Man travels US attending baseball game every day

Man travels US attending baseball game every day

(John Reimer)


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SALT LAKE CITY — A Wisconsin man known as the “Baseball Buddha” has traveled across the United States and attended a baseball game every day since Feb. 14.

John Reimer decided to begin his project after his father had a triple bypass surgery in August. Reimer said he was talking to his father in the hospital and his father asked him, “What would you do if you could do anything right now?” The question prompted Reimer to quit his job and pursue his dream of “seeing the United States.”

“It’s one of those things where in life, you talk and plan and think about doing certain things and a lot of times, nobody really acts,” he said. “I wanted to live life on my terms and not how society sort of dictates to you. I’ve always admired those people sort of on the fringe.”

During his travels, Reimer said he has slept in his car most of the time and blogs each day about his experiences. He said he has tried to attend at least one baseball game a day in all Lower 48 states. He’s gone from the the All-Star Games in Minneapolis to the College World Series in Omaha and he said he’s currently headed to North Carolina for the American Legion World Series.

He said he hopes to write a book about the baseball fan experiences in each different region.

“I like to write about what I see in the stands,” Reimer said. “It’s all about the fan experience. Baseball is exploding, even though maybe, MLB attendance is off. Baseball is being played everywhere, everyday, year-round. It is our national past time for a reason. What I’ve really taken away from this is the history of the game and how that is part of America’s history.”

John's brother Chad (left) and him (right) at the MLB All Star game. (Photo: John Reimer)
John's brother Chad (left) and him (right) at the MLB All Star game. (Photo: John Reimer)

Reimer said he grew up playing baseball in Ashland, Wisconsin and that he is really passionate about the game. However, he said he is not a “super fan.”

“I love the game of baseball and I love the atmosphere of baseball, but I’m not going to go to a game for 10 straight years and not miss a game. I just like the energy and I wanted to see our country and decide for myself what it was.”

Reimer was able to attend a Bees game while driving through Utah, but he said the best fan experience was at Mississippi State University because the people "were some of the most welcoming."

While Reimer has no job or apartment to return home to, he said the experience of traveling across the country and experiencing the culture of baseball in different states has been amazing. He encouraged people to follow their passion.

“There’s a lot of unhappy, comfortable people in the world,” he said. “But if you want true happiness, you really have to put that fear behind you and take that step into the unknown and just embrace what life is throwing at you. And you will be okay if your faith is right. For me, everything just aligned.”

Reimer said his project will end with the last game of the World Series in November.

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