At the Ball Park

I love college football. But I'd rather watch it on television than in person. I can see more that way and I don't miss important plays. The thing I miss most when watching on television is that very little attention is paid to the linemen. I love the mini-duels between offensive and defensive linemen. Each play presents an opportunity to exert all your trickery, all your power moves, and all your mental ability to either move your opponent out of the way, knock him down to cause a hole to close, or slip past to make a play in the backfield. Linemen have it tough and get very little glory for what they do.

I was never a baseball fan until the Mississippi Braves came to Pearl, Mississippi. Last year I watched ten or twelve games and this year, I've had season tickets. Now I've become interested in the "Big" Braves because so many of our "Baby" Braves have joined the mother team in Atlanta.

Unlike football, baseball is better watched in person. Baseball has so many little nuiances that just don't show up on television. TV seems to focus mostly on the pitcher and the batter. Watching the infield move in or out and the outfield adjust as individual batters come to the plate perks my interest. Close calls at the bases, leaping catches where the fielder makes the catch regardless of potential injury, good teamwork, and subtle strategy are all fascinating to me as I watch baseball. But admittedly, I'm a real novice when it comes to baseball and I'm learning as I go.

Minor league players, like college football players, make mistakes. The momentum of a game can turn on a simple mistake. That is true for most any sport but is an exciting part of minor league ball and college ball.

Early in the season in this part of the country, games are played in some pretty nice weather. Then the southern heat kicks in and day games become miserable to watch. Even the earlier parts of night games can be played in 90 plus temperatures. So a seat in the shade, a gentle breeze, a cool drink in hand are almost a must for baseball watching in Mississippi in August.

The Mississippi Braves' season is rapidly coming to an end. College football starts next weekend and then a choice will have to be made. Guess I check the football schedules before I go to the baseball game. Right now, I'll still take football over baseball.