The World Series opens tonight in St. Louis, with the Cardinals playing host to the Texas Rangers. So if you're a hockey fan who's thinking about checking out some of the World Series action, Sean McIndoe provides a handy guide to some of the subtle differences between the two sports to help you follow the action. Pictured is Joe Carter after hitting the winning homer in the 1993 World Series.

PHOTO CREDIT - DownGoesBrown.com

Ottawa - Oct. 19, 2011 - The World Series opens tonight in St. Louis, with the Cardinals playing host to the Texas Rangers. And while some hockey fans wouldn't dream of switching over to a baseball game after waiting all summer for the NHL season to start, many will no doubt be tempted to tune in knowing that a championship is on the line.

So if you're a hockey fan who's thinking about checking out some of the World Series action, here's a handy guide to some of the subtle differences between the two sports to help you follow the action.

World Series: By late October, 28 teams have already been eliminated from championship contention.
NHL: By late October, no teams have been eliminated from championship contention with the exception of Winnipeg.

World Series: If you see the defence standing around helplessly while a player circles the bases before scoring, you'll know that batter has hit a home run.
NHL: If you see the defence standing around helplessly while a player circles the rink before scoring, you'll know that Phil Kessel has decided to try this year.

World Series: It took the sport a generation to recover from the cancellation of the 1994 World Series due to a player's strike led by hardline union head Donald Fehr.
NHL: I'm sure whoever's heading up the NHLPA these days would never do something like that.

World Series: For the second straight year, the Texas Rangers have won their first two playoff rounds under the leadership of popular manager Ron Washington.
NHL: Nobody with "Washington" on their jersey ever wins two playoff rounds in the same season.

World Series: Outdoor games are sometimes cancelled due to rain.
NHL: Outdoor games are played even if it's raining, because come on, it's not like anybody is going to get hurt out there.

World Series: Commissioner Bud Selig has been accused of having a conflict of interest in the games, since his family holds an ownership stake in the Milwaukee Brewers.
NHL: Commissioner Gary Bettman has never been accused of having any interest at all in the games.

World Series: "Blocking the plate" can get you seriously injured if you are a catcher and there is a close play at home.
NHL: "Blocking the plate" can get you seriously injured if you are dining with Dustin Byfuglien.

World Series: Both hands with palms down waved across the front of the body is the signal that a runner has been called safe by the umpire.
NHL: Both hands with palms down waved across the front of the body is the signal that's it was a bad idea to try to fight Arron Asham.

World Series: A player who manages four different types of hits in the same game is said to have "hit for the cycle".
NHL: A player who manages four different hits in the same game is said to have "been scheduled for a hearing with Brendan Shanahan".

World Series: The Rangers have a legitimate chance to win the championship!
NHL: Not so much.

World Series: They call it the "foul pole" even though if the ball hits it then it's not actually foul, and this is really fascinating according to every single baseball fan ever.
NHL: They call it the "goal post" even though if the puck hits it then it's not actually a goal, and nobody cares because we have other things to talk about.

World Series: You can tell who gets to host game seven of the final series by checking which league won that season's all-star game.
NHL: You can tell who gets to host game seven of the final series by checking which city's local businesses are hurriedly boarding up all their windows.

World Series: "Defensive indifference" refers to a play in which a runner is not credited with a stolen base because the defense did not make an effort to throw him out.
NHL: "Defensive indifference" will be the title of this season's Sergei Gonchar highlight DVD.

World Series: Fans look forward to a mid-game tradition called "the seventh-inning stretch", in which everyone stands around and listens to a song from 1908.
NHL: Fans look forward to a mid-game tradition called "Coach's Corner", in which everyone stands around and listens to opinions from 1908.