sillygwailo

“ Gazing around the crowd (mostly 20-30 year olds in the outfield where I sat), I could only think about how they became the beer-swilling, profanity-laced, hardcore season-ticket holders they are today. For most, I imagine it stemmed from little leagues, playing catch with dad, but most importantly, the childhood games they attended. Maybe they remember the games, but what they really cherish is that memory, where they could get lost in the larger-than-life athletes in the field, the ice cream and hot dogs in the stands, and the ecstatic drive home. That’s what kept baseball in their hearts. And last night, the Shane Victorino grand slam was probably engraved in the mind of some 8-year-old as one of the greatest moments in his life. But if nothing that exciting had happened, then the build-a-bear probably helped too. Because when all’s said and done, the Phillies and MLB are not just selling a sport and a game, they are selling these irreplaceable memories that inevitably become part of our daily rituals. ” -

kev.in.distress: Baseball, a modern day ritual