Play Ball!

When we first took the kids to the ballpark last year, they were excited. The whole idea of a game was new, and they didn't know what to expect. Who doesn't love cheering for the local team (we root for the Keene Swamp Bats), and besides, it's baseball! It was long, and buggy, and they were tired and eager to leave. I was a little disappointed, but we went again a few more times. For $3 a ticket, you can't really go wrong. When we went to the last game of the regular season, the kids were a bit more into it than the first game, but not so much.


Opening day this year was Saturday. The game got rained out, and the game scheduled for tonight because the season opener. We already had planned on going, and had tickets. Can't beat free. We got there early, to get seats. The kids are insistent upon catching a foul ball.. and so we sit in the bleachers next to the visiting teams dugout. Which really is OK by me, you get a great view of the team and the game.

I can do without the teenagers, that only go to the game to "hang out". And besides, the ballpark is part of their HS, and they get in for free. They all hang out on either the track, behind the bleachers, or right under. The game tonight started out fabulous. Then, in true June '06 fashion, it started to rain. Just a light drizzle at first.. then a steadier drizzle. Then it let up just as we were getting.. wet. We saw a gorgeous rainbow, and a beautiful sunset. And then the rain got a bit heavier. And heavier.. and finally it was enough to drive us out of the park at the bottom of the 5th inning. The website shows the same score that was up when we left, so I don't know if they finished, or called it.. but either way it was the bottom of the 5th and that is an official game.

I was a bit bummed that it worked out that way.. but it's OK. Our team plays during June and July, as in early August the guys have to head back to college's around the country. There will be plenty of other games. Plenty of other opportunity's to cheer on our local team. Plenty of other buggy nights at the ballpark. Play Ball!