This blog began as a way to record my musings about preparations and travels to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada February 16-27, 2010. From that amazing experience came this ongoing story of becoming a sports fan. You can follow my tales of awe, agony, and all the emotions in between as well as view pics from seasons of Phillies baseball. Along the way is a little Eagles football thrown in for fun, and even some astronomy and weather related tales. I feel lucky to have witnessed some historic games, some heartbreaking losses, but all wonderful when told from this new fan's point of view.

Blog Archives postings:
Dec 2009-Feb 2010
Olympics
March 2010-Dec 2011
Baseball and more
2011 The Phillies do again, winning the Eastern Championship for the 5th straight year.
April 2012-Sept 27 2012 Not the best season for the Phillies
2013-We wait and see!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Another cold night with friends

The night starts off in a strange way.

It is 6:30 and I  am waiting for friends to bring the ticket. It's 6:30, 6:40, 6:50. The game begins at 7:05 but  I don't have my cell phone to find out why they are late. I do go around and borrow some phones and find out they are stuck in traffic. I will definitely miss the beginning.

So, that is how I find myself in conversation between my 'purist' self, the one who has to be there for  the start of the game rituals-"Oh say can you see" " the first pitch will be thrown by..."  and the 'pragmatist' self

Let's have a listen:

 pragmatist: What does it matter if you miss the first pitch?
 purist:         But that is the ritual!  My friends are messing up my ritual!
 pragmatist:   Its just a game and there are 9 innings, so you'll still get to see 2 hours of  baseball.
 purist:          It's the whole package I'm here for. I like to wander around, settle in, take in the ball  park. And you never know, I might miss a home run!
pragmatist:   If you are so into the whole experience, then pay attention to what is happening around you now.
purist:        Like what?
pragmatist: Have an alternative plan for getting in if they don't show up. Borrow a cell phone to leave them a  message.  Notice how many people are streaming in after the game has already started .Listen to the sounds around you. Feel the air.

So, as I bring the conversation to a close, a young man  passes by selling 328 section tickets for 10 bucks. Ah-hah,  my alternative plan is to  buy one just in case. Next, I do stop to observe that the lines at the gate are packed with people way after the game has started. Amazing. Being inside for all of the previous games, I had always  wondered why the stands weren't nearly full at the beginning of the game. Now at 7:20 there are so many people, the dense ribbon of red and white Phillies gear is astonishing. It brings a smile to my face. Then  I take the time to enjoy the music booming out from McFaddens restaurant. The singer sounds buoyant and upbeat.

The sky is beautiful, with no rain in sight . It's cold, but tonight I am prepared with winter wear.

So, not to worry.

 Elyse and Kenny, of course, show up. Without missing a step we don't stop talking until we are ready to part ways at the end of the game. There has been more talking than watching, but  what we saw was good. Really good. Some homers, some spectacular diving catches, good pitching. Another win for team Phillie (3-1) and team Tobie.

How joyous is that.

Spring and our hearts turn to baseball

"Fredd-y, Fredd-y, Fredd-y, Fredd-y

A new chant booms out from the 1st base side fan seats and builds throughout the ballpark to welcome, encourage, cajole one of the newest Phillies players, Freddy Galvis. It works. He hits a two run double in the bottom of the third as the Phils turn a 1-0 game into a showstopper of an inning. Another new Phil, Juan Pierre, steals bases like a gizelle, wowing the crowd. Later he catches two balls in left field giving way to a smile that beams even to the 400 level fans, "This is fun. I am so happy to be playing here". Our old friends, Roy Halladay, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz , Hunter Pence continue to beguile.

The game is full of  stealing bases, base hits, doubles, nice outfielding-'small ball' as my educated friends beside me call it. Small enough to produce 7 runs total for the game that also includes home runs and close slides into home plate, enthusiastic high fives from the guys in front and  more from the boisterous women behind us (The young man next to me does more texting than watching).

It is one of two days that are going to dip below 60 degrees, so we are all bundled in winter attire of coats, scarves and gloves. Wish I had worn my warm socks and long underwear. But by the 6th inning we have stood enough times to whoop and holler that  I forget about the wind and the chill.

All along we also watch the posted score for the Flyers -Penguins hockey match up. 2-0, 3-1, and finally 3-3 is how we leave it after the baseball game. In the subway someone starts to cheer when word goes out that the Flyers have won the game 4-3 in overtime. And later it is announced that the 76ers won their basketball game.

A good night for Philadelphia sports fans. On to real spring, warmth sun and more of those new Phillies. We look forward to seeing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley as soon as they are healthy.