Baseball?

I've taken a lot of (good-natured) teasing recently about my new interest in the Texas Rangers.  Admittedly, I'm a bandwagon fan.  I didn't begin paying attention until they began winning consistently and the season got exciting last summer/fall.

However, the idea that I hate baseball is one I frequently have to put down.  I do not (nor have I ever) hated baseball.  I've known very little about baseball.  I've understood very little about baseball.  I've had few reasons to be interested in baseball.  Hate is a strong word; apathetic would be a more appropriate term for my attitude toward baseball in the past.

Here's the deal, even now, as much as I'm enjoying the Rangers and keeping up with their season, it's got very little to do with a newfound love for baseball.  I'll tell you a secret about me, and if you can keep this one in mind, it'll unlock many mysteries concerning me.  I love people.  Period.

In this current season of my life, I am surrounded (constantly, it seems) by baseball loving fanatics.  They watch baseball, they go to baseball games, they talk about baseball, they even play fantasy baseball.  And, I love these people.  I think they're pretty fun and cool and interesting people, and I enjoy being around them.  So, I am learning about baseball.  And, surprisingly, it's been kind of interesting.  There's a lot more strategy and skill to the game than I ever imagined.  But, the joy in it for me is getting to participate in something for which the people I love have a passion.