MidValleySports.Com

Robin Renay and her husband that “49er Fan”.

By Robin Renay

I once was told with the season of fall comes change. It always does; there is no stopping it. For most those changes are typically for the better. For example, the changing of the leaves from bright green to a blend of yellow, orange, and red hues, bring pleasure to our daily lives. 

The change in season brings about a change in sports. Whether or not we like it, we start to see a change in the sports talk at work, home, or school. With the change comes a talk from post-season baseball playoffs, to which NFL teams had a surprise win over the weekend.

I also started to witness a change in our home concerning sports and which game was to be heard on our TV.

I first noticed the “change” with the start of the MLB playoffs. My hubby and I were constantly switching the channel back and forth between a football game and the playoffs between the Tigers and the Red Sox. At the end of the playoff, with the Red Sox (aka Team Sparta (due to their excessive facial hair)) and the Cardinals advancing on to the “mother” of all baseball games, the World Series, baseball suddenly became a priority to watch.

Admittedly, as much as I love baseball, I had began to focus my attention on football, largely in part due to my decision to educate myself on the game this year, in order to keep my “one and only” part of my life during the season. I knew when comparing the two sports, there are obvious differences. I realized quickly I was going to have to change the way I not only watch the game, but the way I interacted with my husband, while spending our time together, doing what had become our favorite past time…. watching sports.

There was a “change” in the type of excitement that came with watching baseball, instead of football. In football, I found myself on the edge of the couch, holding my breath; eyes wide open, hoping like heck the field goal kicker was going to be able to kick the ball between the two poles at the end of the field. In baseball, I found myself excited after waiting patiently for the pitcher on the mound, to strike out the batter, ending an inning with bases loaded.

While watching both sports, I noticed a “change” in the speed of the sport. With football I was constantly screaming out, “Yah,” with what seemed like every other play. With baseball, I would find myself having to wait a few innings before I would witness an incredible hit, sending the runners rounding the bases and scoring for their team.

I noticed a “change” in the sounds I would hear. From the crack of the bat, when the ball made contact and went soaring out of the stadium, to the distant blow of the whistle as yellow flags would go flying due to a call from the referee.

A “change” in my conversations with my man; from talking about which college team was favored to win on Saturday, to discussing the play that was reversed in the first inning of Game 1, of the World Series. I was informed a reverse call is very rare in baseball.

By the end of the World Series, which went all the way to Game 6, with the Red Sox winning, I noticed a “change” in my thoughts concerning sports. It was as though the World Series was a way to say “goodbye” to America’s favorite summer past time, for just a bit, and welcome the sounds that come during the Fall, with the sport of football.

From the sound of the rat a tat tat of the snare drum, on college game day, to the sound of big tough guys slamming into one another, to the crowds screaming out in excitement as the running back scores a touchdown, and to the endless chatter about Fantasy football teams.

I was ready for the “change” that I was not able to stop. Ready to take on the change from watching my favorite baseball team, to watching Monday Night football. Ready to give up the feel of sunflower seeds between my lips, and eat some chili instead. Ready to watch closely as the teams in the NFL fight to get one step closer to the Super Bowl and the chance to become the number one team. Ready to take on the winter months, until it is time for yet another “change” into the season of spring, and the crack of the bat, at none other than spring training.

But for now, until the “change” of the seasons takes place again, I will continue to watch Football, to get excited over plays like the one that took place when the Huskers were playing Northwestern. The “Miracle in Memorial” happened as a Hail Mary was completed with no time left on the clock, allowing a Husker win of 27 to 24. One of the most exciting plays I have seen so far this season! The excitement will continue as I am anxiously waiting for Saturday when the Huskers take on the Michigan Wolverines. Exciting for me because I happen to reside in Michigan, and I will not be flying a flag of yellow and blue, but one of red and white. #GO BIG RED! #Huskers

Hoping that everyone enjoys Week 10 of the NFL.

Robin Renay is a freelance writer living in Michigan, a life long San Francisco Giants fan, and a firm believer in all things Tim Lincecum (even when he’s being paid 35-million over the next two years).