- Braves’ Fan, Carson, Eating a Cracker
What’s more fun than a baseball game? Baseball lovers would probably say, nothing, except seeing their favorite team play in person. My dad loved the Yankees, so growing up as a kid in the sixties, I watched them on our one and only black and white television set, learning names like Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford.
Over the years I’ve been to many baseball games, but never a professional one until this past July. The opportunity came as a result of my daughter, Kristin, giving her husband, Brian, a special father’s day present. Knowing he had never seen a major league team in person, she began making plans in May for a trip to Atlanta to see the Braves play the Phillies. Kristin called and asked if her dad and I would like to go too. We jumped at the chance because not only did it mean seeing the Braves, but it also meant creating special memories with our eighteen-month-old grandson, Carson.
Anticipation and excitement grew over the next two months until finally game night. I had my Atlanta Braves’ shirt on and my game face. Walking into the stadium sounds of laughter, people talking and drum rolls could be heard, with smells of hot dogs, pizza, popcorn and peanuts at every turn. There were lots to do, especially for children, such as batting cages, pitching practice, face painting, games for prizes and a museum. I took a million pictures because I didn’t want to forget a thing.
At game time, I was amazed at how small the players looked on the field. I missed an out or two because of watching people in the stands dancing and singing and having fun. It was especially funny to see their reaction when caught on camera and shown on the big screen for everyone to see.
Baseball was and still is America’s favorite pastime because it’s not just the game, it’s the whole experience. By the way, the Braves won the three-game series sweep against the Phillies. It can’t get better than that. Like the song says, “…for it’s 1, 2, 3 strikes you’re out at the old ballgame.”
Dicy, finally got access to your blog! I have had a terrible time because of the required login. Kept telling me my password would not work. So, I just reset it and maybe all will be well from now on. Love your post. It brought back so many wonderful memories of my late sister-in-law. She absolutely loved the Braves. If a game was on and she had to go to the bathroom, the radio was right there with her! I have never known anyone as devoted as she. The sad part is she never did get to see a game live but she always followed them:>) Not sure if you remember my posting on Awakenings. If you missed it, visit American Classics (http://awakenings2012.blogspot.com/2012/05/american-classics.html).
Thank you, Sharla, for leaving a comment. I’m glad you kept trying until you were successful. That’s funny about your sister-in-law listening to the game in the bathroom.
Thanks again,
Dicy
Dicy, it was this post that promted me to revisit American Classics with a posting on catnipoflife. I could not remember where I had read it since I visited so many sites yesterday. I wanted to link back to your posting. Now I can:>)
Pingback: American Classics « catnipoflife