What a great life I have!

Indulging in a bit of revelry

Yes, what a great life I have.

This is the sentiment that wafts through me walking around the  ballpark for perhaps the last time this season. Peter, Isaac, Joe and I attend the last of our 6 ticket series, commenting on the great weather, a combination of a warm almost hot day with no rain in sight. We've arrived early enough to walk right up to the fence to see the whole bullpen doing pitching practice on the field (who knew!).

We settle into our seats to eat our lunches bought at the supermarket on the way to the Fern Rock subway station, talking about our hopes for the game.
We want
 1)  an 8 1/2 inning game so we can go to the pool afterwards
 2) Cole Hamels to win the game
3) Papelbon not to blow any leads

 4) Cody Ashe to show his stuff

 5) a win ( see #1).

And the result: They all come true. Hamels pitches brilliantly, Papelbon doesn't mess it up, Cody Ashe makes some beautiful plays from 3rd and

We win.

Happy New Year!

Peter on the right at a Phillies game

Peter has been my baseball buddy for the past 3 years and a pool buddy for many more than that. He shared this story.......

Peter's Best Rosh Hashanah 

A number of years ago in the early-mid 1990s, I was doing a craft show in Evanston, IL (I am a furniture maker).  It happened that this was the last time the High Holy Days were as early as they are this year.   Erev Rosh Hashanah was prior to Labor Day that year.  In fact, Erev Rosh Hashanah and  the evening service for Rosh Hashanah was the night of the end of the show, Sunday night.   

The friends I was staying with, in Willamette, had obtained a ticket for me to go to services with them.  A few of my friends in the show who were Jewish, and not going home the next morning made me an offer.  It turned out that The Cubs were at home, and playing a day game the next day, and they asked if I wanted to celebrate Rosh Hashanah at Wrigley Field.  My friends said go---how often could I go to a gem at Wrigley? 

Walter, Tobie, and Peter at School Lane House Pool

So, we went.  We got there as early as we could buy tickets, got great seats, second level, right  behind home plate, right below the announcer's booth (During the seventh inning stretch, Harry Carey led the singing of Take me out to the ballgame) and we could hear Harry without his microphone.  They were playing the Pirates, back when they were a good team.*  The wind was blowing out.  There were a bunch of home runs.  The Pirate homers got thrown back onto the field, and the Cubs stole defeat from the jaws of victory.  

Probably my most memorable Rosh Hashanah.

L'shanah Tovah to all. Play Ball! 

* How bout them Pirates in 2013!

Baseball 101 with the Phillies

I have given myself the best birthday present ever!!!!

My friend Gayle and I, along with 150 other Phillies fans, have signed up for this unique event called Baseball 101.

Organized for women and by women of all ages, we look forward to learning about the Phillies organization from the equipment to the food to...


Well, let's take a look.

We arrive around 9:00 to check in and have a breakfast downstairs. The mood is a combination of excitement and sheer amazement at this sold out event. All these women with Phillies spirit, bouyed by the 2 wins of the previous night, but also perplexed, angry, sad about the firing of Charlie Manuel, the manager for the past 9 years. Each of us is on a 'team' for the day.

Gayle and I are on team Carlos Ruiz, "Chooch" the beloved catcher.

The lineup

The Lineup

• Take part in an interactive clinic taught by the Phillies coaches! Includes on-field stations featuring proper baseball techniques and skills
• Access behind the scenes locations such as the Phillies Batting Cages and bullpens
• Get the inside scoop from a broadcaster and Phillies personnel  Larry Andersen, Scott Franzke and Jim Jackson.
• Participate in a Q&A session with a Phillies player and a Phillies executive Carlos Ruiz and Erik Kratz, Ruben Amarro Jr.
• Special appearances by the Phillie Phanatic,  other Phillies guests
• Special pregame festivities including a Phillies Meet & Greet and a Baseball 101 pre-game party hosted by 98.1 WOGL's Valerie Knight and Frank Lewis at the Phillies Tent.
• Exclusive Baseball 101 dinner buffet  relaxing time outdoors under the tent
• Chance to participate in a special on-field pregame check presentation (participants selected by drawing that day)
  PLUS
• Complimentary preferred parking
• All participants receive an exclusive Baseball 101 T-shirt  totally great
• You'll also receive a Phillies gift bag with an autographed souvenir! totally great
• Plus a silent auction and raffle, lunch in the Diamond Club and more!  I won a Cole Hamels autographed baseball and a dance on the dugout with the Phanatic
• A ticket to that night's Phillies game  Not the best game, but they do go on to win the next two in dramatic fashion at the bottom of the 9th and then 8 out of 10.

Mudding the baseballs

I join in the fun to rub mud on the dozens of baseballs to be used in the game tonight.

Our first stop on the tour is the media room.We are already star struck even with no one on the podium, realizing that we have all seen  this room on our TV screens, watching many a sorrowful or exhuberant manager  at that table waiting to be grilled by the press.

We are greeted by the man who manages all the equipment.  I wonder what could be so interesting about cleaning towels  and underwear, caring for player uniforms, hanging out with the DHL driver who will take the umpires' trunks to the next city. Yet, I am surprised how instantly fascinating this is when described by someone who clearly loves the job that he has been doing for over 20 years. He displays a great sense of humor and professionalism,  a common attitude expressed by everyone we meet during the day, from coach to secretary.

Did you know that each baseball is personally rubbed with mud  that comes from a 'secret' place on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River? The mud is cleaned and inspected so that it has the consistency of thick chocolate pudding. Each team buys 2-3 small tubs for the season to mud dozens of baseballs for each game.

The Phillies' equipment manager does this every day, which he keeps claiming is his least favorite job. Of course we all want to help him out!

The next Pitching Phenom

The day is perfectly suited for our next activity: Warming up our pitching in the bullpen. We are treated to the knowledge and encouragement of the Phillies pitching staff, who give us a closeup look at how the ball is held for the different pitches. Then it is our turn, and most everyone finds the courage to throw a few. Our coach is of course, totally delighted with everything we do.

Batting with the best

Gayle hits a home run

Every ballpark has an indoor batting practice area equipped with high tech pitching machines that can be set for pitch, speed, left or right handed batters. Hard to see in the picture, but for practice, the players use a batting tee. Sounds like little league, doesn't it? Actually, it is much more flexible and can be adjusted for height or moved around for the batters to tailor their practice.

Everyone has to help clean up!

Small ball comes alive

 We crowd around Juan Samuel, the 3rd base coach, who delights us from the moment he steps onto the field. His passion for the running game is infectious, and his description of small ball, that elusive strategy for winning base by base, gives me more insight into the nuances of the game.

He regales us with stories of steals gone bad, his system for signalling his Latino players, how he changes communication patterns so the other team stays off guard. He also let's us in on the player he never encourages to run fast during spring training (if you are not a Phillies fan, the answer is Ryan Howard).

We have a chance to run the bases, somewhere between a flock and a herd of women making it to home plate each on our own time.

The catchers!

Get a bunch of women in a room with real live baseball players in uniform, set us loose with cameras, and it's a riot. Chooch, Carlos Ruiz and Erik Kratz were the surprise players of the day. They sat down to answer questions, chat with the M.C and generally wow the crowd with their lack of pretention and their genuine friendliness.   A story I enjoyed hearing was Erik Kratz' description of playing for the Phillies minor league team. He had experience with several AAA teams around the country that did not draw a hometown crowd, so were more for people wanting a social event than a for dedicated fans. The Iron Pigs games were more like 'mini Phillies' games, loud and boisterous. So, when he was brought up to the majors, he was used to the noise of the crowds.

From locker room to food grill

Do you imagine the players locker room with metal lockers and tiled floors and towels strewn all over the floor?

NOT!

Wood cabinetry, carpeting, and they must have told them we were coming, because nothing was out of place. We gawked at the shoes, the big shoes, the gloves, the small things like hand lotion and trailmix. Hard to imagine the room filled with sweat and dirt.

After we passed through the locker room, we talked with the man who runs the grill. He didn't let out too many secrets about the player eating habits. Chase Utley always likes his baked sweet potato.............the muffins contain 15 grams of protein........ he buys locally, fresh food.............the players and staff can come in any time and eat whatever they want.........the players walk in from the locker room in their underwear.........he invites chefs from local restaurants to cook dinners....................

The best present ever! Dancing with the Phanatic

The raffle ticket is drawn and they call out my number. The prize: Dancing on the dugout with the Phillie Phanatic. 

At the end of one web report about the day the author writes:
Tonight there's a huge pregame party. All of these women will be at the game tonight for the game against the Colorado Rockies. A few lucky ones will get to dance on the dug out with The Philly Phanatic. That's worth the whole day right there.
 (http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/23198804/phillies-host-baseball-101 )

How true!

(video of the dance and pic to come)

Gayle enjoys the pregame dinner with the Phanatic

The usual antics

'nuf said!

Peter, Isaac and Josh and I start the day early to enjoy a Sunday afternoon game. The crowd is family friendly, with many little babies on laps, and lots of cheering kids. Two hold up a sign that says
"We Miss U Charlie", a response to the badly handled firing of the longtime manager Charlie Manual.  In fact, The Dodgers, one of the hottest teams in baseball (and how 'bout them Pirates, you Pittsburgh fans) have already embarrassed the Phillies in the first two outtings, so the new manager is 0 for 2.

But today, with the rain holding off,  Cole Hamels pitches a splendid 7 innings, letting in 2 runs. The Philies have tied it with one homerun and another RBI. Now in the bottom of the 9th, after Pabelbon has kept the Dodgers from scoring. (phew!) the question is: Will the Phillies rise to the occasion.? or are we in for extra innings.

Its a miracle really. The Phillies have been having trouble scoring even with 3 men on and 0 outs, so with 1 out we are not even sure they can pull it off
But, hey, leave it to a Sunday in August, a Dodger error and the Phillies  playing a game of 'small ball' well enough to win it with a walk in run.

Much to the delight and cheers of the crowd.
final score  Phillies 3, Dodgers 2, holding the Dodgers winning streak to 10 games.

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=phi

Congrats to Ryan Sanberg on his first major league victory as a manager.

The People Who Make It All Happen

Citizen's Bank Park is always a wonderful place to go to enjoy an evening outdoors. The seats behind home plate where we usually sit look out towards the Philly skyline, which at dusk is a bea-yoo-tee-fool vista.

This is a tribute to the people at the Ball Park who work hard to make the experience always pleasant and as joyful as it can be whether we win or lose. From the bag checkers to the elevator operator, everyone is friendly and willing without hesitation to share a story or two of  a memorable playoff or world series game. And if you are lucky you can hear some reminiscences of the old stadiums. All you have to do is ask.

So, hats off to the Phillies Ball Park staff!

Take us to the top

May I help you?

Get your program here....!

And of course, the fans

Let the Festivities Begin Part 1

  To start off my 60th Birthday celebrations, Peter, Peter, Ellen and I  take a road trip to see an afternoon game of the Fightin' Phillies, the AA team in Reading Pennsylvania, an hour and a half from Philadelphia. Today is hot and sunny, a great relief from the soaking rains.

At this stadium, you aren't allowed to bring in your own food, so we find some shade and take  time to picnic before we go in.  (Although no one actually checks our bags when we enter).

We can already hear the middle school chorus singing the Star Spangled Banner as we look for our seats between home and first base. For 12 bucks here you can sit in the 3rd row to eavesdrop on the umpire  as he calls out " Stee-rike" and empathize with the batter who grimaces at the umpire in disagreement at the call. In the summer air, the sharp crack of the bat makes us feel as if we have just hit the ball ourselves.



The 'Fightin Phils are not doing too well today, so we stay entertained by a series of goofy, loveable mascots, games and gags.  This includes the Fightin' Phillies mascots,  the Tooth Fairy,  and a vegetable race around the field. 

Winner of the vegetable race

Tooth Fairy and helper sweeping the bases

My favorite, though, is the man who sings Take Me out to the Ballgame, an older fan, clearly a crowd favorite as well.







For more of the fun, continue on to see an audacious version of the Cha Cha Slide



Let the Festivities Begin Part 2

 The Cha-Cha Slide is a line dance created by Mr. C, also known as Casper, a Chicago DJ. The dance was originally designed as a workout for Bally's Total Fitness. The steps are called out during the song ,so it is really just a series of directions-"Take it to the right" " Take it back now"

At major league games, they play a snipett where the singer says" Everybody clap your hands"      

Personally, I think its a silly dance, so they got it right with this rendition. Check out the scale as the players pass by.

The Reading Phillies have a bit of a rally in the later innings, bringing in 2 runs, but ultimately lose 8-2.

We ended up moving up under an awning to get out of the heat. Even here, behind home plate, we are still only a short distance from the field.

Thanks again to the gang who helped me start off this celebration.

A reflief from the week's events

This week was  significantly sad for many reasons: The Boston bombing, the Texas tragedy, the defeat of the gun violence control bill, attempted Risin attacks. The flags at the ball parks are at half mast, and there is a minute of silence. Surprisingly, this is the first chance I have to be quiet and reflect, bringing me to tears for it all.

Then all attention is on the resonant soaring sound of the Star Spangled Banner and the antics of a large green furry mascot. How sweet to have this time with friends as we focus our energies on a small round ball, a pitcher's stance, a runner making it to first, a steal, a run. The Phillies down two, tied, down one, tied, down one again. They keep it interesting, with a final inning of high expectations, ending alas in disappointment. Still, a happy diversion from it all.

The 2013 Blog Season Begins

On this cold but not unbearable Saturday night  I begin the season with the first night home game.

It's the bottom of the 9th with the Kansas City Royals in the lead 3-1. In the middle of the lineup at bat, this time the Phillies wait out the pitches, one by one forcing the closing Royals pitcher to walk the first 3 batters.  With the bases loaded, the thinned out crowd is starting to rise to our collective feet .
First, Dominic Brown comes up to the plate. Out.  then John Mayberry Jr. Out.
Believe me, No one is sitting now.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. (For spoiler alert, go to the end)

Friday April 5 I I sit in my office, checking in on the Home Opening Day game and see that the Phillies are ahead 4-0. I had wanted to go to that game, but couldn't get out of work. Opening Night? That was always on my mind,  but it isn't  until I but  find a great seat on Stub Hub in the 110 section at the first base line that I succomb. Click, click, the ticket is mine. 

Later in the afternoon, I check the game score and see that it is 9-4. The Phillies end up getting trounced 13-4 on the first game at home, after a less than stellar first week away. I've been to games where the Phillies are ahead and then lose badly. It is not a pretty sight, so I get worried-Yikes, is this going to be a travesty on Saturday night, too?

Still, I have fun getting my bag together in the morning. Into the well travelled pink Olympic 2010 backpack  goes a sweater, my wallet and phone, the ticket, some subway tokens. A Phillies cap comes out of the closet, though the tee shirt will have to wait for warmer weather.

 For this first game of the season, I  arrive at the ball park early to take in the sights and smells, settle into my seat, chat with the ballpark staff. Tonight I am lucky to have one of the ushers describe the previous day's opening game extravaganza.  It included, from what I understood, three men parachuting down to the field with the game ball, a flag and a bat; a Mummers string band; a high school band and chorus;
 a military detail displaying the American flag on the field. This all seems goofy, but  the picture she draws for me with her words, her gestures and her own reaction is so moving,  I have to hold back the tears.


As the game progresses, I notice that unlike the 400 section, where we might see beer hawkers, in the 100 section there is an amazing variety of vendors who troll the aisles. Each of them has a unique song as they cry out B-u-d liiiiiiight, or peeeaaaaaaanuts, or Gityur proooooooooooooogram. I am told there is also a 'pistachio girl', but  she never appears.

This is how close I am to the ballplayers.

 The season ticket  fans around  me tell about World Series games and foul balls that have landed in their section. These are regulars, rowdy when it is called for, mostly pleasantly exhuberant and rightfully outraged when the Phillies make some bad plays. (Chase Utley had 2 errors!)

The game is going along rather subdued- 3 up-3 down on both sides, until the 4th or 5th  inning when the Royals score 2 runs. I secretly think that even if they win, as long as its not by more than 2 or 3 runs, that will be better than yesterday. The Phillies get a run, the Royals score again. With the lackluster Phillies offense showing no sign of rescusitating, by the middle of the 7th inning  the park starts to clear out . (I have never understood this phenomonon , since I have witnessed many games where a team turned it around for the last at bat.)

Aha- that brings us to this game's last at bat.

Ryan Howard on his way to first base

Remember, it's the bottom of the ninth, there are 3 men on and 2 outs. No one in the park is sitting down.  Could the Phillies really pull it off? Kevin Frandsen steps up to the plate pinch hitting for the catcher, Humberto Quintero. He swings on the first pitch. A  beautiful soaring hit lands between the right and center fielders that brings in three runs to accomplish a startling surge over the Royals. The park explodes in an ecstatic uproar.  Everywhere I turn,  generous high fives for everyone all around.

A good first game to get me back in bloggin' mood. Stay tuned for more.