Sports 360: Baseball
By (Go Cubs Go) Kelly Kinas ‘16
Baseball. America’s game. Not really anymore but we still say it to make us feel better about ourselves. Baseball is absolutely lovely sport that is one of my absolute favorites. USC’s Baseball team started in the top 25 in the nation when it had it’s season opener last Friday (they lost to North Dakota, so I don’t know if they are anymore) and it’s a great way to support your school, while not traveling off campus. USC Baseball’s home is Dedeaux field, which is across the street from the KAP building. I know it’s a walk but after reading this blog, you’ll want to be there every time there’s a home game because you are gonna understand baseball. GET READY.
So I will be explaining Baseball to you, the person reading the blog, the only way I know how: by using each line of the 7th inning stretch classic “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” as a transition into a new baseball topic or rule. You’re gonna love it. So stand up, get ready to sing loudly and off key because
HERE WE GO!
You ready? OKAY!
Take me out to the ball game,
The first ever ball-game, or major league baseball game, was played in 1858. I’m saying that because in New York, that was the first time they charged for admission to a baseball game. Exciting time. By 1867, there were over 400 clubs participating because there was no distinction between amateur and professional. There wasn’t much baseball being played between 1900-1919, which is known as the “dead ball” period. Baseball survived through both World Wars and the Depression.
Take me out to the crowd.
That crowd attends MLB games now to enjoy some professional baseball. The professional league of baseball in the US is called “Major League Baseball” or the MLB, which was founded in 1903. The MLB has two leagues within it: The National League (Yay) and the American League (eh). There are 30 teams in the MLB, the best obviously being the Chicago Cubs (there’s proof that shows that isn’t true but let’s just ignore that, shall we?) Technically, the New York Yankees are the best team because they have won the most World Series Championships (27!!!!) and the latest winners of the World Series title are the Kansas City Royals in 2015.
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks.
While eating is one of the best parts of America’s game, learning about the game itself could be even more helpful. There are two teams competing in baseball and they take turns batting and fielding. There are 9 innings but at the end of 9 innings it is tied, the game continues until a team wins. The game is played on a field called a “baseball diamond”. If a batter hits the baseball thrown by the pitcher, they try run around the diamond from first base, to second base, to third base, and then run home. In the middle of the diamond is the pitcher’s mound and there are MLB officials at every base to call the runner safe or out.
I don’t care if I ever get back.
There are different positions that each team has to fill. The position that usually has the most players on a roster is the pitcher because they are used the most. Some teams can have 6 or 7 relief pitchers, in case the starting pitcher gets tired and the opposing team starts hitting his pitches. Additionally, there is the catcher (the one who catches the pitches that the batter does not hit), first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder. Woo baseball positions!!
For it’s root, root, root for the home team.
USC Baseball is extremely successful overtime. We have had 12 National Championships (the last one in 1998) and have appeared in the College World Series 21 times. The Head Coach for the USC Trojans right now is Dan Hubbs. The home field is Dedeaux Field across from KAP. Last year, 2015, USC made it to the regional tournament before the College World Series but lost to Virginia. USC is one of the most successful baseball programs in the history of college baseball. The Trojans have won more baseball national championship than any other program across all divisions of college baseball. No other Division I school has more than 6 national championships and we have 12. We’re cool. GO SUPPORT THEM.
If they don’t win, it’s a shame.
While USC lost it’s home opener on February 19th to North Dakota (which is a shame), there is still a lot of other opportunities to show your support for the Trojans. The Trojans play Wake Forest on February 26th at 6pm, the 27th at 2pm, and the 28th at 1pm. All of these are at Dedeaux Field and EVERYONE SHOULD SUPPORT BECAUSE BASEBALL IS AWESOME AND USC IS AWESOME TOO.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out
There are some great pitchers in the league this year that can strike out anyone like Clayton Kershaw and Jake Arrieta (Go Cubs Go!!) and Buster Posey. Here are some other names you should probably know as well: Jackie Robinson (integrated baseball back in the day), Babe Ruth (714 home runs), Yogi Berra (widely considered to be the greatest catcher in the history of the game of baseball), and Barry Bonds (762 home runs but plead guilty to steroid use).
At the old ball game!!
Fight on!!
