I took my grandson, who is four years old, to his first baseball game last evening. I am wondering how you raise a kid to be a baseball fan? The minor league park here in Springfield is very nice, with a grassy area behind the outfield wall and along the left field line that is for general admission. This is where we sat (Along the left field line in the shade at first, then later we moved just inside the left field foul pole).

I would like to say we watched the game from beginning to end, but we watched very little of it. The attention span of a four-year-old is not long. He was bored by the second inning, so we played (At first we roughhoused in the grass, then I let him play in the bounce house). My goal was to occupy him until the seventh inning. In reality, we could have left long before that. The home team was out of it by the second inning. We stayed because I want my grandson to become a baseball fan. He watched some of the game in very small increments between playing. He asked some questions, mostly about homeruns (The Drillers hit several & one Cardinal hit two or three).

How do you get a child to develop a love for any sport, but especially baseball? I watch the game because I enjoy it. I love to see great defensive plays. I love great hitting and well placed hits. I love watching great pitching. I love the strategy of the game. Game strategy is beyond the comprehension of a small child. Four-year-olds do not sit still long, and they are easily bored. How did you develop a love for the game with your own children? What kind of tips can you give me, or any parent (grandparent) for their own children?

I can't get the photo to show up, so I'll post the link.

Watching the Drillers warm up during the middle of the fifth