The First Blue Jay, Oriole, Cardinal of Spring

Some people when they see a robin they know it's a sure sign of spring. With me it's more than just robins, today is the day the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Cardinals as well as Red Sox, White Sox and Yankees report to spring training, now that's a sure sign of spring. As a New York football Giants fan I am still basking in the warm glow of the Super Bowl but as a Yankee fan today is the best day of the winter. I love baseball. Anyone who tells you that baseball is a boring game doesn't understand it. There is so much going on during each pitch of the game that it is almost a human chess match between managers. Baseball is different from any other sport, the infield is the same in every ball park but that's were it stops. Baseball stadiums are not made with a cookie cutter, center field in Yankee Stadium is 408 feet from home plate to the wall, Dodger Stadium is 395 feet. Fenway Park is the shortest, only 390 feet to dead center. All this difference is part of the magic of baseball. Years ago George Carlin did a bit comparing baseball to football, although it was done for laughs some of his points were true. Baseball is pastoral, you play in a park. There is nothing better then sitting in a ballpark watching a game, drinking a cold beer and eating a hot dog, explaining the game to one of your kids. I have been to Yankee Stadium, old and new, Fenway Park, Shea Stadium, Camden Yards, National's Park, Olympic Stadium and outside Wrigley Field. All the places were different but the game was always the same. Today, pitchers and catchers reported and are having their first workout, next Monday the position players report. The season opens on April 4th and runs through October 3rd. This year there is one new stadium in Miami, it will be the home of the Miami (no longer the Florida) Marlins. So where ever you go, sit back and enjoy, summer will be here soon.