If Soccer is the "Beautiful Game" Then Baseball is the Most "Perfect" Game

The world worships the game of "futbol", which indrama of virtually every pitch and play.
America we call soccer. While soccer has enjoyedImagine if bases were closer, or further, than 90
phenomenal growth as a popular sport for malefeet apart. The bang-bang play at first would
and female children, and at the high school andalmost never happen. If bases were closer the
college levels, the game has not succeeded on thestolen base would be automatic, even for slower
professional level in the United States. In the restrunners. The bases are laid out in a diamond,
of the world, however, soccer is the most rabidlywhich provides a perfect path for runners to
followed of all sports.pursue and fielders to target. The pitcher's mound,
"Futbol" has been ordained the "Beautiful Game"a small hill, is 60 feet, six inches from the point of
by the soccer mad fans addicted to the game.home plate. If the rubber on the mound, which
Because the use of hands to control the ball isthe pitcher uses to gain purchase and leverage
not allowed, the game requires immense foot/eyewhile throwing to the batter, were closer than 60',
co-ordination, speed, balance, aggression and a6" the batter would have almost no chance of
chess-like strategic vision of the complete field ofever hitting the ball. If the rubber were further
play. The flow of the game, which can seem slowback the hitter would enjoy an unfair advantage.
to casual observers, is part of the beauty of theThe strike zone is designed to balance the
game which heightens the passion the sportopportunity for the pitcher and hitter to succeed
enjoys among its rabid followers.on a competitive basis. Three strikes and the
I have lived in Europe and travelled widely,batter is called out; but an at bat can be
including second and third world countries. It is anextended indefinitely by fouling off pitches. Four
amazing sight to see a country completelyballs and the hitter earns a free pass to first
mesmerized, the population, men and women, oldbase, thereby forcing the pitcher to throw strikes
and young, glued to television screens, as keyor give up base runners which can lead to runs
matches are contested. Games between clubsscored.
from different countries create an unbelievableThe most wonderful thing about the game of
outpouring of nationalism.baseball is best described by the great Yogi
Soccer is a beautiful game. And if that claim isBerra's famous statement, "it ain't over 'til it's
true, then I believe baseball is the perfect game.over"! Unlike every other team sport there is no
The pace of soccer and baseball are similar in thattime limit in baseball. The game does not end until
much of the play is spent in preparation for thethe last out of the ninth inning is secured. It is
difficult tasks of scoring, goals in soccer, runs inpossible, and does happen regularly, that a team
baseball. Both are total team games, and yet,can be seemingly so far behind in the run count
both require individuals to perform at high levels.that the outcome of the game seems inevitable,
The shortstop in baseball is completely alone whenbut a few hits, a few walks, an error and all of a
attempting to field a hard hit ball, but he needssudden there is hope that the outcome will be
other players to perform their roles in order toreversed.
throw out base runners.Spring training, baseball on radio, hot dogs and
The symmetry of baseball is amazingly perfect.beer at the park and the opportunity to enjoy a
The game has been idealized to have beengame played at a leisurely pace on a warm
invented by Abner Doubleday in an upstate Newsummer night while kibitzing with friends all make
York field in the mid-19th century. Maybe, maybebaseball the "perfect game". It is every bit as
not! However, whoever really crafted the rules ofbeautiful as soccer, but played well, there is no
the game designed a field of play with perfectsport as perfectly crafted and structured as
dimensions. The dimensions actually increase thebaseball.