Strategy makes baseball great

There is no question Major League Baseball has seen better days. With outrageous salaries, teams that don't try and the same teams in the playoffs every year, there are many reasons for fans to steer toward other sports.\nWhile the structure is not there, and the action is far less obvious, there will always be one area where baseball will have the advantage over its rival sports -- strategy.\nI'm not trying to say football schemes and decisions are rare, or that basketball coaches don't have rough jobs. And I'm not trying to imply that hockey players and coaches don't have to make decisions at all times. \nBut baseball is for the fan who thrives on out-thinking his or her opponent. Or for the fan who likes a game where every decision can be scrutinized. Or for the fan who relishes that every action has a reason behind it. In this regard, there is no sport that compares to baseball.\nSo as pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week, take a closer look at the season. Pay attention to the details of the game. See how interesting it really is.\nThe strategy begins long before the first pitch, as scouting reports divulge information about how players hit against a given pitcher, about what pitches hitters like and so on. Once the game does begin, every play has a purpose. \nBefore the pitch, fielders align themselves as to where they believe the ball will go. Every pitch is thrown with thought behind it; even the pitches that seem useless are usually set-ups. When a pitcher throws a curveball with a 1-1 count, it's not without thought. Whether the batter hits it depends not only on execution -- which is difficult in itself -- but on anticipation. The hitter might decide to lay off, expecting a better pitch later. Or he might be waiting for the wrong type of pitch, and not have adequate time to adjust.\nEven when the batter does make contact with the ball, a decision is being made. Most Major League hitters are good enough to determine where on the field the ball will go. If the pitch is outside, maybe he will take it to the opposite field. If there is a runner on third base, he might want to hit a fly ball.\nPlayers' actions -- what pitch to throw, when to steal, what pitch to take -- are often a by-product of their managers wishes. Not only are managers deciding whether or not to steal, or to throw a pitchout, but they are making decisions for the long season as well. A pitcher struggling in the fifth inning in May could get yanked, simply to save his arm for the long summer.\nThere is no question that baseball is a different game. During the last 10 years, professional sports have developed into much more physical and aggressive games, but baseball has remained the same. Brutality is now in vogue, but that usually comes at the expense of intelligence -- if you don't believe me, look at a certain football league that, while exciting, is anything but intelligent.\nSo instead of complaining that baseball is boring, make an attempt to get more involved and think along with the teams. Try to guess what pitch will be thrown. Try to guess where the ball will be hit. Try to anticipate which teams will win on home runs, and which teams will win by stealing bases.\nBy becoming more involved, fans can begin to appreciate all the unique facets that professional baseball has to offer. No other sport puts teams against each other three games in a row. This does have an impact on what happens over the course of the series. No other sport plays seven days a week, allowing players who struggle a chance to immediately redeem themselves.\nI am not trying to put down the other professional sports. I love football, and I am a huge fan of basketball. But ever since I was a Little Leaguer, I could always tell that there was something special about baseball. \nGive the sport a chance from a different angle, because there will not be too many collisions at home plate, or an abundance of "base-brawls," but there will be continuous action. It just requires a closer look.