Minor League Fun
While settling down in the stands to watch a baseball game on Saturday night, the
wife leaned over to me and said “this just seems more family oriented.”
The Bowie Baysox, the
Orioles double
A affiliate, were on the field and we were just beginning to take in the sights
and sounds of minor league baseball.
You know what? She’s right. Families of all types and sizes surrounded us.
There were kids enjoying a trip
around the merry-go-round just off of right field; other kids played catch
to both our left and right. The smell of hot dogs
was in the air, a good crowd watched from the stands, and the guy in front of
us was just itching to talk baseball with anyone who would listen. As I took all
of this in, I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Why doesn’t major league baseball
feel this way?”
It almost got me down. When I think of major league baseball lately, I think
of handing over my wallet to get in and all the labor
problems that are going on right now. It seems that all the success that
major league baseball has enjoyed has lead to one thing: a whole bunch of
rich, spoiled men fighting over how to split all the cash. A lot of the
arguments
between owners and players make it seem much more like a business
than the average fan wants to admit. We know it’s a business, we really
do. But when there are two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the ninth with the tying
run on second, we want to think that the batter wants to win in his heart and that
money is far from his mind. Unfortunately, I’m not so sure.
In any case, for $8 a piece, the wife and I saw one hell of a ballgame. Good to
average play all the way around, ending with a four run comeback in the bottom
of the ninth to win the game. Top it off with a fireworks display,
and we have a winner. I can see me coming back this season. I can see the wife
and I bringing our children here in the future. We won’t have to break the
bank either. A family of four could get in for $16, provided the kids are
under five (in which case, they would be free). Maybe we’ll even put them
on the merry-go-round. Try doing that at
Camden Yards.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a blast watching the Orioles play this year.
But while players and owners alike fight over the piles of scraps, it was nice
to ignore it all. For one night, at least, it seemed a bit more pure, a bit more
enjoyable, and, yes, a bit more family oriented.
Jenn
July 28th, 2002 at 5:07 pm #
That was probablly one of my favorites. You’re starting to sound like a daddy already. Your thoughts and feelings in this blog are one of the reasons I love you so much!!
Laura
July 28th, 2002 at 5:08 pm #
It definitely is more family oriented. A guy at my office was telling me the story of taking his boys (4 and 2 years old) to their first major league game. They only stayed an hour because the kids didn’t understand why there was no merry-go-round or fireworks at Camden Yards!
Mom
July 28th, 2002 at 8:02 pm #
Ken, the insightfull way you are seeing things make we very very proud. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading. The one about the baby’s heartbeat kinda did me in, weepy wise. Love you, Mom