A Few of My Favorite Things at the Ballpark

(a re-print of a favorite post, and why I love going to the park)

1) A young child learning the game, and eagerly anticipating that foul ball he just knows is going to be hit to him.

2) Singing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' during the 7th inning stretch, and for 5 minutes, the peace and harmony of 40,000 people not caring what's wrong in their life or in the world.

3) Knowing exactly what hotdogs are made from, and not caring one iota as I order two.

4) Watching the professionalism of the grounds crew, who enjoy their jobs, and treat the field as the sacred place that it is.

5) Having fun with good friends as we think of how many peanut guy slogans we can come up with "Put some of my salty nuts in your mouth, they're delicious".

6) A classic pitcher's duel, where the first(and only) mistake loses the game.

7) The crack of the bat, the crescendo of the roaring crowd, a well-timed well-placed Heckle.

8)Being outdoors on a 75 degree night, a 7 dollar beer, and all the Sunflower Seeds one can spit as we map out our 'Foul Ball Strategy'.

9) Calling pitches and talking baseball w/friends and strangers who appreciate the infinite amount of algorithmic possibilities that can occur from pitch to pitch.