There are certain moments in one's life where you know your life will never be the same again. For some people it is a new job. For others it is the death of close friend or family member. Many others see their lives changed by a simple act of kindness or a simple event in their life. As for my life? My life was changed forever by MLB 08: The Show.

Yes, MLB 08: The Show. A video game. A form of entertainment, which some people would venture to say, should never have such a huge role in any young man's life.

Baseball was all but dead to me by the time I entered high school. After playing the game non-stop from age 3 to age 16, I became another member of the tragedy of baseball burnout. I was simply sick of the game. I didn't watch it, I didn't pay attention to baseball video games, and I certainly would not even dream of playing it again.

...but I can guarantee you that at very moment I fired up my Playstation 3 for the first time and inserted The Show, my life was forever changed

Then came springtime '08 and MLB 08: The Show. After I heard the hype about the game and how people told me the game was well worth the entry price of buying a PS3 for the game, I knew I had to give this game a try.

What happened next might just be a case of things all aligning at once, or it might have been something else, but I can guarantee you that at very moment I fired up my Playstation 3 for the first time and inserted The Show, my life was forever changed.

As I played game after game of The Show, the game I had once loved was quickly coming back to me. Deciding whether to sacrifice an out for a run in the eighth while down by two, whether to pull my starter now or after this next better, whether I should pinch hit for my hot starting pitcher because he was tired. Baseball was born again.

With The Show and the Rangers working in tandem for me each day, I feel like I am constantly learning something new about the game.

There is no coincidence, at least in my mind, that after playing MLB '08: The Show non-stop through the spring or summer I have watched 80-85 percent of all of the Texas Rangers' ballgames this season -- after only watching a dozen or so the past several seasons.

It is very rare that a game is of such quality that it actually enhances your experiences and appreciation for a game, but that is exactly what MLB 08: The Show has done for me.

This year has been a giant re-education process for me, as I have tried to relearn the ins and outs of baseball, especially at the MLB level. With The Show and the Rangers working in tandem for me each day, I feel like I am constantly learning something new about the game.

In short, MLB 08: The Show has put baseball back in the limelight for me. We are less than a month from college football season and I'm still stuck on baseball. That my friends, is a first for any season.

This is a rare quality for games in this day and age, and I feel this speaks volumes about how a realistic experience can be enjoyed by all if given the opportunity. In an age where developers are consistently bending the rules of reality in order to create a more entertaining experience (NCAA Football 09 anyone?), The Show comes as a breath of fresh air.

This means the leagues are going to have to be more mindful of the quality of the product that is made by companies who possess their licenses.

I believe my story is a testament to how important video game franchises can be to younger generations of potential fans. The new generation of kids is so wired that most of the "next-gen" so to speak, will grow up in a world where all the "next-gen" knew was having the Internet and a gaming console nearby.

This means the leagues are going to have to be more mindful of the quality of the product that is made by companies who possess their licenses. The story of my renewed passion for baseball would not have been possible if a product like the old Triple Play Baseballs was all that was on the shelf.

If sports leagues are going to choose to go the exclusive licenses route, they have to become mindful of the fact that games are not just a way to get a quick cash-in for licenses; they are quickly becoming a huge tool to grow new generations of fans to your sport. In some ways, encouraging better products on the shelves that represent your sport on gaming consoles will be more profitable than exclusive license fees.

So my plea to the NFL, the NCAA, and also to the NBA and NHL is to re-evaluate your policies and listen to this gamer. Baseball was dead to me and thanks to a video game that was of incredibly high quality, I have spent hundreds of dollars on MLB products this year.

My point is, competition brings out the best in everyone -- it is hard-wired into us somehow.

Video games can be used as your greatest marketing tool to fans of all ages, but it's impossible to market a product that isn't up to par, thanks to a lack of competition. Major sports brands should take a lesson from the real sports world, as most sports are made great by the rivalries that surround it.

Red Sox vs. Yankees.

Lakers vs. Celtics.

Steelers vs. Cowboys.

Federer vs. Nadal.

Oklahoma vs. Texas.

The list goes on and on. My point is, competition brings out the best in everyone -- it is hard-wired into us somehow. If the sports leagues want to dish out exclusive licenses they should raise the quality requirements for the games. Don't just take a glancing look at them and approve the games if they don't have fighting or derogative touchdown dances.  Instead, leagues should get actual game critics in to make sure the games are of a high quality all around.  Basically, leagues should make sure the games capture the essence of their sport.

When you think about it, games can create new fans if they are of a high enough quality. They could even go so far as to bring back old fans back to your sport. MLB 08: Show certainly did just that for me.

Now all we need is for the major sports brands to catch on to this movement.