NOTE: *I write a weekly sports column for Sacramento State’s paper The State Hornet, and these are reposts of those. To see the original article go to statehornet.com
What do you want to do before you die?
Maybe you’ve seen the movie “The Bucket List” starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, or maybe you’ve seen MTV’s hit reality series “The Buried Life.” Either way, you have probably heard of a bucket list. It’s a compilation of things in the form of a list that you want to do or accomplish before you die.
This is the first in a series of three. Here is a list of 10 things baseball fans should do before they die.
10. Hit up the baseball bat factory in Louisville, Ky.
Why not visit the home of the Louisville Slugger? Since 1884, the Louisville Slugger has been in the hands of some of the greatest baseball players of all time. There is even a museum dedicated to the factory where you can watch bat production, get personalized bats, and see a Louisville Slugger Walk of Fame.
9. Meet your favorite player and get an autograph
How famous your favorite players are kind of determines how easy it is to get access to them. But most MLB teams host player appearances and fan appreciation days where some of the big names for your team appear. Also, some ballparks let fans hang out near the dugout before the first pitch; if you’re lucky, you might be able to snag an autograph during that time.
8. Boo the Yankees in person
This one isn’t for everyone, but if you despise the New York Yankees like I do, this is a good list item for you. Use your hatred of the pinstripes to plan a trip to the Big Apple, and get some tickets to the new Yankees Stadium. Although you could wait until the Yankees play your home team in your town, it just doesn’t seem like the same thing. Boo them on their own field.
7. Visit Wrigley Field
Despite the fact the Chicago Cubs don’t win much, their field is a winner. Wrigley Field is the second oldest active major league ballpark, and every year baseball fans flock to get a seat. The field is known for its ivy-covered outfield walls and hand-turned scoreboard. Wrigley field also offers rooftop seats and is famous for its iconic marquee sign in the front.
6. Visit Fenway Park
Every baseball fan, no matter how you feel about the Boston Red Sox, should visit Fenway Park. Fenway is known as “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark,” and is the oldest MLB stadium still in use. It has been said that every home game since 2003 has sold out. Some of the more notable features of Fenway are The Green Monster, which is the nickname of the left field wall, and the lone red seat in the right field bleachers. The red seat signifies the longest home run ever hit at Fenway.
5. Visit Cooperstown
Cooperstown, N.Y., is home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Need I say more?
4. Visit the Field of Dreams
First of all, if you haven’t seen the movie Field of Dreams, you need to. Secondly, once you have seen the movie, you should visit the site of the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, and the old Durham Athletic Park, where another famous baseball movie (that you need to see), Bull Durham, takes place.
3. Go to Spring Training
Ultimate baseball fans will flock to spring training to see the practices and talent for the upcoming season. Most training either takes place in Florida or in Arizona. Plan a road trip with your crew. I hear the players are very approachable and fun during spring training. Here’s another chance to cross out No. 9.
2. Go to the All-Star Game
This Midsummer Classic is the game for the best-of-the-best in MLB. Every July, at just about the midway point of baseball season there is a three-day break for the All-Star Game. Fans vote for their favorite players on teams, and at least one player from every team is chosen. It’s the ultimate battle of the American League and the National League, and they play for World Series homefield advantage.
1. Go to the World Series
This one doesn’t need much explanation, but this would be the ultimate baseball fan experience. Imagine your team, in mid-October, battling for the World title. A sold out crowd. The most intense form of fans. There is no way it would not be the greatest experience of your life—win or lose.
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