LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Fever Pitch, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Obsession vs. Fandom
Sports, Identity, and Community
Escapism
Sports and Masculinity
Summary
Analysis
Nick apologizes a lot for his football obsession because he sacrifices a lot of time and money, and even relationships, to watch football. But he reaffirms that football is a rewarding and worthwhile hobby. When he attends a great game, he feels that he is “exactly in the right place at the right time.” There are many times in life when a person feels they are missing out, but in the crowd at an exciting football game, Nick always feels that he is “at the heart of things.”
The sensation Nick describes here is akin to feeling like he is a part of something greater than himself, which is perhaps the most positive aspect of football culture. Now that Nick has matured greatly, it seems like football finally plays a more positive role in his life.