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.