The tenth edition of the Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines ballplayer as a noun that means a person who plays ball; especially a baseball player. Under this definition everyone who played the game would be a ballplayer, but this is very far from the truth.

What separates the ones who are ballplayers from those who are not? Skill and ability have little to do with it. A player does not have to be successful to be a ballplayer either. Being a ballplayer does not take a high batting average, a low ERA, a World Series Championship, or a multi-million dollar sports contract. A ballplayer's name is not necessarily known outside of the game's inner circle or his team's hometown. So what is a ballplayer?

A ballplayer can be described in many ways. At the least

he is an overachiever who makes the most out of himself by possessing a strong work ethic. He is a hustler who is tough and gives his all every play of the game. A ballplayer has a great feel for the game derived from countless hours of practice and countless innings of play. He possesses great knowledge of the game of baseball. He is a team player and he is a winner. Ballplayers are not usually flashy. They are dependable, they love to play, and they are the types of players coaches want on their team.

Baseball historians often talk about the "Golden Age of Baseball" in the early to mid-twentieth century. To many these were the greatest times the game has ever seen, and it is no coincidence that this was probably "the age of the ballplayer" as well. This was a time when players played everyday for the love of the game. There were no contract disputes and players took pride in their team. Most wore the same uniform their entire careers and were more concerned with the team's record than their salary. A player introduced himself to others as a baseball player, not a professional athlete. Baseball was their life, they loved i

Some topics in this essay:
Age Baseball, Series Championship, Collegiate Dictionary, , World Championship, Pittsburgh Pirate, Jim Leyland, types players, ballplayer ballplayer, baseball game, game ballplayer, baseball player, home run,