Have you always liked baseball?

"Have you always liked baseball?" I receive this question regularly, and it is an easy answer every time. Yes. I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, home of the St. Louis Cardinals! Dippin' Dots are probably what got me through my early years of baseball watching, but my appreciation for the game has only grown.  

I love the atmosphere, the strategy and I get to watch my favorite player almost every day. Pretty cheesy, I know, but it's the truth. Baseball is Tate's life, thus making it a big part of mine.

Within the first month of dating Tate, I realized there was much more to the game than I thought. The basic baseball rules were a given; 9 innings, three outs, you can't strike out on a foul ball. But as soon as I heard, "that guy throws cheese" I knew it was time for some outside research.  

I purchased Watching Baseball Smarter by Zach Hample, attended every one of Tate's home games and even watched baseball instead of the FOOD network (most days). It's been four years, I have attended, and listened to over 300 games and I still can't tell a hanging slider from a curveball. Honestly, I don't even know if I said that right. Lots to learn, but that's what makes it fun.

I attend a lot of games by myself, which doesn't bother me much at all. Of course, it's nice to have friends and family at the game, but pretty soon I will have our little man to cheer with me. My sweet sisters are learning slowly but surely. To be honest, they make me feel like I'm a master of all things baseball. (Shout out to my sister, Sarah, for joining me at the Cardinals vs. Nationals game.)