Opening Day: The first sign of spring

On this day, the sun shines a little bit brighter in the sports world as Major League Baseball season gets underway in earnest.  Forget the games that were played in Australia earlier in March, or even last night’s game in San Diego between the Dodgers and Padres.  For most teams, today is the beginning of a 162-game endeavor which only ends with a championship for one team but on this day, everybody is equal. It’s a whole new season and on Major League Baseball opening day, we truly get the feeling that winter is a thing of the past and the spring has arrived.

There are games nationally televised throughout the day, and opening day has became a full day marathon of baseball and sports fans throughout the country campaign are sure to raise their sentiments that opening day should be a national holiday.  What’s so refreshing about opening day is that it’s a breath of fresh air.  Fans of teams with low expectations for the season get excited to see their team tied with everyone else in the standings, and those supporting contenders are looking forward to a season that may see their team having a parade in October.  But on opening day, everyone is the same.  Everyone is just excited that baseball season is here.

The sights and sounds of baseball return to remind us why we love the game.  The crackle of the bat connecting with the ball, 95-mile per hour fastballs zooming into the catcher’s glove for strike three, and the starting pitchers who have the day off sitting in the front row of the dugout spitting sunflower seeds taking in the action are all identifiable actions that baseball is back.

Sold out ballparks with hopeful fans are the symbols of everyone’s excitement for baseball again.  The first day of the regular season in all sports usually brings good vibes throughout the air, but it’s a little different in baseball.  While the first day is just one of 162, the reinvigorating energy on opening day in Major League Baseball for what’s to come in the summer and into the fall is unparalleled.

There are so many predictions to make, so many stories to keep an eye, and lots of intriguing players and teams primed for breakout seasons while others are sure to disappoint.  So when it all begins on opening day it’s when we can celebrate the great unknowns.  It makes for great conversation.  Who’s going to win the Cy Young awards, MVPs, Rookie of the year, and most importantly the world series? It’s all up for debate on opening day when it all gets started and since the regular season is just beginning, there is no wrong answer to any of those questions.