On Watching a Day Game

I love summer…well, despite the oppressive heat and my aversion to it. But, besides that, I love summer. It’s just so magical, so full of possibilities. Those feelings are probably tied to childhood memories of summer vacations spent swimming, frolicking, and just generally getting into mischief…and if there’s one sporting event that really, truly, screams “summer” it’s an afternoon baseball game.

A good old-fashioned day game encapsulates all the best parts of summer: not being in school, eating junk food, being in the sun for a questionably long amount of time (don’t worry mom I’ve put on sunscreen not once but twice…no, I have no idea how I still got sunburned) and hanging out for hours on end. As an adult there are two major barriers to going to a day game: either you have the money for tickets but no time to go, or you have time to go but no money for tickets. Either way you’ll be able to squeeze in one or two of these if you really want to but for all the rest, might I suggest, watching the games from home?

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “watching a LIVE sporting event, from the comfort of my own home?! That would require some sort of magical broadcasting technology!” Yes, and it’s great when you can get around blackouts for local games and all that nonsense but let me tell you, there are few small joys better than throwing on an afternoon Dodger game in the background while I work.

With so many people joining working from home ranks (at least part time), more folks are free to work in situations that they control and enjoy. If you get your work done in a timely manner, who cares if you listen to music or get up and walk around every few minutes, or have a baseball game on in the background! I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve been working on one of these essays and have found myself stuck on a sentence that I just can’t get right. It’s wonderful to be able to lean back, watch a few pitches, maybe a base hit or if you’re real lucky a highlight or two. It’s feels like magic but every time I force myself to get back to work, that big ole writer’s block seems to have lifted all thanks to a little live sports.

As a secondary benefit, there’s something refreshing about being reminded that there’s a whole other world outside of what you’re working on. Seeing that emerald green diamond amongst the screens and spreadsheets and word documents in your workspace is a bit of a breath of fresh air that helps put everything back in perspective.

So, while it may not have the same access to ballpark hot dogs or $17 beers, watching a day game while we toil away for our capitalist overlords can make the harrowing experience of living in today’s world go down just a little bit easier.

What’s your version of “watching a day game” while you work?