There are two main types of sports fans in this world - the knowledgeable fan with a jersey or two from his favorite team and the fanatic who thinks Majestic MLB replica jerseys should be bestowed the same standard as the tux.

Most supporters would fit in the first group. We would own a Boston Red Sox jersey or a Portland Trailblazers uniform, maybe attend a New England Patriots game or two, and we most likely keep abreast with the latest scores and rumors of latest transactions in the leagues. Some of us may even be part of a fantasy mock draft group.

But this is sufficient for some. There are quite a number of fans who are so engrossed in their hobby that they have to have every single logo paraphernalia item from their favorite team.

There is nothing wrong with exhibiting support for a team. But there are quite a few who take it even further. Donning MLB uniforms is standard get-ups for these fans.

Many of you who have been to games would have noticed that there would always be at least one ultra fan at the game who would don a team apparel which would be covered with team logo pins, badges and other paraphernalia which could be stuck or attached to a team uniform. Relatively speaking, this fan would be the sports fan version of a King Scout displaying his badges. Admirable one would think.

There was one instance where a Packers fan bought a merchandise which fans do not ordinarily buy - a Green Bay Packers NFL #First-Up#10′x 10′ adjustable canopy. It was rare but useful for parties in the garden. Intriguingly this loyal fan lived alone in an apartment and had no intention of actually using the product. He simply wanted to add to his Green Bay Packers logo collectibles collection.

Ultra sports fans have lived with continuous teasing and judging looks for ages. But passion can definitely make people do unexplainable things. Sports is a type of escapism to many of us. It allows us to move beyond the insanity of the hustle and bustle of the world for a meager few hours every week, and live vicariously through the athletes we look up to and sometimes idolize. When we don that NFL jersey or put on those MLB uniforms, while watching the game at the stadium or live on HDTV, it is just as if we are part of the team.

Passion cannot be quantified. Passion expresses itself in different ways in different people. As mentioned in the examples above, some supporters are passionate about collecting NHL Merchandise. It is merely their way of expressing their support for their sports team. But there are others who express their passion in a less visually common way, by being very knowledgeable about the sport they follow or the team they support. Suffice to say, the second group of fans are mocked less even though they are no less passionate.