Baseball programs are offered in many schools, and youth leagues are also popular. Softball, a direct derivative of baseball, is also popular, especially among young women. The Minor Leagues are ultimately a farming ground for grooming young players who will later be brought up to play for Major League Baseball clubs. Ball players in the major leagues make millions of dollars playing the game and usually go on to coach or own their own teams after retirement. For over a century, families have spent their afternoons together at the ballpark, cheering for their home teams and eating hot dogs and drinking soda. Its been a favorite family event as far back as anyone can remember. In fact, in the modern era of television and radio, many regularly scheduled programs show reruns during the World Series so they do not compete with the popularity of the games. Though little has threatened the love of the game in the past, the recent steroid scandal has cast a shadow over Major League Baseball and divided its fans. Hopefully, the issue will blow over, and this fine American tradition will continue to bring people together for years to come. Despite it losing its luster as the most watched sport in the United States. |
