Just a little girl on the inside...: Day at the Ballpark

...Have no fear, I obeyed this rule!...

Last fall, I had promised to take Nick to a Braves vs Giants game. I bought the tickets early, and chose our seats wisely, purchasing 1st base line seats behind the Braves dugout/towards right field. Unfortunately we were not able to attend the game due to the death of my grandpa. This year, the Braves came into town a few months earlier. The start of the series was today...Memorial Day.

This marks Nick's third ballgame. First one was when he was just shy of his 1st birthday, Giants vs Cubs. Second game was when he was 5 years old. We went to Atlanta to watch the Braves play the Cubs. I really wanted today to be special for him, so we left early to catch batting practice.

One of Nick's favorite players is Chipper Jones. Unfortunately he wasn't in the line up today. Fortunately, he was still there, and participated in batting practice.

Now I'm not going to "assume" anything...but this next picture (sort of) looks as though Mr. Tim Hudson is looking directly at me. Just for the sake of it being a good story I'm going to say that he was! :) ...don't worry, I know that the man is married. I'm just trying to be funny!

I was utterly amazed at how much could be going on throughout the practice. Pitching, batting, fielding...balls being hit and thrown everywhere. I don't know how the players do it. They can be carrying on a conversation with one another while paying catch, turn to catch a ball that has been hit into the outfield, and never miss anything!!!

I thought this next one turned out pretty cool:

...and of course this one...go Coast Guard! :)

I had to take a few more of my new "admirer!"

I wonder if he caught on that I was using him as a subject to photograph? More than likely...I'm sure the word "psychotic" crossed his mind a few times!

...Actually, my persistent snapshots may have paid off. Tim Hudson caught a ball, which was hit by Chipper Jones, and then...amidst the fans shouting, "Hey Tim," he looked our way and threw the ball. Nick had his glove up and I was bare-handed behind him. We were GOING to catch that ball! I looked at Nick, who had this bewildered, "did that just happen" look on his face and asked him if he caught it. And he did!!! I was so proud of him and so incredibly happy that he was able to experience his "own" moment!

After he caught the ball, batting practice was coming to a close, so he stood by the wall with one final hope that he could snag at least one autograph. Wish #2 granted:

So we made our way to our bleacher seats. Here's a shot of the proud recipient of an official (now signed) MLB ball:

By the way...as a parent, one of the greatest feelings in the world is sharing a moment like this with your child. To see them so happy, so "child-like" is incredible!

Now I'm going to "rant" for just a few minutes. Thank goodness we had such an amazing time prior to the start of the game, because had we not been in such good moods, I totally, without a doubt would have gone off on the chic sitting in front of us. She was one of the rudest individuals I have ever met. Baseball is an American pastime. Baseball has been known over the years to be a sport that attracts young kids. She was so incredibly rude to my son, based solely on the fact that he was a Braves fan. SO WHAT?! Is it not a free country? Can we not make our own decisions about who we choose to "root" for? They were shooting t-shirts out into the crowd and as a joke between my son and I, I told Nick that if he caught one, I would pay him $20 to throw it back. She had an absolute cow, glared at the both of us, and I firmly believe that had a shirt been aimed in Nick's direction, she would have plowed him over. The funny part is...for as much as Nick would have wanted to throw one back (had he caught one), he would have found a little kid and given it to him. That's just the type of boy that he is...and I more than likely would have upped the $20 to $40 just because he's so kind.

Anyway...I was so fed up with the Giants banter and attack on poor Matt Diaz, in left field that I wish I had all of my baseball facts straight and could have fired stats back at them! I mean, I'm not sure...but to my knowledge I don't think a Braves player has been banned from baseball because of alleged steroid use. Second of all...Matt Diaz more than likely makes more in one year, than one of those Giants "fans" will see in a lifetime. (2009 salary $1,237,500! http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5595) It's just frustrating. Especially when such words, or certain "names" don't need to be spoken in front of children. Period. Don't rob my son of the joy that comes along with a day at the ballpark. Ugh...