Baseball Fest

Baseball and I go way back. I used to watch the game on TV with my parents fairly often; in fact, the year I was born, our home team won the World Series. My parents took me to my first game and I never got over that incredible feeling of unity, or the atmosphere of the ballpark in general—the calling out of “Cold Bud!” or “Peanuts!” and the various chants and songs we’d sing to root our team on. It was one of my favorite childhood experiences, even if it was only a single one or two events.

What do you love most about America’s favorite pastime? Here are my top ten favorites.

10. The Salespeople

I’m not sure what you’d call them—the people who walk around calling out to get you to buy a frozen lemonade or a pretzel—but for some reason, they are the least offensive salespeople I know! Maybe it’s because you get hungry (or hot and thirsty) sitting there, and they are more than welcome with their wares.

9. The Fans

I love sitting with fellow Cardinals fans because as long as you are on the same team, it’s almost as if you are family for a day. I don’t care if it’s the wave or just cheering for a homerun; it’s almost a kind of sports fellowship.

8. The Journey

It sucks climbing up to get to your seat, and if it’s a crap seat the height is even scarier—but it makes it that much sweeter when you get there.

7. The Snacks

You can’t go to the ballgame without an authentic hotdog and ice cold fountain soda—though they will cost you a pretty penny.

6. The Players’ Ringtones

That’s what I call the different songs they play for each player, something that I think is new since I was a kid.

5. The Fireworks

When you hit a homerun, that’s what we get to see and hear—and it’s just so exciting.

4. The Hotties

Okay, maybe I am biased, but I tend to think that baseball players are so much hotter than any other sports players. In junior high and high school, I harbored a serious crush on then-Cards man Fernando Vina.

3. The Game Itself

That’s why we are there, right? And when it’s a good one, it’s something you remember forever—what it was like, what you did, what happened, and who you were with.

2. The Company

Baseball games are such good times for dates and family. I remember every person I’ve ever gone with.

1. The Atmosphere

I guess the rest could be summed up with just this one item, but it’s really my favorite thing. I can’t wait to go to our next game in two months with 4-H club; we get to walk on the field and everything!