Joe Schulman is the author of a new column in the Kansas City Star about becoming a fan of a new baseball team. He has written for ChopTalk, the Atlanta Braves' magazine. Joe is a freelance writer in Atlanta, and he and his wife, Cady, are avid Braves fans.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
How It StartsI apologize for the lateness...
Back in sixth grade I started counting down in December the days to the season started. By eighth grade, I figured I would grow out of that habit and not be so obsessed. You know, girls were starting to show up in my young life too at that time.
But the obsession never died. Girlfriends and crushes came and went in a hurry, but baseball was always there. Most girls never knew what they were in for when April came around, no matter how hard I tried to explain.
When you're a kid, you can have obsessions. The ones around you figure you'll grow out of it by the time you head to college or get a real job. But the truth is, when you fall in love with a sport and a team, it's a partnership for life.
It's been a while since I first fell in love with baseball. Back then, the Braves could buy a win or sell a ticket. But they were my team. I wasn't sure I'd be able to feel that same obsessive feeling again, especially 18 years years later.
But the truth is, when I call myself a Royals fan now, I mean it. I'm not saying I'm as big a fan as someone who has watched them for 30 years. But I am a fan. I cheered the signing of Octavio Dotel and talk as much about KC as I do Atlanta when I talk with friends. They're still getting used to the fact I care about a team hundreds of miles away.
My becoming such a fan so fast was not expected. Part of that came from all the KC fans who have dropped me messages to welcome me or tell me I'm crazy. Part of being a fan is feeling a part of that community. I definitely feel part of the KC fan club.
I fell into baseball by accident the first time. I bought a pack of baseball cards at the local grocery store and something inside me clicked. None of my immediate family members were baseball fans. It was just something I fell into by opening up that first pack of cards. This time the fandom was more deliberate, but the feeling is the same. I'm already looking to April 1. This time I'll have two games to watch, and I can't tell you how excited that makes me.
For those who are counting, pitchers and catchers report Feb. 15.