Happiness

Win or lose, baseball makes me happy. From watching my favorite players make great plays or hit home runs, to seeing a pitcher’s duel unfold before my very eyes.

There’s just something about the dirt, the grass, and the crack of the bat that puts me in a great mood. Anytime Visit a baseball field I find myself grinning from ear to ear. Sure, I’ve cried after a few games – yes, I know there’s no crying in baseball – but for the most part, baseball has always been there for me and making me happy. Being at games has brought me many opportunities for happiness from spending time with family, friends, and other fans to allowing me the opportunity to continue writing and taking pictures when I thought that would no longer be an option for me.

Hope

Because baseball has always been there for me, it’s something I can rely on. Every year, rain or shine, baseball has been an option for me to get out of the house, visit with friends and family, and enjoy three hours of entertainment. Because baseball is a constant, I know we can get through this time of uncertainty and that we will be rewarded when we do. By taking care of ourselves in the present, we will get baseball back in the future. It’s a bright light at the end of the dark tunnel ahead of us, but it’s something to look forward to.

A Solution

I have had anxiety for a very long time, getting so bad that I would occasionally try and stay home from school because I was constantly nervous. It got better as I made my way through high school, but upon starting college, I got extremely nervous. I did an overnight orientation that made me homesick, causing me to cry, worry, avoid food, and even hyperventilate as it got closer to bedtime. I was sent to my room where I realized I could listen to a baseball game. I did just that and instantly started to feel better. Over the years I have gone to more and more games, practicing my scorekeeping and photo taking while meeting new people and branching out from my usual shy self. I even went to Arizona by myself for a weekend last Spring Training despite having separation anxiety. It was a hard trip but it turned out to be worth it in the end. 

The World

Because baseball means happiness, hope, and a solution to me, it also means the world to me. I have been going to games since I was two weeks old. It’s a staple in my life. Something I truly understand and love. This sport has my heart and through this troubling time, it’s a good feeling to know that one day, baseball will be back for all to enjoy. 

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