Opening Day National Holiday Petition

[SuddenRedScare]

Figured this was a bit off-topic, but feel free to move it.

 

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/declare-major-league-baseball-opening-day-national-holiday/3XNmgfBb

 

MLB Opening Day is more than just the beginning of the season. It’s a symbol of rebirth. The coming of spring. The return of America's national pastime. It’s a state of mind where anything is possible. You can feel the electricity in the air. Opening Day brings with it the promise of a new beginning. Every fan is in good spirits. It’s a day of celebration. It’s a day of hope. It’s a day that, for generations, has been looked forward to by baseball fans every off-season. It’s an American tradition, and it deserves to be recognized as an American holiday. Join us in our quest to make sure every American can exercise their inalienable right to celebrate the day those two magical words are uttered for the first time: “PLAY BALL!"

[DocLuna7]

I read about this this morning in the MJS. It mentioned that Ozzie Smith is heading the effort. Even though those of us in Milwaukee already celebrate like it is a national holiday, I am all about making it official.

[RobDeer 45]

I pretty much always take the day off and throw some brats on the grill and watch baseball all day. It's a great day, that's for sure.

[jerichoholicninja]

Because of my inconsistent employment history, 2012 is the only year I've ever had to work on Brewers Opening Day. My current work schedule has me off on Monday's and Tuesday's, so the streak will continue.

[Invader3K]

I think it's a silly idea, but I'm going to go ahead and sign the petition anyway.

[brwrsfan]

It's completely silly and ridiculous and has about a .001% chance of ever happening. Didn't stop me from signing it though of course

 

I take that day off every year anyways.

[bjkrautk]

What if your team starts the day before / after the holiday?

[MJLiverock]

I'd say the day after the Super Bowl has a better shot, more popular and one day vs. differing opening days around baseball and home vs. away opening day.

[Invader3K]

I'd say the day after the Super Bowl has a better shot, more popular and one day vs. differing opening days around baseball and home vs. away opening day.

 

What's really the point of making a Sunday a national holiday though? Most people are already off work, including the vast majority of federal and state employees.

[jerichoholicninja]

I'd say the day after the Super Bowl has a better shot, more popular and one day vs. differing opening days around baseball and home vs. away opening day.

 

What's really the point of making a Sunday a national holiday though? Most people are already off work, including the vast majority of federal and state employees.

 

Monday.

 

The Super Bowl should be played on a Saturday anyway.

[Invader3K]

 

The Super Bowl should be played on a Saturday anyway.

 

I agree, but the NFL isn't exactly about listening to the fans.

[Invader3K]

Here is the White House's official response to the petition:

 

Honoring Our National Pastime

 

By Josh Earnest, Principal Deputy Press Secretary and a lifelong Kansas City Royals fan

 

"Thanks for your petition and your participation in We the People.

 

For more than a century, American presidents have celebrated Opening Day -- from President William Taft's 1910 first pitch from the stands, to President Obama toeing the rubber at Nationals Park in 2010.

 

Opening Day signals a new beginning, not only for the 30 Major League Baseball teams playing for their shot at a title, but for the millions of fans who will follow the 162-game journey -- from "Play ball!" through the last out. That includes President Obama, who will be rooting for his White Sox to go all the way.

 

While we are sympathetic to your pitch to make Opening Day a national holiday, it's a little outside our strike zone: creating permanent federal holidays is traditionally the purview of Congress. So, it's up to the men and women on Capitol Hill to decide whether to swing at this pitch.

 

To celebrate Opening Day, we'll be honoring the 2013 World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox, here at the White House on Tuesday.

 

Meanwhile, I'll spend that day visualizing what it would be like to welcome my 2014 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals to the White House. That is, after all, the best part of Opening Day: every team is tied for first place and poised to make a run at the Fall Classic."

[BrewCrewForever]

I pretty much always take the day off and throw some brats on the grill and watch baseball all day. It's a great day, that's for sure.

 

This is my routine as well. Some years I actually go to the game, but lately I just get together with friends and watch the game, drink beer and cook out.