Derek Jeter probably touches home plate more often than anyone … and I’m not talking about baseball.

The parallels between America’s pastime and the college-dating scene extend further than any Barry Bonds home run or the Boston Red Sox curse.

Legendary phrases like “Dude, I’m gonna score tonight” or “Man, I just got thrown out trying to steal home” have paved the way, but if you look deeper into the pastime, there is far more to this game than bases and scoring.

Taking the sexual-based baseball analogies a step further, I hope to breakdown the various comparisons between baseball and college dating.

To begin with, we all need to understand what kind of players we are and not try to do too much.

Few of us are blasting home runs in every at bat like Bonds. Most of us take to the game more like Tony Gwynn and try to master the art of the single. Others play the game like David Justice — never putting up massive home run numbers, never hitting for a high batting average, but always seeming to come up huge in the clutch.

But regardless of our individual slugging percentages, we are all playing the game in search of that elusive championship.

Winning a World Series is different to everyone. It could mean having a fling with the one you’ve dreamed of — the one-year wonder — or landing one of those wonderful long-term relationships — a dynasty.

Either way, it’s important to always keep a strong list of prospects on hand. This is not fantasy baseball. Be realistic in this game and understand how difficult it is to fill an entire roster with stars.

Rookies are the foundation of baseball. Remember that even the best of players were once rookies.

A rookie prospect is someone you have just met and are in the process of scouting. Some may end up being flops or are only interested in playing for another team, but be optimistic.

The blue chips are always exciting unknowns within the game and it’s important not to overlook the possible diamonds in the rough.

But don’t ignore the crafty veterans — the ones you’ve been in contact with for a while and have always seemed to show a flicker of interest. They’re always handy to bring off the bench.

Free agents become available following a breakup. You can find some amazing stars on this list but you’re going to have to act quickly. Free agents can be swooped up swiftly and are often quite pricey. Most are afraid to sign another long-term contract, but at times you can find some real steals.

Don’t get discouraged if you’re not a big market team. Small market teams can sometimes pull off an upset and score big time (i.e. Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thorton).

Of course, if you want to prove that you are a legitimate contender you’re going to have to prove consistency by getting that phone number and setting up a chance at the repeat.

Like baseball, it’s important to have good coaches and scouts. This is especially true when inebriated on a night out and it becomes less clear who the prominent prospects really are.

It’s a team game. You must never forget that a team mentality got you here. Whether it be your designated driver or your wingman, it’s important to have good players around you in the lineup. You want the kind of hitter that is willing to lay down the sacrifice bunt (the player’s friend) at any time.

It’s important to be deliberate. Don’t overload any player with too many signs and be sure to avoid playing games within the game.

Do right by the sport and the sport will do right by you.

And remember that even after a dynasty ends a well thought out rebuilding process (or a ton of money) could put your team back on the playing field in no time.

In this sport, the only hall-of-fame is in the minds of your buddies that remember how you played the game.

Agree, disagree or want to discuss Don King promoting a pay-per-view bout between Zimmer and Martinez? Email [email protected].