Baseball.
To me, it’s the greatest sport. In season I could write posts weekly at Naked Girl in a Dress, but I am confident, knowing my readers, I would be deleted from RSS feeds with increasing frequency if I did. While I can’t transform my site into all-baseball all the time, I do sprinkle in as many posts as I believe readers will tolerate from me. I refrain from writing too often on the topic of baseball here, but I have learned the sport is too important to me to ignore what level of interest a guy has for the game when I date.
Which leads to a story about The Boyfriend and baseball.
A little backstory first…
I am blessed to have a great group of friends who are much more than friends, but more like extended family. We have last-minute potluck dinners most weekends; vacation together; run together; go to movies and try new restaurants; swap books, stories, and kids’ clothes; and support each other in difficult times.
This group is also a tough crowd to introduce a man I am dating and have it go well. They are fiercely loyal to me, love me unconditionally, and want only the best in this new phase in my life. It can be unnerving for the guy, trying to find his place in the tight group as well.
So, back to The Boyfriend…
The toughest and most accurate critic in the group not only liked The Boyfriend the first time he met him (unprecedented), he even had some people speak to some people to find out what they knew about him (they work for two organizations that work closely together and know a lot of people in common). I was given the report that The Boyfriend “checked out” with people only having positive comments. Many months after getting to know The Boyfriend, socializing with him, and obtaining background information on him, this guy friend said to me last week:
“The Boyfriend is a great guy and I can’t find anyone who has a negative thing to say about him both personally and professionally, but there’s only one thing I am not sure about this guy. There is potential for him to not be right for you.”
I could not believe we were having this conversation so many months after The Boyfriend so effortlessly fit into my tight circle of friends.
What could be the problem after all the time we have spent together as a group?
My friend then asked, “Does he like baseball?”
Oh, he knows me so well.
{Note to readers: The Boyfriend played during his childhood and through senior year of college. Thankfully he not only shares a passion for baseball, but is a Nationals fan as well.}
It is an important factor to consider. It’s kind of like me and my football thing. If a guy can’t get over me scheduling around my teams, we won’t last long. Some things you just can’t compromise on!
So it’s football for you, huh? That’s okay. I still like you. (kidding about football comment!)
Oh, now I like you even more darling. I remember sleeping on the hotel room couch of the pitcher for the Tidewater Tides in Virginia Beach after one of their home games. That’s the night that I learned that “Baseball Annies” are actually real. I didn’t get to sleep with any though. Used to go see the Braves play when I lived outside of Atlanta and still remember my oldest grinning ear to ear at the first pitch. Baseball be berry berry good to us, right?
WHat a funny story David!
I understand. Baseball is a holy thing in my family. My brother played pro ball and before that it was just baseball baseball baseball all the time. My whole childhood.
So how many times have you seen Field of Dreams?
Oh, that sounds like my daughter’s life. All-baseball all the time. She is surviving. Surprisingly, I have not seen Field of Dreams a crazy amount of times. My new favorite baseball movie is Moneyball.
Girl, on my mental list of “must-have” man qualities was not only “baseball fan” but “no Yankees fans.” And I meant it. I found my guy; he despises the Yankees with me and we cheer on the Nationals together. Six years down the road of a very happy marriage, I can’t imagine being with someone who doesn’t love The Game. By the way, I also try to refrain from overloading my blog with baseball stuff because I don’t appear to have any readers who are remotely interested in the sport, but sometimes I just can’t help myself.
I love your response Louise! I can’t hate the Yankees because my son worships Derek Jeter and, well, I want to have a good relationship with my son. I am glad you are in a great relationship and even happier that you root for the Nats.
Although I don’t have any sports that I’m passionate about, I’ve discovered that I can enjoy just about any sport if the person I’m with loves it. Their excitement washes over me and I enjoy being part of what makes them happy. Plus, (big bonus!) if we’re sitting on the couch watching TV, I can be doing something else (reading, writing, cross stitch, origami…) with half my eye toward the game and still be in physical contact with my guy. Not a bad way to spend a few hours, if you ask me! 🙂
With all that said, I’m happy for you that you’ve found someone who shares your same passion, Kelly!
Thank you Leah! I too am excited, especially since it is baseball season. 🙂 He’s a great guy and his love of baseball just adds to the experience.