Well, it’s finally here. Baseball season 2007. This past weekend the Washington Post Magazine ran a story about a woman who set out throughout the 2006 season to become a baseball fan. The author didn’t understand the magic and appeal experienced by so many who love this great game. One blogger recently explained the article in the launch of her new blog, HerSportsPOV.It is in that spirit that we want to share our story — the story of three young women learning to love baseabll in Washington DC, learning to stand by your team through the tough times, and learning as much as we can about America’s pasttime.It took a couple games to catch our interest, but we spent our 2006 summer nights under the stars at RFK, absorbing the energy and magic that is a baseball game, win or lose. We were each drawn to different players, but before any one in particular, we loved our team and the game.Baseball got us out of our cubes and offices. We quickly realized that we could leave our worlds outside of the stadium. For a few hours, we could cheer for our favorites, clap and scream, sing Sweet Caroline, watch children run after foul balls, and appreciate the enormous talent of each of our players.Baseball, we have come to believe, is more than a business. Washington may not be winning as many games as we’d like this year, but baseball is about much more than winning. Baseball is about team and community; the unity Manny Acta keeps speaking of makes it easy to believe in his leadership and direction.Baseball is the American pasttime because it represents some aspect of that great American dream we’ve heard so much about. In a city where ethics and values are questioned regularly, baseball reminds us that a talented little leaguer can one day become a star. Baseball says no matter who you are, or where you were raised, no matter your skin color or race, or even your family’s income, you can become successful. And while personal ethical challenges abound in every industry, there is much good that the Washington Nationals have brought our community. Beltway types too often measure success in power and money. Is success not reaching out to a young child — one who proudly wears your jersey number on his back to home games? What of a player’s dedication to raising money to find a cure to MS?Success is more than power, money and a high batting average. Win or lose, the Nationals are fostering a community in a city full of people from other places, where politics may divide us, but perhaps baseball brings us together. Win or lose, we are going to tell you the story of our transformation into baseball fans. We will keep it light; we are still learning after all. But we are going to stand with these fine young men throughout this season and many more, because — after all — we’ve got heart.
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