Evey once in a while I either find out about things or participate in things that make me appreciate Arizona a little more than I already do. One of those things is Spring Training. Though I knew Spring Training was a big deal here, I never went to a game. In fact, I wouldn't have gone this year except for the persuasion of my father. Last Wednesday he came down from Bullhead City and spent the next two days with me. After I got off a school Thursday we got in the car and after an exciting forty-five minute drive, we made it to Goodyear Stadium.
The thing about me is that sometimes I forget how much I like something until I am around it again. Baseball is one of those things. I love it. I love the fields, and how they cut the grass. I love walking through the crowds to your seat, and the little boys carrying their baseball gloves that are there with their dads. I love getting up in between innings to wait in line for overpriced concessions (and hot dogs with barbecue sauce and a slice of bacon on them at this particular stadium). I love singing "take me out to the ball game" during the 7th inning stretch. I love listening to the old guys behind you talk about how a certain player isn't pulling his weight and what they would do better if they were coach. I love talking about how you want a foul ball and how the guy by third base got two in a row. I love how Larry the usher let us sit in the closest seats to the dugout.
I could go off about the game, and how much I love that. But the game is such a small part of the experience. There is a reason why they call it America's pastime.
I love that I got to go to that game with my dad, and that a love for baseball will be something that we will always share.
3 comments:
This post has a very special place in my heart. Good writing! Great pastime!
Oh... GOOOOOO SSSSSOOOOOXXX!!
I don't even like the nine innings all that much, but I think I once fell in love playing catch. You summed up the good things exactly.
And this confirms you are my SON!!! I love this game so much. Coaching, playing, watching, thinking about it, it just doesn't matter, I love it. I am so glad that you understand it really isn't just about the game being played, it is definately about the experience. I have tried to explain to others (mostly your mother) that trying to out guess the managers next move, whether the grounds keeper did an adequate job preparing the field, having that great hotdog and Pepsi, listening to the guys behind you demonstrate their preceived knowledge of the game or just being in a beautiful ball park IS the reason for the love. Glad you feel the same, it does my heart good and even brought a tear to my eye.
Post a Comment