Two more reasons to love the game of baseball

Good morning, sports fans. I have finally made up my mind and I have decided that baseball is by far the best sport around.

Some of you reading this may scoff at this notion and wonder why in the world I would come and boldly pledge my allegiance to the little white ball with 88 little red stiches.

Well, I am prepared to back up my statement in a few different ways, starting with the way that the National League playoff race is beginning to shape up. Think about it – there are eight teams fighting for four spots. Eight teams!

Not only are there five teams within three games of the Wild Card spot, but the biggest N.L. lead right now is two games.

While the tight races in the playoff picture is a great thing, the matchups that could potentially arise in September and October are to die for.

First, the big one could end up being a Cubs-Cardinals National Championship Series. If there is one thing that would make this campus turn into a riot zone that would be it.

There also could be a Giants-Dodgers NLCS, which would pit two teams with a hatred for each other that runs back over 50 years and a whole other coast ago.

Imagine a Diamondbacks-Cubs series. That would bring out the Mark Grace factor, as the Cubs would face off against their former long-term first baseman. Giants-Diamondbacks, Luis Gonzalez versus Barry Bonds. The Cardinals and Braves could end up playing each other, and they would probably play another epic series just as they have last year.

I have been informed that the American League also has a playoff race, or at least it used to. There are only three teams within six games of the Wild Card spot and Oakland seems to be running away with it behind Jason Giambi and a great pitching staff.

Even the American League division races have gotten out of hand, with the Twins and Boston falling off the face of the Earth, and Seattle playing head and shoulders above everyone all year there is just no excitement for American League life.

But I think I have blabbed about the big boys enough. Is there a better baseball event than the Little League World Series that is going on right now in South Williamsport, Pa.?

It’s great how every year the baseball world stops and goes back to its purest roots and watches 10, 11 and 12-year-old boys play like seasoned veterans.

It seems like every year there is a story line or two that grab everyone’s attention as well.

This year seems to be the performance of Yankees pitcher Danny Aliemonte. If you haven’t seen this kid pitch I recommend you do so. He threw a perfect game on Saturday with 16 strikeouts. As hard as he throws from that distance should be considered a form of suicide for opposing batters.

So there it is. Two great reasons why baseball is far and away the best show in town right now. From big league to Little

League, you just can’t beat it.