The Collegian

Media Credit: Maeve Gormly HOME SUPPORT: Fans enjoying the rain at a home game.

Media Credit: Maeve Gormly HOME SUPPORT: May 1st against the Bakersfield Blaze.

Baseball is the great American pastime. It unites young and old around the diamond, from you and Great Uncle Lou to the Giants' ace Tim Lincecum and papa pitcher Randy Johnson.

Stockton residents can enjoy baseball locally at four-year- old Banner Island Park with Oakland As affiliate the Stockton Ports.

The Stockton Ports, who won the California League Championship last year, have strong and steady support from Stockton residents despite alosing record thus far this season.

Like most baseball stadiums, the Ports offer various specialty nights throughout the season, including Prom Gone Wrong night when fans dress up in tacky formal clothing, and No Pants Day, when the use of traditional leg-coverings is discouraged.

With tickets available for as little as $5, people can spend a spring or summer night appreciating baseball for all it has to offer.

Baseball players demonstrate exemplary sportsmanship beyond other team athletes: for all the spitting and assslapping, baseball is a classy sport. Baseball players exemplify this on a regular basis, from the friendly union of opposing teams during the All Star game to day-to-day play.

When brand new Giants pitcher Joe Martinez received a sickening line drive to the head in his fi rst ever Major League inning at the beginning of the season, his fellow Giants did not crucify the batter, Brewers center fi elder Mike Cameron, as they waited to see the extent of Martinez's injuries.

Instead Giants players - including left fi elder Fred Lewis, who once hit a line drive into a pitcher's head during his stint in minor leagues, according to Giants commentators - comforted a clearly shaken Cameron.

In baseball, while rabid fans cheer and jeer, the competition ultimately remains friendly and at the end of the day, it's still a game. When one player falls, the rest of the League feels the shock and gives support.

So the next time you experience frustration at the lack of local events, consider experiencing the joys of baseball by heading out to Banner Island Park with a parent, sibling, friend or date, and don't forget

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