Rays and Phillies fans are bound to find themselves in a state of panic today – some in a panic tinged with despair, others a euphoric panic. But after having must-watch baseball games nearly every night for the months of September and October, what are they to do with the extra three hours/night? So, as a public service, we offer these suggestions:
1) Read a book about baseball. This could be like methadone for you real addicts. I’d recommend The 33-Year-Old Rookie by Chris Coste (backup catcher for the Phillies) or Moneyball by Michael Lewis.
2) Get some sleep, for goodness sake. Go to bed early, get up early.
3) Sketch some ideas for some entertaining TV ads. After seeing the same four ads 86 times during the televised games certainly has demonstrated that most of us could do better than what’s out there.
4) Write letters to people – some real, live paper, snail-mail letters. It’s still possible. Four people in the US did it last year, so we know that it can be done.
5) Play some games with your family. The place to get your games, of course, is Funtoysia, if you live in the Bradenton area. Robin, the owner, is a seriously huge Phillies fan, but she’s still alright. They know games at Funtoysia, and we’ve gotten some of our favorite table ones there.
6) Go for walks. Lots of them. After spending an average of fifteen hours/week on the couch for two months, you could use some exercise.
7) Grab a neighbor you barely know (or your spouse or a child for that matter) and take them to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. If necessary, talk about baseball, but if you are daring, let the conversation roam. Ask them what they believe about God, and then just listen.
8) Take a challenge and read a book that will stretch your mind and deepen your relationship with God. Check out some of those listed here. If you don’t believe in God, or are skeptical about Christianity, there are suggestions in this list for you, too.
9) There are other sports that you could watch. None, though, can hold a match to the drama of the Rays’ season this year.
10) Use some of the time for prayer. Pray for missionaries. Pray for your family. Pray for your neighbors. But as you pray, remember to give thanks for ALL good gifts that our God has given us. Including baseball. I’m serious. And if you have trouble with that concept, read here why God enjoys baseball!
Gail and Keith
The Rays gave us an exciting season and the sport gained thousands of new fans. Eight Men Out, The Black Sox and the 1919 World Series by Eliot Asinof is a good read. Now we continue on with college football (Go Gators, Go Penn State!) and hockey! http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/ You don’t get a faster, more energetic sport than hockey. Basketball, neah, not so much. G
Randy Greenwald
Thanks for the recommendation. Actually Jeremy had recommended that to me (twice) and I kept forgetting the name. Now it is safely tucked away in my Amazon.com wishlist, for any gift buyers out there…. Click here! (In case you didn’t know where to go… :-)Oh, I have no shame.
Gail and Keith
Hey, you may borrow our copy! Notice how I missed the hint. 🙂 G
Matthew
If you want to found out anything and everything you ever wanted to know about all the diffrent dynamics that go into not only the playing but the broadcasting of the game Tim McCarver’s Baseball for Brain Surgeons and Other Fans: Understanding and Interpreting the Game So You Can Watch It Like a Pro is a great read to get you ready for next season.
Randy Greenwald
Well, Matthew, sounds good to me. And gee, if I’m not mistaken, Christmas is just around the corner…So, what do you think of this guy’s assessment on Amazon.com: “Don’t bother to pick this up … McCarver has no business writing about something he doesn’t understand. There are much better ways to spend your hard earned cash!!”Did he read the same book?!
Matthew
You may or may not like Tim McCarver and his broadcasting ability’s, but one thing he does know is baseball.
Rebekah
I have a great #11 thing to do: Watch NHL hockey, preferably the Tampa Bay Lightning.