en·thu·si·ast ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-thz-st)
n.
One who is filled with enthusiasm; one who is ardently absorbed in an interest or pursuit; A zealot; a fanatic.


enthusiast

n 1: an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity [syn: partisan, partizan] 2: a person having a strong liking for something [syn: fancier]

some people like to throw this word around alot. I just thought I'd post up the meaning so we are all straight on what it actually means. I don't see anywhere that it says you are not an enthusiast if you don't directly participate in the sport or said activity. Sounds to me like it says...that you really like something a lot. Do you have to play baseball to be a baseball fanatic...or enthusiast as some may call it?