Baseball's Magic: Superstition

Every sport has its superstitions, and baseball is no different. In fact, baseball might be the most superstitious sport of all. From hours before the game until the stadium lights are turned off, players from recreational to the major leagues all partake in some superstition or another. Superstitions have been created to give players a comfort zone. A player believes that he is doing well and continues to do the same things he has done in pervious games, he will continue to ride the wave of good fortune. In a game where so much relies on what the other team does, superstitions allow baseball players to have some control of the game.

It starts hours before the game and ends as the final notes of the National Anthem are sung, the pre-game rituals. As players begin to get ready for the game, they begin to get dressed and partake in one of the first of many superstitions. The player will usually get dressed the same way before every game. After getting dressed, the team takes to the field. Perhaps the most basic baseball superstition is the way a team takes its practice round of infield while warming up. It is believed that taking infield is the players' final preparation for the game. Infield is used by many managers and coaches to determine what players give their team the best possible chance to win. If a player has an outstanding round of infield, then he might be placed into the starting lineup. Another superstition occurs from the time a player steps on the field.

Once a player hits the field he is never to step on the foul lines. Usually players can be seen staying off the line while they are warming up, and if you notice when players run on and off the field during a switch, they will usually hop over the line. The only exception to this occurs when a batter is running to first base or from third to home plate. It is only at this time where stepping on the foul line is not considered to be bad luck. During warm ups and batting practice, players continue to have superstitions. If a player is doing well he will usually: throw with the same person he did the previous day, shag balls in the same location during bating practice, and hit after the same person while taking swings in the cage. As the pre-game finishes up and game time draw near players finish up their pre-game superstitions. Some player will jog or spring to keep their legs loose while others will hang around in the dugout. The final pre-game superstition takes place during the National Anthem. Each player will go through the Anthem in his own way, from the way they stand, to singing.

Baseball superstitions do not stop once the first pitch has been thrown. When a player goes up to bat, he will usually use the same bat. In addition to using the same bat, he will have a unique way to step into the batter's box. Some ways include adjusting your batting gloves and helmet, while or are as simple as having no ritual. In certain situations in the game, unique superstitions come into play. If a pitcher is throwing a no hitter, no one may say anything about the feat. Players on the pitchers team must not mention anything about the no hitter to anyone. The pitcher usually will stay away from his teammates while in the dugout. During the game if there happens to be two strikes, two balls, and two outs, the team that is hitting will perform a superstition. In a hope to give their batter luck, players will usually rub the side of their hat with their index and middle fingers. This is commonly referred to as "deuces" or "energizing". One final superstition occurs when a team is losing in the late innings and needs a rally. While the losing team is hitting, the players in the dugout will often do something with their hats, in an attempt to spark a rally. Some players will turn their hat sideways, backwards, or even inside out.

These are just of few of the main or most recognizable superstitions in baseball. It would be impossible to name every superstition every player has because each player has his own unique superstitions. So the next time you are at a baseball game and a player appears to be something strange, he might still look weird, but he is doing it for a certain reason.