October222009
Dodger Stadium - July 24, 2009 This picture was taken three months ago. But, a day after the Dodger’s season was ended by a merciless thrashing by the Phillies, I wanted to go over some happy baseball thoughts to wash out the bitter taste of defeat. Also, waiting nearly three months was necessary to curb my childlike enthusiasm and prevent a deluge of exclamation points. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to geek out for a moment. OMG, I caught a ball!!! I CAUGHT A BALL AT A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME!!!!! I CAUGHT IT WITH MY HAND!!!! *Ahem* (See why I had to hold off on posting this for so long?) That night was the most fun I’ve ever had watching a baseball game in my life. It’s always a treat to go out to the ballpark and take in a game, especially at Dodger Stadium. But, this game helped fulfill a few childhood dreams, so it gets a special place in my memory. What were those dreams, you ask? Oh…you didn’t ask? Well, whatever. I’m gonna tell you anyway. Amazing seats - Technically, my dream as a kid was to watch games in the dugout as a player. But, that didn’t work out and this was the next best thing. Section 39a, Row 1, Seat 1. I was literally sitting right next to the batboy on the 3rd base side. In fact, the batboy even shared his sunflower seeds and bubblegum. The view was so amazing that now I’m spoiled and refuse to watch a game from any other seats. In other words, with the pricetag on these tickets, this may have been my last baseball game. Frolicking In The Grass - In a continuation of my dream to be a professional baseball player, I always imagined that one day I’d get to set foot on the raked dirt of an infield or the freshly cut grass of an outfield. As luck would have it, Dodger Stadium was having a fireworks night, and fans were allowed to watch from the field. The moment they opened the gates, I bolted across the field, running and giggling like an overgrown 7 year old. It wasn’t exactly my vision of making an amazing, diving play to seal a World Series title, but it was still a thrill. Plus, I ended up sitting next to a group of morbidly overweight guys dressed like Elvis, and that was hilarious. I CAUGHT A BALL - Everyone who goes to a baseball game wants to catch a ball. There are no exceptions to this rule. None.The first game I ever attended was in 1993. I sat in the rightfield pavilion and had a Mike Piazza homerun ball sail over my outstretched glove by mere inches. In all the years since, I haven’t even been close to a ball that’s ended up in the stands. Until this night.Manny Ramirez was up to bat and the stadium was buzzing. Everyone was standing, anticipating a monstrous hit. First pitch, second pitch, third pitch, nothing. But on the fourth pitch, Manny took a huge swing and fouled the ball off directly into my section. To say it happened in a flash is an understatement, as the ball went from bat to stands in a split second. All I remember is a group of girls sitting across from me screaming and jumping out of the way as I foolishly jumped out of my seat and into the ball’s trajectory. The next thing I knew, I felt a white hot sting in my right hand. And when I looked down, I was holding the ball. People started giving me high fives and thumbs up. I started yelling like an idiot. I ended up on the jumbotron, pumping my fist and looking like a psychopath. I was the happiest little boy in the entire stadium.But, I think my favorite moment of the night came at the end of the game when a little boy, probably about 5 years old, walked up and we had a quick conversation. “Did you catch Manny’s ball?” Yes. Yes, I did. “Cooooool.” Totally cool. *high five*Looking back at it, the little guy may have been trying to use his cuteness to finagle a free ball from me. In which case, too bad, buddy. I’ve been waiting a long time for this. Get your own damn ball. This one is mine. MINE. ALL MINE. Ahhhh. That helps to ease the disappointment from being eliminated. It still sucks, because I really think they could have gone all the way this year. But on the bright side, the season was fun, full of exciting finishes and exceeded expectations. Plus, I got a ball out of it.

Dodger Stadium - July 24, 2009

This picture was taken three months ago. But, a day after the Dodger’s season was ended by a merciless thrashing by the Phillies, I wanted to go over some happy baseball thoughts to wash out the bitter taste of defeat. Also, waiting nearly three months was necessary to curb my childlike enthusiasm and prevent a deluge of exclamation points.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to geek out for a moment.

OMG, I caught a ball!!! I CAUGHT A BALL AT A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME!!!!! I CAUGHT IT WITH MY HAND!!!!

*Ahem* (See why I had to hold off on posting this for so long?)

That night was the most fun I’ve ever had watching a baseball game in my life. It’s always a treat to go out to the ballpark and take in a game, especially at Dodger Stadium. But, this game helped fulfill a few childhood dreams, so it gets a special place in my memory. What were those dreams, you ask? Oh…you didn’t ask? Well, whatever. I’m gonna tell you anyway.

  1. Amazing seats - Technically, my dream as a kid was to watch games in the dugout as a player. But, that didn’t work out and this was the next best thing. Section 39a, Row 1, Seat 1. I was literally sitting right next to the batboy on the 3rd base side. In fact, the batboy even shared his sunflower seeds and bubblegum.

    The view was so amazing that now I’m spoiled and refuse to watch a game from any other seats. In other words, with the pricetag on these tickets, this may have been my last baseball game.
  2. Frolicking In The Grass - In a continuation of my dream to be a professional baseball player, I always imagined that one day I’d get to set foot on the raked dirt of an infield or the freshly cut grass of an outfield.

    As luck would have it, Dodger Stadium was having a fireworks night, and fans were allowed to watch from the field. The moment they opened the gates, I bolted across the field, running and giggling like an overgrown 7 year old. It wasn’t exactly my vision of making an amazing, diving play to seal a World Series title, but it was still a thrill. Plus, I ended up sitting next to a group of morbidly overweight guys dressed like Elvis, and that was hilarious.
  3. I CAUGHT A BALL - Everyone who goes to a baseball game wants to catch a ball. There are no exceptions to this rule. None.

    The first game I ever attended was in 1993. I sat in the rightfield pavilion and had a Mike Piazza homerun ball sail over my outstretched glove by mere inches. In all the years since, I haven’t even been close to a ball that’s ended up in the stands. Until this night.

    Manny Ramirez was up to bat and the stadium was buzzing. Everyone was standing, anticipating a monstrous hit. First pitch, second pitch, third pitch, nothing. But on the fourth pitch, Manny took a huge swing and fouled the ball off directly into my section. To say it happened in a flash is an understatement, as the ball went from bat to stands in a split second.

    All I remember is a group of girls sitting across from me screaming and jumping out of the way as I foolishly jumped out of my seat and into the ball’s trajectory. The next thing I knew, I felt a white hot sting in my right hand. And when I looked down, I was holding the ball. People started giving me high fives and thumbs up. I started yelling like an idiot. I ended up on the jumbotron, pumping my fist and looking like a psychopath. I was the happiest little boy in the entire stadium.

    But, I think my favorite moment of the night came at the end of the game when a little boy, probably about 5 years old, walked up and we had a quick conversation. “Did you catch Manny’s ball?” Yes. Yes, I did. “Cooooool.” Totally cool. *high five*

    Looking back at it, the little guy may have been trying to use his cuteness to finagle a free ball from me. In which case, too bad, buddy. I’ve been waiting a long time for this. Get your own damn ball. This one is mine. MINE. ALL MINE.

Ahhhh. That helps to ease the disappointment from being eliminated. It still sucks, because I really think they could have gone all the way this year. But on the bright side, the season was fun, full of exciting finishes and exceeded expectations. Plus, I got a ball out of it.
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