Spring. New everything. New trees, plants, grass, animals, promises, and possibilities. A time when anything is possible. Other than the raging pollen allergies, it is one of my favorite times of the year, and baseball is a big reason why.
When George Costanza was trying to delay marrying his fiancée, he mentioned Spring.
For me, spring means two things. As a Catholic, Easter is one of the biggies. I have had something I said in the past be quoted, re-posted, and tweeted:
“Baseball is the payoff for us practicing Catholics for sacrificing during Lent. Yes, yes, I know. Life everlasting in the kingdom of God, and eternal rest. But, come on,
B a s e b a l l !”
In our home, we are beyond excited that the 2026 MLB season has started. My lady and I each get the Pittsburgh Pirates Ballpark Pass. It’s an affordable way for fans to catch home games during the season, at around $55 per month. You get entry into PNC Park, but you don’t have designated seats. It is a “Standing Room Only” kind of thing.
But nowadays, there are a lot of places inside the ballpark to sit that aren’t assigned. There are also bars in the concourse area, as well as chairs above “The Clemente Wall” in right field behind the screened area. There are tables all around with stools or chairs. Also, it has been quite a while since the Pirates consistently sold out home games. (Hopefully that changes this season!) Plus, there aren’t many ushers who will press you to take a seat in an area with hardly any fans.
As far as refreshments, refills are free if you get the souvenir cup! And you can bring it back another time (unofficially). We have friends who regularly stop at the Subway sandwich shop before going in, and take their sandwiches with them. You are allowed to carry in a sealed 22-ounce bottle of water, with bottle-refill fountains around the park. To boot, there are $1 Hot Dog games and other affordable options.
I feel like the Pirates have really made a day at the ballpark an option for families. Try taking a family of five to an NFL or NHL game. You are looking at spending hundreds for the day.
When I think about the feeling we have right now as the season starts, it fills me with anticipation.
Yes, there are myriad writers and talking heads who think they know what will happen this season. That is not why I do these columns. There is plenty of that content out there if you want it.
My entire goal is to write about how we FEEL as fans of this game.
Photo courtesy Design Bundles
I recently stopped by a bar & grill where my friend Jen works. It turned out that she was off that day, but it did not stop me from having a Boilermaker, some fried cheese, and a couple of beers. As I was sitting at the bar, there were three older gentlemen down at the end on my right. I overheard one of them mention baseball and make a funny remark, and we all at the bar laughed.
I mentioned that I write a column about baseball. They inquired about what I wrote. As these were older gents in their late sixties and seventies, I asked them to think about how they felt when Bill Mazeroski hit the home run that won the World Series for the Pirates in 1960.
The look they all got on their faces said it all. Then they excitedly started reminiscing about it. I asked if they remembered having a catch with their dad? One brother, the youngest, talked about the time his dad bought him his first glove, not a hand-me-down from his brothers.
I asked them to think about how they felt right then, and I told them that feeling is what I am trying to write about. They got it. They wanted to read my columns. I gave them the info about The Sports Column, and they said they were excited to read it (thanks, Jim, Dane, and Bill).
That is all I can hope for. I want my readers to FEEL something when they read my words. I want to make people look back on the good old days.
You know, every time I say the phrase “the old days,” it makes me think of the final episode of The Office, where Andy Bernard says…
Well, guess what? THESE ARE the good old days, everyone. Embrace every day.
The late, great musician Warren Zevon spoke with David Letterman during Zevon’s final appearance on The Late Show, knowing he was dying. Dave asked him if he had any words of wisdom for anyone watching. He replied, “Enjoy every sandwich.”
I plan to, sir. I also plan to enjoy every pitch and every swing of this baseball season.
Right now, the season is still young; anything is possible. Heck, EVERYTHING is possible!
