Ok, hear me out.
In Catholicism, we have the endless Communion of Saints—holy men and women whose excellence in life we honor. One can collect holy cards and sacramentals of their most beloved patrons.
In baseball, there’s the famous Hall of Fame, filled with names of players whose abilities have marked them as the best of the best, worthy of remembrance and honor. Baseball fans collect the player cards and jerseys of their favorite players and teams.
There’s a sense of ritual in both. Both follow strict rules, place a strong emphasis on seasons and time, and hold to a real belief in the importance of history and tradition.
Both Catholicism and baseball have millions of devoted followers, the most devoted of which generate oceans of statistics, facts, and lore. For instance, ask any dedicated baseball fan who has the highest lifetime batting average, with a minimum of 1,000 at-bats, and they’ll quickly respond with Ty Cobb. Next, ask a devoted Catholic which pope had the longest reign (after St. Peter) and the shortest reign and they’ll know to respond with Pius IX and Urban VII.
Although these are lighthearted comparisons, and there are obvious and important differences between Catholicism and baseball, it is a fun practice to note the ways things in our culture mirror the deep riches of our Faith. The Church’s profound impact has touched so many aspects of our culture.
Moreover, there are even more genuine parallels between baseball and Catholicism, some of which can help us understand our Faith more deeply! Author and baseball fan Gary Graf explores the surprising relationship between our Faith and baseball in his beloved book And God Said, “Play Ball!” This fun, faithful book makes the Bible more approachable by relating it to a game loved by both children and adults. It also shows that baseball is not only a game but a never-ending series of lessons about life as well. The perfect Easter gift for the baseball fan in your life! Order your copy today from The Catholic Company!
