I’ll do my best to put into words what it means to “pass on the passion.”
Man, how much do we LOVE the game of baseball! Even amongst the “Boo-birds” in the crowd, I refuse to have a bad day at the ballpark. Sure, some annoyances should not happen while you are watching two teams battle it out on the field.
Problem is, we’ve gotten away from certain ways of doing things like we used to. The younger generations (geeze, now I sound like my mother), or at least a good number of them, have not been shown the proper way of living in a respectful society. It is up to us to help them navigate their way through life. As far as baseball goes, the best way to help them is to pass on our passion for the game.
One way to start is by leading by example at the games. I remember a time when the ushers would hold you at the entrance until an at-bat or a play on the field was completed. Then, you could go to your seats so as not to distract fans or, worse yet, block their view. Can you imagine being at a game when a triple play, the last pitch of a no-hitter, or some other rare thing happened, and some random person blocked your view while it happened?
Let us start by respecting fans who paid hard-earned money to see the GAME … not your backside carrying beers, hot dogs, nachos, and shame back to your seat. Grab those delicious ballpark snacks, but don’t leave your seat until there is a break in the action. And the same goes for on your way back. Stay at the entrance until the play is over, then hustle back to your seat. While in the concourse areas, be aware of not stopping to chit-chat or gawk at something or have a family reunion when you are right in the flow of foot traffic. Move off to the side.
These are such simple things we can do to show our youngsters how we want them to behave in society. Easy peasy!
Another way to pass on the passion is to take your kids, grandkids, and other youngsters in your life to a game or, maybe, fifty. Major league, minor league, local college, high school. Heck, little league. Show them the developmental side of the game.
The Game 7 Gang (photo courtesy The Fan Files)
One activity I suggest is setting aside October 13 on your schedule, in Pittsburgh. If you are not located in Pittsburgh, but ARE a Pirates fan, try to make the pilgrimage here. On that date each year, the entire, unedited radio broadcast of the 1960 World Series Game 7 is played over the loudspeakers at the site where Bill Mazeroski homered over the wall to win the Series for the Pirates.
The folks who started this tradition, and continue it to this day, are known as the Game 7 Gang.
Part of the outfield wall remains. You will see home plate, where it was located in Forbes Field. People from all walks of life gather on blankets and lawn chairs, some even sitting on briefcases, and a few stand the whole time, enjoying a shared love of the game.
They cheer as if they don’t know what the outcome will be. When Maz hits the game-winning home run to win the Series, the crowd goes wild, experiencing it like it just happened in real-time.
The thrill of victory with a friend or loved one is just downright amazing. But, I’ll tell you, being seated with strangers at a game can be great, as well.
Rachel at PNC!
As I was finishing this column, my lady, Rachel, and I took the opportunity to attend the Cubs-Pirates game at PNC Park on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026. The gentleman seated to Rachel’s left was there alone, enjoying the beautiful day at the ballpark. (Rachel says I’m more like the mayor than anyone she knows.)
I had a great conversation with him during the game. I gave him my card with a QR code linking to my columns on The Sports Column website. He promised to check them out, and I think he will. People seem to “get it” when I describe what I write about.
I spent many moments during this game with tears in my eyes in solemn remembrance of my fallen brothers and sisters in arms. The Air Force Sergeant who sang the National Anthem that day, Joseph Dukes, a Pittsburgher with over ten years of service to our country, sang it so beautifully and respectfully.
Photo courtesy of Alexander Jurkuta
He didn’t make it a “him” moment. Instead, he paid the respect the song deserves and requires. I can honestly say I haven’t had tears flowing down my face like that in a long time. I usually mute anthem singers during televised events because they ruin it by showcasing their vocal gymnastics. This was different. It was truly patriotic and breathtaking.
I also had tears in my eyes seeing the many wonderful moments of fans passing on their passion for baseball to the next generations. Exactly as it should be.
Personal photo
Then I saw something that perfectly sums up the feeling I try to tap into in my columns. Between innings, the staff will allow people to stand against the wall separating the stands from the right-field foul territory (see photo to the left). It was there that I met a two-year-old boy named Samuel. He and his parents were Cubs fans, and we had said hello earlier in the game.
Meet Samuel (personal photo)
What I saw next was absolutely perfect. I turned and explained to the little boy’s mom that I had written a column and would love to use a picture of her husband and son in it. She agreed.
The picture you are seeing was not set up. It was simply a beautifully natural moment that deserved to be shared, and it explains this column better than any words I could come up with.
THAT is what “passing on the passion” looks like!
