In your opinion, what is a true baseball fan?

Question

I have my opinion, but ill tell that to whoever i think has the best opinion.

Answer 1

A true baseball fan:

1. Follows their team and knows the players, important stats, and how their doing day to day.

2. Demands that they play to win. The goal is to win the world series, not fill the stands or "compete"

3. Can recognize excellence in play from players and teams that aren't their favorite.

4. Wants nothing to do with the "steroid stats" from the last 10 years.

I believe that a TRUE baseball fan should stick with their team, but it's their duty as a fan no show their anger or disappointment when their them isn't doing everything necessary to put a winner of the field.

Answer 2

I've been an Angels fan since 96, and have seen fans come and go since that magical season in 02 so I know exactly what a true baseball fan is compared to a bandwagon fan. You gotta know the old school players, even those that weren't that good but played on the team before they got good. (ex. Chili Davis, Gary Disarcina, Jorge Fabregas) You must know which pitchers are the 1,2,3,4,5 in the rotation and the setup man and closer. It is also good to know the depth chart and which player is good at what. True hardcore baseball fans should also keep track of ERA's, batting averages, contract years, stuff like that. And no matter what a true baseball fan sticks with the team through thick and thin no matter how crappy their stadium is, how expensive the tickets, and how underachieving and overpaid their players are (Mo Vaughn.)

Answer 3

A true baseball fan is one who will watch any game, at any time. In fact, a true baseball fan will watch two kids playing catch, because one will have a better arm, and with an audience of any type, will show it off.

A true fan doesn't ask "who's your favourite player"? A true fan is at least familiar with the rulebook or wants to become familiar with it. A true fan can tell you the names of at least two pitchers on another team's staff, or has some idea that there actually ARE other teams.

A true fan doesn't look for personal information about a player. A true fan is someone who at least has some idea that the game has a history, and hopefully has some idea of that history.

A true fan keeps their own scorecard whenever they are physically capable of doing so. A true fan gets there not in time for the first pitch but in time for BP, and stays through the end of the game. And a true fan applauds/cheers good plays from either team in any game.


I'd vote for SantaBob. tkatt00, if you you hand't hept talking about GUYS...

Answer 4

I think you can take an interest in another team, but to actually be a diehard fan I believe you can only go with one team. I'm a lifelong Red Sox fan and that has and will never change, however, I do have a connection to the Pittsburgh area and like to follow the Pirates. Even though Pittsburgh is pretty terrible I like to follow thier prospects and hope for them to have a winning season. As unlikely as a Pittsburgh/Boston WS would be I couldn't imagine rooting for anyone but the Sox. If your loyalty can change because of your team having a bad season you probably were not that loyal of a fan in the first place.

Answer 5

A true fan doesn't care what the "stats" say - they have played the game and understand that there is more to a player's contributions than the numbers.

A true fan loves the game itself so much, they still play it, and will continue to play it in any capacity they can. (Guilty)

A true fan does know about the history of the game, and knows that there are other teams out there - and that the Yankees are the Evil Empire, the Nationals aren't the first team in DC, and that legends abound within the game.

A true fan will pony up a few thousand dollars to go to a Fantasy Camp. (Guilty)

A true fan will not allow you to disturb them during the action in a game, and will get extremely upset if they miss even the smallest thing. (That pisses me off)

Show up to the ballpark early, with your mitt; and never ever leave the park before the game is over. (NEVER)

Is accused of having a one-track mind, and not be referring to sex. (Guilty)

Has been to more than their home ballpark.

If they have tattoos, at least one of them is baseball themed (3 out of 6 on me).

Would lie about their intentions in order to go to a ballgame, but will tell the truth about going to a strip club.

Knows and understands the relevance of the Sandlot, Bull Durham, Major League, The Natural, and Bugs Bunny.

Knows and understands that there is very little allegiance to players and or coaches, but full allegiance to a team; but still acknowledges the greatness when it exists.

And is still recovering from the bruises from the last time out behind the plate, even at 38!

Answer 6

I agree w most of the previous posts, but I would put more emphasis on THE GAME, not the team....It's great to be a loyal fan of your team, but being a fan of the game is more.

Some came close mentioning history. The speech James Earl Jones makes in Field of Dreams hits upon the feeling.

Baseball is about life Our hopes, faith, traditions, disappointment, expectation, struggles, successes, failures, loyalty, and so much more rolled into one beautiful complex & simple game.

A true fan enjoys watching the local high school practicing , little league or the pros with equal delight. Knowing the rules is nice, but they have umpires for that.

The shortest answer? A true baseball fan knows that 90 feet between bases & 60 feet 6 inchs from pitcher's mound to plate are the most perfect distances applied to any sport!!

Answer 7

Someone who sticks with their team through thick and thin, good and bad and loyal. A real fan also supports his team wearing the colors of his team and attending games and rooting hard for them to win. I have been an avid Atlanta Braves fan since 1966 and have regularly attended games since that time and certainly have seen my share of good and bad teams but still cheering for them regardless as they are my hometown team and I love em! I also know a great deal about the history of the game and the great teams, players and managers so a great baseball fan should be knowledgable too from the past to the present. I mean for instance if you don't know who threw a perfect game in the 56 World Series how can you call yourself a true fan of the game? I love the game of baseball and appreciate the great history of America's National Pastime.

Answer 8

A true baseball fan sticks with their team, no matter what.
A true baseball fan knows the difference between called out on strikes, and struck out looking.
A true baseball fans doesnt ask silly questions about how good a player looks.
A true baseball fan appreciates the little bits and pieces of each game, and all the charm that goes with it.
A true baseball fan doesnt jump on the bandwagon every year just cuz the yankees are in 1st place by a half game.
A true baseball fan will love thier team, even when they lose 119 games in one year, then lose the world series 3 years after that.

Answer 9

I'm a true baseball fan.

I love the Mets.
I watch close to every inning of every game, every season.
I watch when they're 100-62
I watch when they're 62-100
I watch if they're in first place or last place.
I go to at least 15 games a year, even if they suck.
I know all the players on the team, I know most past players too.
I have the "NY" from the Mets hat tattooed on my forearm.
I love the Mets, always have, always will.

Not only that, but I love baseball in general.
I've been to games at Shea, Yankee, RFK, SBC and Fenway park.
I read every box score and follow the stats in the newspaper everyday.

I consider myself a true baseball fan, and I consider many of you true baseball fans too.

Lets Go Mets!

Answer 10

I think a true baseball fan is someone who truly enjoys the game. It can range from those fans who can name every single player on the team and all their stats and trophies that they've won, to someone who just watches the game on ESPN. As long as someone enjoys the game of baseball, I think they're qualified to be considered "true baseball fans."