10 Ways to Make Baseball More Interesting

Baseball is commonly known as America's favorite pastime, but many people may find sitting through a game hard due to the lack of action. Watching a baseball game can be more interesting if you participate more in the activity that is going on around you. There are many ways to do this to make the game more exciting.

  1. Keep Score

    • Baseball is a game of statistics. Keep score to engage yourself in the game. Purchase a program at a Major League game and there will be a scorecard inside that will also explain how to score each play. Score strikeouts as a "K," and walks as "BB" (or bases on balls). Represent each position by its number. Pitchers are "1," catcher is "2" and so on around the bases. Represent the shortstop as "6," left field as "7," center as "8" and right field as "9." Record plays according to who caught the ball and where the out was made. For example, a ball hit to the shortstop and thrown to first to make the out would be scored as a "6-3" out.

    Learn the Terminology

    • The game of baseball is more than bats and gloves. Understand what the announcers mean when they say, "The ball is hit into the gap." The gap is the space between the outfielders. Know that the fourth player in the batting order is "batting clean-up". This is generally the best hitter on the team and the one who can hit to allow everyone on base to score. He "cleans up" the bases. Learning terminology will let others know that you know the game and will help you understand what's going on around you.

    Read the Program

    • Read the program so you know the players and their stats. Choose a favorite player from the team. Learn where he is from and know more about his background. You'll have more respect for the team if you get to know the players.

    Learn the Signals

    • Watch how the coaches communicate with the players on the field. Each team has different signals, but if you watch closely you will learn what your team's signs are. Watch the coach at third base signal the batters, then guess what will happen next based on what you saw.

    Learn the Pitches

    • Learn the types of grips for pitches. Sit behind home plate and watch the grip of the pitcher. Recognize a two-seam fastball when the index and middle finger sit on two of the "U"-shaped seams of the ball. The thumb is tucked under on the smooth part of the ball. Each pitch has a different grip. Other grips include the cutter, slider and change-up.

    Get Autographs

    • Get to the game early and get autographs of the players. Arrive to the park when the gates open for batting practice and you will have a better chance.

    Catch a Foul Ball

    • Bring your glove and watch for foul balls. Sit in outfield seats near the foul pole. Try to catch a home run ball if they come your way. Throw the ball back on field if the visiting team hit it. It's considered common etiquette for fans of the home team.

    Sing Along

    • Sing along with the chants that are played over the loudspeakers at the game. Cheer your team on.

    Start the Wave

    • Stand up and encourage others around you to start the wave. Get people to notice you and the wave might go all the way around the ballpark. One section of people stand up at the same time and then sit down while the next section stands up. This repeats with each section until it gets back to where it started.

    Heckle the Other Team

    • Yell at the other teams players. Distract them so it is harder to concentrate. Give your guys the edge to win the game.