on tv from the Metrodome. It just had that echo about it. Just didn’t feel like baseball at all. But now, the Twins have got one of the nicest looking parks in the game. Seriously. So nice in fact, that I’m planning on trying to visit it either this season or next. 

8. Listening to some truly great calls in the 2010 season. Thank the heavens that Vin Scully announced he was returning to broadcast Dodger baseball this season for a record 60th season. Seriously, that’s incredible. What’s even more incredible is that fact that Vin does it going solo. No colour commentary here please. You know, everyone has guys in the booth that they love and guys that they just can’t stand listening to. For me, Scully is incredible. it’s not just how he sounds though. It’s how intense Scully is. He’s got a story for everyone, from rookies stepping to the plate (from either team I might add), to veteran starting pitchers, to coaches who have been around the game as long as Vin himself has. I’m going to make a dedicated effort to listen to a couple of Scully’s broadcasts this season, cause it might be his last year with the Dodgers. 

7. Speaking of great calls, I really can’t wait for the return of ESPN’s Sunday night baseball. For those of you that haven’t heard already here’s the schedule for the first couple months of the year. When first started watching baseball back in 2000, the only tv coverage I could get of baseball was ESPN’s Sunday night baseball way back on UK tv’s channel 5. It’d be John Miller, Joe Morgan, me and a game that I was vigorously trying to get to grips with. And I loved every minute of it. So whenever I watch Sunday night baseball these days, it’s takes me back to those happy times when I’d rush home from school, put my tape in the video machine and watch the Sunday night game of the week. Speaking of John Miller, I just love the guy. The way he calls the game is totally different from Scully, but again, I just can’t get enough. His voice just captures the excitement of every game and elevates it to another level. His games have so much character, so much life, that even the most simple play can feel like it’s a turning point of a game. It’s attention grabbing. Miller takes baseball’s many microcosms and makes them into a metropolis. Whether it be a ‘SAFE’ on a play at the plate or ‘A HOME RUN’, it doesn’t matter. I could watch every game that I’ve ever seen John Miller call again and it’d be just as entertaining. I don’t think Giants fans know how lucky they are to have Mr Miller calling their games on the radio every year. On a side note, congrats to John on winning the Ford Frick award. It’s about time. 

6. The return of the ‘Sunday problem’ If you ever read this entry I once wrote, then you’d know straight off what I’m on about. Now, this might sound like a complaint, but in reality, it’s the perfect problem. There’s just something I love about Sunday’s during baseball season. I think it boils down to the fact that its the only time during the week that every single game on the baseball schedule takes place during daylight hours here in the UK. That way, I can watch games live, and flip between multiple games while they’re actually going on. This might not sound like much, but on every other day of the regular season, waking up in the morning and  flipping through the archives to watch games that are already done, it’s not quite the same. 

5. Scoring. Ever since I scored my first game way back in 2000, I was hooked. It’s such a simple art, yet at the same time, so much fun and fascinating. No two people will ever score the same way, and that’s perhaps what makes it so interesting. I could pick up a scorecard of mine from a game 5 years ago and know instantly what I’m on about, but someone else who picked up the same card might not. The second great thing about scoring is that instantly you have a memory of that game other than the memories in your head. I could pick up Justin Verlander’s gem against the Cleveland Indians back on May 8th 2009, take one look at the game and instantly remember Curtis Granderson’s game saving catch with 1 on and one out in the bottom of the 9th to preserve a 1-0 Tigers victory and Verlander shutout. 

Another thing that I love about scoring is that it keeps you in the game. I like to keep a record of the count in each at bat, so that I’m always paying attention to the action. This past year I also started keeping a note of pitch counts too, so that instantly, you’ve got a record of some stats without having to go anywhere. And for me, when I’m watching games as-live, that’;s pretty important, cause I can’t go click on mlb.com and draw up the gameday application and check out the stats without blowing the result of the game. 

4. Browsing the box scores. Boy do I love doing this. There’s nothing better than logging onto mlb.com in the morning and checking how many k’s Tim Lincecum had the previous night, whether your favourite team won or lost and how it affects the standings, who had a 4 for 4 night, or who threw a shutout. Even better is the prospect that you might find out something special, like a perfect game, or a no hitter, or a cycle. For the record, I find browsing the box scores just to be therapeutic and relaxing. While I’d love to be able to read them in a paper, which is impossible for me in the UK, mlb.com is awesom
e. They’ve got clips of the best plays right there on the same page as the box score, and of course, every player’s page is just a click away, so for a stat nut like me, I can easily check out how many points Albert Pujols 3-3 night bumped him up, or how many consecutive saves Mariano Rivera now has. It’s beautiful. 

3. Checking the pitching probables. This is another one of my favourite ‘pastimes’ during baseball season. Before the first game of each day, I always peruse the probables over at mlb.com just for general interest. Of course, this also enables me to bump into some truly awesome matchups, and if I’ve got nothing going on the next day or late that evening, I might just stay up late and watch a couple innings or even watch the whole thing or the rest of the game the next day. Usually, I’ll jump ahead a couple days as well so I can plan on watching a couple of different matchups too. For me there’s perhaps nothing better than just tuning in and watching a random game every now and then. Especially on sundays. By the end of the season, I usually try to ensure that I’ve watched at least 1 game played by everyteam, and although this never happens, it’s a nice goal that I like to set for myself. Maybe I’ll get round to it this year. 

2. Following favourite players and the potential that I might get to see some live games. Seriously, I get attached to certain players. Everyone’s got their own faves, and for me it seems, the list just keeps on growing. Now, there are certain circumstances when guys get removed from my list. Take Jake Peavy for instance. I absolutely love the guy. His work ethic, his stuff, his attitude, mound presence, drive, determination, you name it, I love it. But, being a Tigers fan, now that number 44 is on the south side of the Windy City, I can no longer give him my undivided support. And boy was I ever annoyed when he was traded to the Sox. So currently, I’d have to take Tim Lincecum, Albert Pujols, Heath Bell and Justin Verlander as the guys that are at the top of my list. It’s just great following these guys throughout the year, and it reminds me of the days when I’d avidly follow Eric Gagne’s every move as closer of the Dodgers. ‘Game over’ was fun. Too bad it ended so fast. Here’s hoping Gagne can hook on with the Phillies for the upcoming season. 

In a tie here is also the thought that I might be able to hop on a plane and see some live games. I managed to do this late last season, and I’m sure glad that I did. (big thanks to my cousin Jessica for helping me out here i might add!!) Having not watched live baseball for 2 years, it was truly amazing. And oh yea, I rediscovered my addiction for pretzels too. I’ve now visited 5 AL ballparks (Comerica, US Cellular, Jacobs field (it was when I went!!!), Fenway and the Mausoleum in Oakland) and 7 NL ballparks (Wrigley, Busch Stadium III, PNC Park, Shea Stadium, Citizens Bank Park, Dodger Stadium and AT&T Park). Where next? Who knows. But it’s always fun to browse the schedules and see where I COULD end up. 

1. Opening day. Nothing during baseball season is as good as Opening day. Seriously. Not even the World Series (Ok, maybe if the Tigers won the fall classic). It’s just so symbolic in so many ways. Summer’s on it’s way. Every team is 0-0. The dream is still alive for every team (Yes, that includes you Pittsburgh). Each matchup is a beauty, with staff aces starting for every team in the league. You just can’t go wrong. Even better, ESPN usually broadcasts 4 games, and most importantly from a personal perspective, the majority are played during daylight hours here in the UK. So, I can eat dinner, and then unwind with an evening of ball for the first time in months. And oh yea, the morning of Opening day always starts by watching the first Sunday night game of the year. This year’s matchup will be a gem. Red Sox/Yankees from Fenway. Pitching matchup tbd. But I can guarantee it’ll be CC for the Bombers and for the Sox? Jon Lester? Lackey? Beckett? Daisuke? Whatever, it’s going to be a gem. Last year I missed opening day because I was in Hong Kong, so rest assured I’ll be making the most of this tremendous day this year. Aside from Red Sox/Yankees, I’ll be making a determined effort to watch the Tigers/Royals, and I’ll probably check in on Phillies/Nationals and the Cubs/Braves.  As there are no day games on the tuesday, I’ll probably be watching the Giants/Astros game from that day as well. Oh the joys of baseball are almost back!!

Honorable mention: 

Following prospects. Again, this is another of my favourite things to do during the season. I’ll regularly check milb.com and get updates on who’s hot, who’s not etc etc. I’ll also be getting the Baseball America prospect handbook for the 3rd season in a row, and it’s a truly brilliant book if you love following the future stars of the game. 

5 days and counting till pitchers and catchers report! Bring on the summer!