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Football Has Replaced Baseball as America’s Pastime

In a recent interview, a short and sassy (yet completely adorable) baseball writer was a guest on a radio show, a question was asked: “Do you believe baseball is no longer America’s favorite pastime?” A pause quickly followed. “One hell of a question,” I thought. 

I was born and raised around a baseball field, so my answer may be biased, but it may surprise you as well. I will reveal what I said to the football-obsessed radio station based out of New York later.

For now, let’s look at look at some evidence to support these claims.

Social Media

This part was interesting. We are all addicted to social media, this girl included. We adore Twitter and Instagram because we find out information faster than a Craig Kimbrel fastball, and we love it. So when you compare the numbers to people who are following these different sports, it’s quite impressive.

Instagram: The number of followers goes into the millions when talking about the sports on the gridiron and the court. Baseball’s numbers should not be ashamed, but it shows what the people are interested in. And here’s a fun fact: according to Jenn’s Trends, 37 percent of Instagram users are 18-29 year-olds, and 68 percent of Instagram users are females. Bieber Fever and One Direction tweens are out there, but there are also young females interested in sports, and it seems to me, those main interests are in football and basketball.

picstitch (2)

The Twitter numbers are not too different:

picstitch (3)

Which plays into popularity. Don’t start passing notes in Study Hall quite yet.

Chris Biderman, who is the editor-in-chief and lead publisher of the Niners Digest, had this to say…

To me, “pastime” and “most popular sport” are different things. Football being America’s favorite sport doesn’t mean baseball isn’t America’s pastime. When I think of baseball described as a pastime, I think how it gets us through what would be a boring summer that typically doesn’t have much else going on in the sports world.”

I asked Biderman if both baseball and football were played simultaneously, if it were possible the numbers could show football would be the favorite?

Yeah I think so, even during the fall the World Series doesn’t make the TV By The Numbers list.

Follow Biderman on Twitter @ChrisBiderman

courtesy idevicewallpapers.com

courtesy idevicewallpapers.com

John Middlekauff, a former NFL scout and co-host of the Haberman and Middlekauff on 95.7 the Game, had this to say…

TV numbers aren’t close, just overall popularity. Baseball is regional, it’s not a national brand as much. The Giants do a huge number in the Bay Area, but the A’s do the same as the San Jose Sharks in Northern California, nobody watches.

This does make sense. Football is only once a week, which is less all-around maintenance. When it comes to baseball, if you miss one game, there is a whole series that you can still participate in. And like Middlekauff mentioned, there is a bit more geographic diversity when it comes to football comparing that to basketball and baseball.

Follow Middlekauff on Twitter: @JohnMiddlekauff

courtesy FTW USA Today

courtesy FTW USA Today

Historically, America’s favorite pastime will always be that. The past.

Gabriel Harber of @FntsySportsLive said this…

I think baseball is number three for sure now. The sport relies too much on it’s “old-fashioned” heritage without adapting to compel the modern consumer in my opinion. The NFL and NBA know what our generation is interested in. Historical purity and preservation is great for dying ideal, not so much for a consumerist society.

Follow Harber on Twitter: @CrazyGabey

In today’s world, football rules.

I’m obsessed with the baseball diamond, but I made sure to tell that radio station that in today’s world, it’s all about the pigskin, not the red laces.

Photo: courtesy Zedge.net

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