Story of the Fans at Spring Training
Story by Brad Huber
[email protected] Each baseball fan has his or her own story. Some have come to Spring Training because they are a fan of the team, others because they are a fan of the sport. The fans are the reason why Spring Training is special. Whether it is a dad bringing his daughter to a game or a man who has traveled to both Florida and Arizona for Spring Training over his lifetime. A common theme of Spring Training is it is a renewal of America’s Pastime. Every team is 0-0 and has an equal shot at competing for a World Series crown. Bob Crotty from Cincinnati, Ohio is a diehard baseball fan and has been going to Spring Training games for over 20 years. “Its that time of year where hope springs eternal,” Crotty said. “Every team is in first place and everybody wishes nothing but the best for their team and looking forward to a phenomenal season.” Crotty owns a baseball museum in Cincinnati and donates memorabilia to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. “I'm a baseball junkie so I go to Florida and Arizona,” Crotty said. The love of the game of baseball is routinely passed on from generation to generation from parents to kids and fathers to sons. Larry and Noah Rothstein from New Jersey traveled down to Port St. Lucie to watch their beloved New York Mets. “Its vitally important to all three of my kids that I pass down the baseball passion.” Larry Rothstein said, “My dad certainly gave me the love of baseball and ever since my kids were born, baseball has been a very important part of their lives.” Baseball is America’s pastime and it would not be that way if dads and moms did not pass down the love of the game to their kids to continue the tradition. Spring Training is the start of a long and grueling season for players, coaches and broadcasters, but the fans are the ones who benefit the most from Spring Training. “You can get up close to the players and you get access that you normally do not get at a Major League ball park,” Larry Rothstein said. Players and managers are more relaxed during Spring Training and are more likely to sign autographs as well as to take pictures with fans before games. Spring Training renews an annual bond between fans and the team that they love. The 2012 baseball season begins and 30 teams have a chance to bring home the World Series Championship to their home field. |
Map of where Spring Training Fans came from
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