Dear Bill James,

In the past few years, multiple politicians and sportscasters have belittled our nation's marching band programs, and every year the band community fights back. If you don't remember how you attacked America's favorite halftime filler, here's a refresher:

Let me answer your question: no. The world does NOT need marching bands. But let me give you a few reasons why marching band is an incredible thing to experience. I have also included some responses to your tweet by fellow band members.

1. The inclusion aspect of a band program is fantastic.

Band gave me my people. In college, I was so nervous to basically start over. I attend a school 600 miles away from home. Though, I'm a relatively friendly person. I make friends fairly easily and am blessed to be friends with a large chunk of a 400+ person band program.

However, there are people in band who don't make friends as easily. They may be shy or deep into schoolwork or have a unique hobby. The beautiful thing about an organization as large as a college band is that it's impossible to not make friends.

You may have to search for them, but there is someone in band just like you, I promise. You may even find the love of your life. Here is a response to your tweet confirming that:

2. Marching band prepares students more for what's to come after we complete our education.

First, being punctual to rehearsal is a must. If you're not on your dot at the strike of noon, good luck on saving your grade.

Next, you have to stay organized if you want to keep up with all the items needed to travel to a game far away. To name a few, we need our uniform (hat, bibbers, and jacket), shoes, spats, the correct clothes for under the uniform, ball cap, and I don't even want to get into what it takes to travel with an instrument and music too. If you don't have the correct materials, good luck getting the director to let you march during halftime.

Last but not least, we learn to lead. College marching bands consist of all adults. We are no longer children and we lead from within. We have leaders in all aspects of the program. There are drum majors, section leaders, marching instructors, social media managers, uniform managers, equipment managers, and officers like president, secretary, etc... And to become a leader, you must earn that position, like in a job in the real world.

3. Marching band is an activity formatted like any other organization students can be involved in.

...including football, basketball, cheerleading, equestrian, debate team, and what seems to be your favorite thing to talk about, baseball. All involve time and all involve practice. All involve endurance mentally and physically. All receive recognition in different ways.

Football receives theirs on national television. Marching bands receive theirs on national television as well. We don't get much camera time, but you can't ignore the wall of sound we produce when our team is in the red zone and we're close to scoring. We provide support for the team, entertainment to the crowd, and spirit to the schools we are all so proud to attend.

So Mr. James, all in all, the world does not NEED marching band. But without it, the world would be a quieter, less colorful place. Just try to imagine a sporting event without music. Yes, you can add fun, contemporary music over the loudspeakers to pump up the crowd.

But where's the school spirit?

Where's the tradition?

That's where the band comes in.

My advice to you Mr. James, stick to tweeting about baseball.