Hi! I'm new here...

[Ranger Joe]

I just joined last Friday. I stumbled upon the website by accident while doing a search for something else. I'm glad to find a site where intelligent, rational people are discussing baseball in an intelligent rational way. I was a member of another site where there was nothing but arguing and name calling and general nastiness, so this appears to be a nice change of pace.

To introduce myself, I played small college ball (actually, that's not quite accurate--I suited up for small college ball. I can't say I played much), and now I play pick up ball, coach little league, and have spent the last few seasons trying to teach my wife how to keep score. I also have another project in trying to teach my 4-year-old son not to hit cross-handed. I am a big fan of the Texas Rangers (one of just a few known to exist outside the state of Texas), but more than anything I'm a fan of well-played baseball. I'm looking forward to talking baseball with you all and I hope I'll be able to contribute to some lively discussions (as long as my boss doesn't catch me). I'm sure I'll learn a lot from you guys too.

[Sberl]

I'm also a newbie here! I like baseball even if I'm not american (I'm Italian) and when I can I watch games on mlb.tv. I'm a big Cardinals fan, but I never played baseball, I would like to do it, but here in Italy there aren't many chances.
I hope to learn a lot about history and many other things from you guys!

[Jake Patterson]

From Coach

Welcome to both of you!

Sberl check out the site http://www.baseballitalia.com/ Baseball is very popular in Italy. Start with this site. From there you may be able to find something close to home. Where in Italy do you live?

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I'm also a newbie here! I like baseball even if I'm not american (I'm Italian) and when I can I watch games on mlb.tv. I'm a big Cardinals fan, but I never played baseball, I would like to do it, but here in Italy there aren't many chances.
I hope to learn a lot about history and many other things from you guys!

Hi and welcome to both of you.

It is nice to have another European on the board, Sberl. What does your nickname stand for?

I can't imagine that there isn't a team near you. Just try to play the game, you'll get addicted like I am. My life is about baseball. It is the thing that keeps me going.

[Sberl]

My nickname...six years ago, when I had my first internet connection, I pushed five letters without watching and here's Sberl. Strange, but I love this nickname!

I live in north Italy, 100km from Milan, near Garda Lake. In my town there's a baseball team, but my free time is near zero and so I can't play. But I love this sport, thanks Jake Patterson for the link, I added it to my favourites!

[wogdoggy]

And most of all congratulations on picking the BEST team in Major League Baseball.Fan since 1958.GO CARDS!

[Ursa Major]

Hi, guys, and welcome to a celebration of the greatest sport on the planet. For our European fans, I'll add -- "with the possible exception of football/futbol/soccer."

I'm glad to find a site where intelligent, rational people are discussing baseball in an intelligent rational way. I was a member of another site where there was nothing but arguing and name calling and general nastiness, so this appears to be a nice change of pace.

I'm curious as to where that was: Eteamz? Setpro? Republican National Committee website?

It's generally pretty civil here unless you get caught up in some of the hitting and pitching threads, and even there it's "rational", but heated. Oh, and some of the Hall of Fame discussions can be heated, but everyone moves on. Some good folks here, to be sure.

[Jake Patterson]

I live in north Italy, 100km from Milan, near Garda Lake.

The best food I ever had was in Bolgna just south of you. Outstanding pasta. Very difficult to get it as good here in the States.

[Sberl]

[QUOTE=Jake Patterson]

I live in north Italy, 100km from Milan, near Garda Lake. QUOTE]

The best food I ever had was in Bolgna just south of you. Outstanding pasta. Very difficult to get it as good here in the States.

Very good, they have a wonderful "sugo" (in english a similar term is sauce) and make one of the best italian food, "Lasagne". I'm proud of italian food

Wogdoggy --> I watch baseball since 2002 (Told you, I'm a newbie ) and I choosed the Cardinals because of St. Louis Rams (same city) and also because of Pujols, Rolen ed Edmonds, outstanding players! Now I'm a great fan, I will post often in Cards forum!

[Ranger Joe]

Ursa Major--ha ha! Not the Republican National Committee website! It was on MLB.com's fan forum. Lots of anger and hostility. I've noticed a few discussions here on BF that got a little heated as you said, but for the most part everyone keeps it pretty civil, and everybody seems very knowledgable.

By the way, Sberl, I have an Olympic baseball autographed by the 1996 Italian Olympic team. Prior to the Olympics that year they played an exhibition game against my local minor league team (and won, by they way), and I got the team to sign a ball for me. I can't read any of the signatures, but it's still something I'm proud to own!