The Major League Baseball season started last Sunday, and the level of interest certainly varies dramatically.
Some may follow every pitch while others could care less. Both probably use expressions derived from the sport's jargon, whether they know it or not.
If one is skeptical about this assertion and thinks the premise is "way off base," maybe they should "step up to the plate" and listen to how much baseball phraseology is actually used. It is difficult to give a "ballpark figure" as to how popular it is, but do not dismiss its usage as being "bush league" or "coming out of left field."
Robert Scott, freshman biomedical engineering major, says his favorite sport is basketball. Still, he often uses baseball phrases in his conversations.
"I use a lot of them," he said. "I agree that a lot have to do with dating and sex. A lot of people use the first base, second base thing, talking about girls."
Kevin Woods, junior graphic design major, also mentioned the 'base' metaphor for sex and included a few others.
"I guess I say 'bush league' a lot when something isn't done or made well," he said. "I know I've heard 'curveball' in songs before, like somebody threw me a curveball and I swung and missed."
Woods, when presented with a list of more than 20 such terms, said he used them all. However, he said he did not believe it was universal.
"I would say that guys use them more than girls," he said. "We follow sports more, in general, so we use that terminology more."
Valencia Sims, freshman nursing major, was surprised at how many baseball-related phrases she uses, even though she does not follow the sport.
"Rain check - I didn't even know that came from baseball," she said.
After reading the list and seeing several she uses, Sims said, "I guess I use more than I thought."
Like Sims, many may use these types of phrases without knowing their origins. Several examples include: out of left field (from out of nowhere), batting 1,000 (perfect), southpaw (left-handed person), to touch base (briefly meet or talk to), to play hardball (be serious and unbending) and drop the ball (to fail in one's responsibilities).
In addition to baseball slang that has infiltrated the mainstream, many quotations come from the national pastime. The author of some of the most famous is former New York Yankee catcher Yogi Berra.
His most famous of these is probably, "It ain't over 'til it's over." This has been used to encourage those in any losing or difficult situation.
Another Yogiism that implores those with a difficult decision to attack it head on is the saying, "If you get to a fork in the road, take it."
If that line reminds you of a famous poem by Robert Frost, who incidentally once compared poets to baseball pitchers, perhaps another quote from Berra would apply.
"It's like déjà vu all over again."
Other Yogi Berra quotations:
"Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded."
"You can observe a lot by watching."
"The future ain't what it used to be."
"A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore."
When someone told him he looked 'cool,' he said, "Thanks, you don't look so hot yourself."
