Why Baseball is Better Than Football (Day 1 - Training)

Plain and simple: baseball is better than football.

Of course, we've all heard the old George Carlin monologue comparing football to baseball ("The object in football is to march downfield and penetrate enemy territory, and get into the end zone; in baseball, the object is to go home!"). But there's more for baseball fans to love. So over the next few days, I intend to prove it.


So, here we are. The football fans are a week in to their off-season hebetude (except for Packer fans; they're still recovering from overindulgent joy), and the baseball fans celebrate the eve of Pitchers and Catchers reporting (for most teams -- for some reason, the Twins start after everyone else). Spring is in the air and the better sport is about to start.


Baseball's spring training is miles better than football's training camp. Baseball training starts at just the right moment. Fans are weary of winter and need green grass, sunshine, and baseball activities to think about. However, football's training comes at the end of the summer, when it's hot and sticky. No one wants to think about two-a-days and sweating.

Sure, both football and baseball make their training facilities open to the public, and they both attract fans and the dollars those fans bring. However, because of timing and location, baseball's spring training makes for a lovely family vacation. Football's...not so much. In the case of Minnesota fans, where would you rather go? Florida or Mankato?

After all: "Baseball begins in the spring, the season of new life. Football begins in the fall, when everything's dying." - George Carlin

So, I plan to come up with other examples over the next few days. Up next: Going to the Games