Or so I’ve been told. I am one of the crazy “Cardinal Nation” members who does not revolve my life around when the season starts, which players are injured, or obsessing about trades in the fantasy baseball league, even though I was suckered into playing in one. I have, however managed a to find a way to make the next few months bearable between the taunting within the league and the non-stop baseball coverage. It’s what we refer to as the “brownie point” system. It’s where the less enthused can still enjoy the game and score points with the fans in the room. When I decided to marry an avid Cardinals fan, I knew I had to come up with a way to keep myself interested, and still stand a chance against the tv set.

I began paying a little more attention to the players on the team. I tried to remember the stats during the sports on the news. I’s listen to the sports radio and immediately called with sports updates, although most of the time he already knew. In return, my husband started handing out “brownie points.” It’s almost a game within a game and it makes it fun. Whats even funnier is I’ve gotten so good sometimes he forgets I know, or knew, next to nothing about baseball and now we hold conversations about traded players, injury reports and stats. It doesn’t hurt that the players aren’t too bad on the eyes either!

The fantasy league isn’t too bad either. Although it JUST started so I may change my mind. In our league I am the common link between a lot of the players. While one guy is dangling a Pujols trade in front of everyone like a carrot to a donkey, I get to hear all the grumbles while still stirring the pot. I think the trade offer I received was the most fair, which of course must be because I’m the only girl in the league and the favorite, right?

Personally, I am counting down the days until football season starts. For now here is my little piece of advice for those obsessed with and those who love the obsessed with fans. Obsessed fans: If the one you love is not a fan, but watches games with you, sits in brutal summer weather attending games with you, and smiles the whole time, PLEASE acknowledge that. We are not falling in love with the game. We will put with the game to be with you. For those of us not in love with baseball, since it’s that time of year again, a little interest goes a long way. Now, Let’s Play Ball!!!!