By Graham Winterbone
February 4 2003

Was it the Grand Slams? Was it the Triple Plays or the Strikeouts? Was it because of the atmosphere in the ballparks or the allstar ballplayers? Or was it simply that you were born into baseball-loving family? Tell us, in your own words, how did you become interested in the great game of baseball?

"How Did You Get Into Baseball?"
or The Confessions Of A Baseball Junkie

Graham Winterbone
Vice Chairman, SABR UK

As an English fan of American Baseball, how many times have you been asked that question? Ten times? One hundred times? Or does it seem just about every time the subject of baseball comes up.

Certainly every time I express any knowledge of the game to any American I meet -- and you know it does feel good don't you -- the question is asked. I have also told the story to just about every acquaintance of mine at some time or other who was unwary enough to get me talking about Baseball!

Anyway, answering the question so often over the last few years got me thinking [it can take a long time], how did I get into baseball and perhaps more importantly, why do I love it so much? So here are some thoughts which I hope will ring some bells with my fellow English fans.

In 1989 my wife and I went to stay with her Aunt and Uncle near Toronto. Although he [Cecil] was originally form Trinidad and also had lived in England, he had left his cricketing roots [though not completely] and started to watch and love baseball. Over the course of our 2 week stay we watched some games on TV, but to my absolute annoyance [with retrospect] we did not actually go to the SkyDome and watch a game, [although I did see the SkyDome and Exhibition Stadium] due to the fact that it was September and all the games were sold out. Why didn't I ignore Cecil's advice and go to a tout?

One of the first facts that astounded me was that the teams played virtually everyday for six months, and our soccer players complain about forty or so games in nine months! Also the World Series was not just one game but seven -- a bit like playing seven Cup Finals as Cecil explained it.

I watched and learned from the TV about the players, particularly their chewing and scratching habits which seemed to be exacerbated whenever they were at bat. In those early days I thought it was obligatory to adjust your crotch and spit copiously before batting. Later on of course I learnt that ball players also shag flies! I left Toronto with an inkling of the game as well as a Blue Jays pennant [and a hangover].

When I got home I discovered that Baseball was covered on English TV with the tardy but very welcome coverage on late night ITV. I was able to watch my first World Series that autumn, and was pleased to see Oakland sweep San Francisco. I had already been impressed with Canseco and McGwire's power, Henderson's speed and the Dave Stewart stare. Over the next few months I began to acquire such things as a Blue Jays cap, a World Series video and perhaps most importantly "The Baseball Book" 1987-88 which I found in the bargain bin. This British book outlined details of all the teams including the ballparks, the history and the players.

Our next 2 visits to North America were to Florida which in those days was baseball free in the regular season. However, did I watch a lot on TV! More books, cards, caps, shirts etc all followed to feed my ever growing addiction. The English media coverage was completely inadequate but I believe that it is improving, but of course the addict also gets to know where to satisfy his craving!

So following the first two years or so outlined above I had become hooked and thirsted for more information on the history as well as the day to day scores and news. There are several factors that drew me to the game and kept me interested and I think at this point it is best to introduce the comparisons with Cricket and why Baseball completely wiped out Cricket for me. I was quite a big Cricket fan and followed Test Cricket avidly but now I couldn't name half of the England team or say when I last watched even an hour of a game.

Firstly, the sheer athleticism of players such as Roberto Alomar, the power of Albert Belle and the speed of Devon White [or Cecil Fielders bum] can be matched by almost no cricketers, apart from some West Indians and Ian Botham perhaps. There are so many good athletes in Baseball that they are too many to mention here.

Secondly, in cricket the first inning, even of a five day game can decide the course of the game. How often can this be said of Baseball? With nine innings each there is so much more scope for lead changes and final dramatic finishes. The fact that Baseball teams usually play each other three days in a row mirrors the three day game in cricket, but of course in approximately nine hours Baseball you get three results against potentially no positive result in cricket after many more hours of play. I enjoy the positive result in Baseball and that you have another chance tomorrow to get it right after a defeat or carry on with that winning streak. The no time limit to the game also fascinates [an endless Baseball game?].

Thirdly, the history of the game certainly appeals to me and it surprises many English people to learn how old the organised and professional game of baseball is. It certainly not just a new version of rounders! It is interesting to note that like Cricket, Baseball does seem to attract the best writers. I have since built up a modest collection of Baseball books, biographies of the legendary players attract me the most.

Lastly, the pitcher versus batter duel is of course the essence of the whole game. In no other team game does the result seem to depend more on these one to one situations. Consider the rookie pitcher facing the veteran slugger, the dominant closer protecting a one run lead in the bottom of the ninth or the veteran pitcher nearing a no hitter tires in the ninth -- so many possibilities, so many stories to tell. Our own Bobby Thomson's story comes to mind on how just one pitcher versus batter confrontation can be remembered for generations.

Now I get to follow Baseball pretty well. The results are on CNN text [page 580] the morning after along with a few brief highlights on their sports shows daily and I get Baseball Weekly delivered. I can't wait for Sky to re-start their coverage of live games and highlights particularly as our local cable operator has withdrawn NBC. More Channel 4 coverage would help of course.

As I have remained a Blue Jays fan I have recently learnt the cyclical nature of the game, but I guess that their successes in 1992 and 1993 helped fire my enthusiasm [I had to resort to AFN broadcasts for live coverage]. Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to attend several games in Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco and Denver. However the first game that I attended was Baltimore at California [5/9/92] and I immediately felt completely at home and this helped to convince me that my instincts were correct and that Baseball would become a lifelong passion.

Graham is the Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Bobby Thompson Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR UK). For more information about SABR UK, visit their web site located at: www.sabruk.org