Michigan Baseball

Cherry blossoms and daffodils, even morel mushroom all announce the end of winter and the start of spring. This means baseball, a traditional past time for Americans.

For more than a century and a half, dating to the 1830s, spring and summer have meant baseball, and this year is no different. Whether it’s Little League, that summer ritual built for kids, or the high school games, with its big-league feel, or the Major League version, with its epic runs to the thrill and heartbreak of October, baseball provides something at every level for every fan. This season expects to offer more of the thrills that fans look for.

If you’re looking to stay close to home but want to watch a great game of baseball, go no further than Traverse City. You can check out the Traverse City Pit Spitters. The Pitt Spitters are the region’s newest entry in the Northwoods League, which also includes teams from Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Iowa, Bismarck, and North Dakota to name a few. Some Northwoods League players have hit it out of the park and advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) just to name a few. The Pit Spitters, who took over Wuerfel Park from the Beach Bums of the Frontier League, open at home, typically in May and they play through August. This is a great opportunity to watch experienced players at a beautiful venue, and close to home.

Other notable openers include the beginning of local high school action, both Baseball and Softball. Games begin in April and It’s always a fun past time watching the youth in the community work hard, play hard, and enjoy the love of the game.

Local Little Leagues starts in May too, as long as winter weather doesn’t cause any delays or interruptions. This is another great opportunity to encourage and watch kids under the age of 13 learn new skills, sportsmanship, and love for the sport.

Major League Baseball is also ramping up for the new season, and it wouldn’t be baseball in Michigan without the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers played their very first game on April 24, 1901, have won four world series, the last being in 1984, and it’s the American dream to watch them win again. The long history, hall of famers and never forgotten world series wins are what the fans of baseball love. They will be taking the field again this spring and we will be cheering them on all the way.

Baseball is a rite of spring, ushering in the warmer temperatures and longer days, suggesting summer is only around the calendar’s corner now. So whether you cheer for little leaguers or big leaguers, professionals or amateurs, get ready to enjoy some of America’s favorite pastime.