Put me in, coach …

Americans need baseball more than ever

Maybe you have seen or heard recent stories like the one headlined in USA Today: “Stats, attendance reflect awful state of baseball.”

It’s not hard to find such pronouncements. And we have heard it before. Indeed, gloomy assessments of baseball’s status in society are nothing new and seem cyclical in nature.

Let’s be clear. Baseball is not without problems nor lacking in challenges. In addition to reports of declining attendance in the big leagues, there are surveys indicating that participation among youngsters is down.

There are those who insist baseball is no longer the “nation’s pastime.” Yes, other sports have increased in popularity. However, rumors of baseball’s demise are greatly exaggerated. In fact, Major League Baseball attendance is generally strong, with a few exceptions, despite sky-rocketing ticket costs. Crowd numbers were down early this season, but much of that was weather related.

There’s no doubt that football is No. 1 in many respects, aided immensely by television coverage. TV and football have a symbiotic and valuable relationship. Television is also a factor in boosting basketball’s following (though I still have reservations about the Euro Step in the NBA). And don’t overlook the significance of March Madness in giving basketball a bigger role.

Football faces a serious problem in the dangers posed by injuries, most significantly concussion-related brain injuries with long-term consequences. Finding ways to increase the safety factor in football is a major challenge.

There’s also the Trump-galvanized controversy with the NFL over kneeling during the National Anthem. Some insist this has significantly hurt attendance and viewing numbers, but I’m not convinced.

Undeniably, there is a shopping list of complaints/concerns about baseball. A central criticism is what is seen as the slow pace of the games. For some, the game simply isn’t dynamic enough, although that argument can be contested with walk-off home runs, pitching mastery — including 100-mph pitchers, graceful and skillful fielding and hitting and pressure-packed strategy.

MLB officials have tried to speed up games but with limited effectiveness. One slowdown factor is the use of niche relief pitchers, sometimes entering a game to face just one batter, but the process is time consuming.

Besides the big three (football, basketball and baseball), there are many other sports with significant following and participation — hockey, lacrosse, tennis, golf, track and field, volleyball, softball, gymnastics, cycling, swimming/diving, horse racing and, of course, soccer, which just completed the World Cup. What a menu! All have their distinctive and appealing features.

It is often pointed out that the baseball audience is aging. But I observe a lot of family and father-son representation. There’s no denying, however, that many in the youthful generation are hooked on video games. One of the most popular, “Fortnite,” has 125 million players and an addictive appeal.

I’ve seen major league games this summer in Denver, St. Louis and New York’s Yankee Stadium. All had near-capacity attendance (and long concession lines). I’ve also seen well-attended minor league (Northwest Arkansas Naturals) games. And Arkansas Razorback fans showed their passion for collegiate baseball at a high level in a season that stirred enthusiasm and packed stands.

Baseball is a well-ordered, mathematically based game. It is entrenched in American culture in an unparalleled manner and leans heavily on nostalgia. I am, admittedly, among those steeped in nostalgia. Baseball can be particularly nostalgia-inducing and I’ve been on a steady diet since I saw my first big-league game in 1948 and have seen the Cardinals in person at least once in each of the 70 years since and 50 years for the currently lowly Baltimore Orioles. I have “warm” memories of my own days of playing, when my enthusiasm for the sport far exceeded my ability. I vividly recall wearing wool flannel uniforms on sun-baked afternoon doubleheaders. One of those ancient Legion uniforms is somewhere in my attic. I remember what the irrepressible Casey Stengel said on his 1966 visit to a then-new stadium in St. Louis on a 103-degree day: “Well, it sure holds the heat well.”

Baseball is known for long-suffering fans, the most notable example being the Cubs, who in 2016 finally ended a 108-year World Series drought. Currently, the Royals, World Series champs only three years ago, have experienced a quick plunge to baseball’s basement.

A serious challenge for MLB is domination by a few mostly big-market teams as we are witnessing this year with the Red Sox, Yankees, Astros and Dodgers. (The Cardinals have been the one consistent smaller-market team that ranks among the top in attendance.) In my case, I enjoy closely following the Orioles and Cardinals, both having their struggles these days, but the reality is I just like baseball.

As we were just reminded by the World Cup, soccer is unquestionably the world’s most popular sport. It should be noted, however, that baseball and basketball have become increasingly international. Earlier this year a visiting French academician told me the thing he most wanted to do on a U.S. visit was to see an NBA game in person. One of the most striking factors in baseball today is its increasing internationalization. This is especially true with the heavy Latin American big-league presence. Japan, Korea and others are also represented. Baseball aficionados always have plenty to discuss. Debates about defensive shifts, designated hitters, video replays, and over-reliance on complex statistical data are all hot topics. Baseball isn’t fading away. From tee-ball to MLB, it remains the national pastime and deeply resonates within society. Remember the lyrics from John Fogerty: “Put me in, coach. I’m ready to play today… Look at me, I can be centerfield.” In this time of political madness, we need some centerfielders. And we need baseball.