First Pitch: A Knuckler

So, here I am writing a blog. Yes, a blog. Like no one's ever done that before... The question now is: why? Why, for example, am I writing a blog on a topic about which so many have written? Why do I feel as though I have something to add to this grand conversation?

Well, frankly, I don't think that I do.

Wait! Don't click away just yet! This post is merely the first pitch of the outing. More precisely, I should admit that I don't think I have anything to contribute yet. Yet being the key word here, I offer up "Writing for the Fences" as a document of my journey to understand the game of baseball more fully, as well as an invitation to join me for fun, curiosity, and criticism. At times, I'll be writing as a student of America's pastime, but at others, I won't be able to contain my biases and interests as a Mets fan. If possible, I'll be seeking to balance these somewhat competing elements of my background.

As the 2017 baseball season begins in a week from today -- 1pm on 4/2 -- I'll be posting my first weekly feature to coincide with opening day. Aside from the weekly feature, there will be daily posts in a variety of forms: Mets-focused updates and rants, "Liner (Drive) Notes" in which I review and discuss baseball in media (movies, music, etc.), "Off the Shelf" posts that focus on baseball in literature (both fiction and nonfiction), personal reminiscences, and more. If you find what I'm doing here interesting, you should also check out @Writ4TheFences on Twitter for another range of coverage.

So, for now, my pitch of choice is the knuckleball. It's no trick-pitch -- it takes a meandering and seemingly unsteady path, yet it requires a commitment to craft in order to tame it. Some days it's wonderfully clever and engaging, while on others, it's somewhat off and moreso hit than miss (not in a good way!). For now, that will be my path as well. I hope you'll join me...