Well, it's the same with cricket. If you've played as a boy, and then spent some of our rare sunny days with a bottle or two of wine (the beer at cricket venues is often not good) watching good cricket, then you're addicted to the game. But I could see how the same might apply to baseball, which was quite popular in Hull in the 60s and 70s.

The atmosphere at a cricket match makes all the difference. Sitting with knowledgeable spectators and discussing technique and tactics and re-living old memories is a wonderful way to spend a day. Wilfred Rhodes, one of the finest cricketers ever to draw breath (and a fellow Yorkshireman to boot) used to attend matches at Headingley in his later years, even though he was completely blind! If any poor downtrodden native of an unfortunate nation that does not support the 'Summer Game' visits the broad acres of Yorkshire during the cricket season I will gladly accompany them to a match and attempt to explain the subtleties. But don't expect me to watch Nascar.

It is difficult to see the USA enjoying cricket. A five day match ending in an exciting draw does not fit the US psyche - not enough power there! And the subtleties of slow bowling... Probably Canadians would have taken to the game more if it could be played on ice! Still it's bad enough England getting thrashed by our former colonies without those two getting in on the act!