Baseball

That's right, folks. It's baseball season once again. And while my Red Sox have been doing poorly (they're 5-9 as of right now), I'm still so happy that baseball is back that I almost don't care.

The beautiful thing about the beginning of the season is that anything can happen. Sure, we've gotten off to a rough start, but there are still 147 games left (after tonight's, which is currently tied) in the season. Anything could happen.

I know that a lot of people think baseball is stupid, but it really is my favorite sport. I adore football, I go kind of crazy when March Madness comes around, and I may have a crush on the Olympics, but baseball will always be my first love, and the love of my life. It's the sport I have the most experience with (I played softball for eight years, and I started going to minor league games when I was really young) and it's the one I care most about.

There's something about going to a game, about sitting in the sun with a cap on, eating cotton candy and spiedies, cheering, hearing the booming voice of the announcer and the hitter's music...I love the atmosphere of a stadium. There's nothing quite like watching a home run, or seeing a shortstop turn an incredible double play. I think I would probably live there, if it had cleaner bathrooms.

I also love baseball because it'll never leave you. Even if you miss a game, the team will always be there tomorrow, trying again to make history, or just the highlight reel. They'll be there every summer, ready for you when you get home from work at night, or on TV at just the right time when you've got the day off.

The bookends of the season (Opening Day until mid-May, and late August until the World Series) are always either really exciting or really tough. But the sweet spot, the middle of the season, when anything is possible...that's my favorite part of the year. It's hot, sunny, and my Sox still have a chance. To me, baseball and summer go hand in hand, and always will.

Being a Red Sox fan in NYC isn't always easy, especially last year when the Yankees won the Series. I walked through Union Square, past throngs of people celebrating and cheering, and I felt so disappointed. But I know that this season is a clean slate, and I can't wait.