Dear Fans,

Yesterday was opening day in baseball. It’s my favorite day, and it’s my favorite time of year. Arms are fresh, uniforms are crisp, and every team has the hope that can only exist in April.

Being a fan is serious business. It’s not just about rooting for a team and it’s not just about wearing a jersey. Being a fan is about learning to speak the language of the sport. 

And it takes a lot of time and effort to become fluent in the language of something. You have to read about it, talk to others about it, follow it. You have to pour over the box scores every morning and know exactly who is just barely on the roster and who is about to be. You have to dedicate a big part of your life to thinking about the game.

Whatever your obsession is, I hope you have the tools and work ethic to become fluent in the language of the thing.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck