Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

I remember as a child sitting on the couch with my dad watching baseball.  My dad was a devout Phillies fan.  One year we had made the pilgrimage to Cooperstown, NY to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  I was in elementary school and let me tell you I was bored to tears.  We would also eat hot dogs and ice cream in the little plastic helmets at Reading Phillies games under the blazing sun.

This is the 2008 World Series trophy that traveled around last year for fans to view.  If you can't tell, I was frozen.  All I remember from that night was that it was very, very cold (hence my three layers of clothing) and the unbelievable line of people to have their picture taken with the trophy.

My husband who is not a sports fan bought season tickets to see the minor league team that now resides close by. And now for the third year in a row, we will sit and enjoy the games with friends.  We will sit in the same seats that we have occupied since the team's inaugural game in the new stadium. Tonight marks the night of the start of the season with the team's first home game.

The boys will ogle the players girlfriends or groupies, people will dress up in their outrageous outfits, drunks will heckle, and we will gorge ourselves on rare occasions on hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and maybe a beer or two.  We will chat with friends that we have made with other ticket holders around us, sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning, and we will once again question repeatedly why they don't sell Cracker Jacks at the stadium.

I have to say it was pretty boring last year compared to the previous year when their outfielder threw a temper tantrum, cursed the umpire, and then went into the dugout and threw a bat onto the field. He was ejected of course.  Needless to say he had a wee bit of a temper.  His outburst was the highlight of the game.  There was also the night they went through almost all of their pitchers and the first basemen was sent in to pitch and struck out two or three players in a row.  We still joke that he probably has the best pitching average in the league. Sad, but true.

Of course there was the flying bat incident last year.  Beware of flying balls and bats reads the signs.That would be good to remember. That is also why when we take the girls this year, we will be sitting on the lawn on a blanket far from flying projectiles (except of course for the occasional t-shirt or koozie).

Hopefully, there will also be no need to remind any overzealous fans whose mouth gets away from them that it is afterall just a game (and that there are little kids present).  If you have a blue mouth (yes, that means you, Mr. Yankee Man), watch out for flying balls, bats, and mad mamas.

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15 comments:

Daisygirl said...

I am not a huge baseball fan but there is something about going to a game that just brings back that good ol family feel!
I would so be scared of the flying bats and balls!

Brandie said...

Funny! Baseball season is fun. I love going to the ball park even if the game isn't that great it is still entertaining!

Joy@TPMG said...

It certainly is entertaining watching the people in the stands! There is something comforting about America's great American pastime. Maybe it is just the fact that it is so family-oriented and it has been popular for so long.

Lourie said...

When we lived in VA, hubs was in a Barbershop Quartet and they often came and sang the anthem at the minor league games. The perks, free tickets for them and us. We always had lots of fun. I have always preferred going to a game than watching it on TV.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for dropping by and saying such nice things! I was going to comment yesterday about the forever house...maybe I did? I can't remember, anyhow, I was on your profile for the first time and I noticed your favorite book!!
OMgosh!! I saw that book twice today at Goodwill...

The last time I read it? I was pregnant (yes, that same time as the photo I posted) and I bawled and bawled and wrote a letter to James Patterson about how much the story moved me! I never sent the letter though, emotional pregnant woman? Perhaps... :o

Suzanne's Blog-Mommy Moves Again

Anonymous said...

Go, Phillies!!! You must have fond memories...and are creating new ones now with your family. Love what you're doing! Sounds like you're lovin it, too!

Joy@TPMG said...

I just realized today that I was pregnant at the time with our second daughter!

Anonymous said...

That sounds fun. We have a minor league team here too and this year we are going to go because their games are a hoot!

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

That sounds like fun even for non-baseball fan like me....and why don't they sell Cracker Jack?

Confessions From A Work-At-Home Mom said...

I actually got to cover the home opener/stadium grand opening for our local Single-A affiliate this week, and it was sooooo cool! I agree, though; baseball is more exciting when there are brawls!

~Elizabeth

Dorkys Ramos said...

Ooh I really hope to make it down to a Phillies game this season. My ex boyfriend got me into them three years ago and since we broke up a couple years ago I've kept cheering for them. I've seen them several times when they came to town to play the Mets, but I really want to return to Philly!

Just Trying To Save Money said...

Happy Friday Follow!!

www.justtryingtosavemoney.blogspot.com

Tiffanee said...

Following back from Friday follow! I must admit I am a little jealous! I LOVE baseball season. Only the last two years have I lived close enough to go to a few professional games. The whole experience (minus a few mouthy fans) is incredible. My brother is a huge Phillies fan. Enjoy!
Have a great weekend!!

Buckeroomama said...

I watch the NBA and can even understand American football, but I still can't get my head around baseball. Sounds like a fun family outing, though. :)

Anonymous said...

We went there as kids, not by choice. I would appreciate it alot more now.

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