Baseball Games—Like Life—Are Going By Too Fast, and I’m Fucking Tired of It.
Baseball is one of the few joys left in my life, and it’s being ruined by high ticket prices and that goddamn pitch clock.
As I sit here watching yet another baseball game fly by on my small television set, I can't help but feel a deep sense of sadness. These games, which used to last for what felt like an eternity, now seem to be over in the blink of an eye thanks to that goddamn pitch clock. It's a cruel reminder that time waits for no one, and that life, like a baseball game, can slip away from you before you even realize it.
It seems like only yesterday I was a young debt-free boy, spending endless afternoons at the ball field, cheering on my favorite team and players. In those days, you could settle into your seat with a cold beer (that cost twenty-five cents!) and a hot dog (that cost a nickel!), and watch the game unfold before your eyes. There was no rush, no hurry, no punk kids posting selfie photographs on Instagram.com or Tik Tok.com—just the simple joy of watching America's pastime.
But now, everything is so rushed. The games go by so quickly, and before you know it, it's over. It's like life in a way, rushing past us so quickly that we barely have time to catch our breath.
When I do get the chance to go to a baseball game (which is rare), I cherish every moment. But every time the ninth inning rolls around, I get a sinking feeling in my chest. It means I have to go back to reality, back to being an 83-year-old “blogger” (it pains me to even type that word, but that’s what I am) with absolutely no savings and crippling credit card debt.
I would love to be able to take my grandkids to a ball game, but I simply can’t afford to buy tickets. I'm so broke that it actually makes me cry when I stop and think about it. I don't want to burden my family with my financial problems, so I try to put on a brave face. But deep down, I'm filled with regret and sadness.
“I’m so broke that it actually makes me cry when I stop and think about it.”
Baseball was always my escape from the sad grind of my life. But now, even that escape seems to be slipping away from me. I long for the days when games were longer, and life moved at a slower pace. But for now, I am stuck in this fast-paced world, struggling to make ends meet, and hoping for a miracle to come my way.
At least it will all be over soon.