As always, the opinions shared in this blog are only those of the author. And should be shared by any other smart and sexy adult.
This just in: I'm a little into sports. If my memory serves me correctly, the first sport that I actively enjoyed was baseball. I watched the Braves break my heart as the Twins came back to win the 1991 World Series. (Yes, I experienced disappointment at an early age. Jack Morris, hope you weren't looking for a Christmas card from me. Ever!) I played* on a city league team when I was 11, and tried out for the high school team as a freshman. Alas, I did not make the team. But whatever.
*This should probably be a good time to explain the part about...playing. I admit, I wasn't very good. I lacked that oh so important thing called...athleticism. I couldn't hit. I was barely adequate at fielding. In a exhibition game once, I tried to steal third base, got tagged out, and...cried. This just wasn't me at my greatest. I did start a game...only because half the team didn't show up on time. Once they did show up, back to the bench I went. We only won one game. But I do remember getting free pizza for that win. One would think that I would have given up baseball after this. But that would require being rational. I ask you: WHO DOES THAT?
Anyway, my love for baseball never really waned. I even watched TBS do their "Strike Watch" games in 1994. I suppose I was just watching for all the people who felt that baseball "let them down." I even got to experience the Braves win the World Series in 1995, pretended not to notice when most of the guys looked much more buff, stayed riveted through the 2002 World Series, (can you name who won in less than five seconds?) made my new friends watch the Red Sox shock the Yankees in 2004, almost got my girlfriend's car towed while at a Sox-Braves game at Turner Field...the list goes on and on. While football rules in my "hierarchy," I still hold baseball close to my heart (cue Michael McDonald).
So, why does any of this matter? Well, it probably doesn't. But I tweeted that my New Year's resolution was to attend a baseball game on every level, from high school to the major leagues. In between, you have college, single, double and triple A leagues, and...well, technically the summer league (can I interest anyone in the Columbia Blowfish...maybe? Of course, most of my tweets are irrelevant. But then I got to thinking: Wouldn't it be cool if I actually went to these games...and blogged about it?!?!?
Now we're on to something.
So I took the liberty of finding teams on each level that are a reasonable driving distance away. To show a real commitment, I've already decided which games I feel are worth going to. So, in chronological order, I give you the 2010 TBF Baseball Adventure! Cue Harry Caray during the seventh inning stretch!
March 12, 2010: South Carolina vs. Brown (College)
Yes, I'm starting early. I remember being extra excited before I came to USC about the baseball team. 2006 was the year "we" lost to Texas in the College World Series title game. (Funny how long ago that seems---not only is the game no longer on CBS, the championship round is a best of three format) Anyway, I don't even know a single player on the Carolina roster. I suppose I can read up on a program or something during the game. But hey, you can get a view of the city skyline! And it's kind of near the river! And they're playing Brown...that should be a win, right??
March 19, 2010: Atlanta Braves vs. Detroit Tigers (MLB)
Little did I know that the Braves have the #1 prospect in all of baseball (according to Baseball America). And he's black! (This just in: There are not a lot of black players in baseball---at all.) I'm thinking that he'll be playing in this game. This game is also part of of the S2J (Hopefully) Inexpensive Getaway Adventure. I never cease to amaze myself with the names I come up with. Anyway, I like my chances of getting a foul ball in this game. Or...at least being struck by one. Let's just hope that I live through it.
April 2, 2010: Rock Hill vs. Ridge View (high school)
OK, I have no clue who's on either team. Obviously, that's not the point here. I am within walking distance of Ridge View High School, and I'll be in the York County Area April 2. So hey, why not spend the evening watching high school baseball? I mean, I almost made the team that year. So they say.
April 18, 2010: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves (Triple A)
I enjoyed the only other time I was at a Knights game. At these games, you always have the chance of seeing a big league player on a minor league rehab stint. Of course...there's no one from the White Sox major roster that I would actually like to see in person. OK, maybe Mark Buerhle. And that's a stretch. Last time I was there, this family brought their kid's playpen to the lawn area. The entire thing. Um...a little too much, maybe?
May 14, 2010: Myrtle Beach Pelicans vs. Salem Red Sox (single A)
Irrelevant, yet relevant sidebar: I told my mom that I was going to Florida next week for a little getaway. She finds it unfortunate that I'm going on a vacation without her. By the way, I'm 26 years old. Anyway, she then calls me later to see if I can find out how much it would cost to stay at some hotel in Myrtle Beach. She was thinking about going there for a vacation. Was she...trying to make me jealous? If that were the case, maybe she should have gone with...anywhere other than Myrtle Beach. Anyway, I remember when this team came to the beach. Everyone was excited! Who knows if that's the case now. Guess we shall find out May 14th!
June 18, 2010: Carolina Mudcats vs. Huntsville Stars (double A)
Quick history lesson: The Carolina Mudcats are a double A team for the Cincinnati Reds. So this likely means that...most of these players suck. But the Reds did sign that Cuban guy (Alrodis Chapman, if you dare to care). So hey, maybe things are on the up for the Reds. And the stadium looks pretty nice. And I've never been to...wherever this stadium happens to be. But this is the last piece in my baseball puzzle. Well, almost...
Sometime this summer: Columbia Blowfish vs. Whoever they play
I'm a little embarrassed that I took the time to look up this mascot. This is the best they could do??? Anyway, I don't think the rosters are even set yet, and I think it's a little unfair that they have to play at Capital City Stadium when the "majestic" Carolina Stadium is oh so close by. But anyway, this will be more like a victory lap, since I would have gone through six other baseball games to get to this point. And then I can (not) blog about other things. Like football!
So there is my mission. I suppose I do accept it, since I was the one who came up with it. So I hope I put up some pictures worth enjoying, and at least have something relevant to say about each game. So, uh, stay tuned?
