Here at The Pitt News, we wave our No. 1 foam fingers in a proud salute to America’s pastime. So as opening day nears, let’s step out of the batter’s box and declare baseball’s opening day a national holiday, allowing citizens to embrace America’s favorite sport. 

Making Monday’s opening day a national holiday would take kids out of school, but there are lessons we can learn from the diamond. For one, baseball reflects the paradox that failure is the key to success, and dispels the taboo of striking out. The greatest hitters still fail seven out of 10 attempts. Understanding that one must persevere through failure to achieve success is a skill baseball can easily teach. 

Additionally, baseball is a team sport, yet each player must still play his or her role, and one star player cannot win the game for the entire team.

Let’s also remember that baseball has played a monumental role in our country’s cultural history. 

In the 1920s, Babe Ruth was as much a national hero as one could imagine. During World War II, many baseball greats, such as Ted Williams, joined the war effort and helped to defend our country against fascist aggression. In the 1960s, Simon & Garfunkel asked in their hit song “Mrs. Robinson,” “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you.” 

Baseball has also helped heal the country during its darkest days, such as when Mike Piazza hit a decisive home run 10 days after Sept. 11, 2001, leading the New York Mets to victory in a game during which they wore hats used by the city’s service agencies. 

Lastly, baseball’s majestic summer atmosphere is simply unparalleled. Going to the ballpark with family and friends on a sunny summer day or a clear summer evening is Americana at its finest. The crack of the bat, the smell of peanuts, the shout of hot dog vendors sauntering through the stands — how could you better spend a summer day or evening? 

Remember, many schools take off special days — such as the first day of deer hunting in more rural areas — so why not give students the day off to take in the sights and smells of baseball season’s beginning? As the boys of summer return next week, remember that we should enjoy baseball, a special component of American society, and celebrate it as our national pastime. 

And finally, let’s go Bucs!