But my first with the kid
Me: Do you like that I don’t watch sports?
Her: Oh yeah, I couldn’t be with someone who was locked into the TV every weekend watching some sports ballgame.
The last time I saw a baseball game was a Mets game that I saw when I was about 11 or so with my brother and his buddy Ira.
I brought a canteen for water and was mercilessly mocked by the people around us – my brother was (rightfully) embarrassed.
But people regularly walk around with 32-ounce water bottles so maybe I was just ahead of the curve?
In any case, after 42 years, I caught my second one the other day with both kids, Sara, and *50* of ABFFs friends and family.
It was kinda a surprise for the kid the day before the last day of elementary school but he figured it out.
Me: Why can’t you let me have these things?
Him: But you told I could guess!
Me: I didn’t think you’d figure it out!
So, this past Thursday, we all hopped the train for a 90-minute ride to Coney Island to check out the minor league team, The Cyclones, at Maimonides Park.
The first thing I did was get a beer and some food – essentially a burger and fries cost $20 and things went from bad to worse from there, food wise.
Me: I can’t get full. I’m gonna have to get a second mortgage and some more food.
Her: Are you even watching the game?
Me: There’s a game on?
I have to admit that it had its moments, but I was really there because the kid loves sports so much.
I wanted him to have some memories of the two of us going to a game together so that was really my main impetus.
He was definitely into it.
And the fact that Sara and the ABFF’s kids were there just made it that much better.
Oh, the tickets we got included some food, a hat, and a ring – all together, it wasn’t a bad deal.
It had some fun moments here and that we all enjoyed.
The stadium was about half empty, which I appreciated as I don’t like crowds, or people in general.
It was nice seeing the kid so into the whole experience.
I liked checking out the rest of the stadium and all of the cool things at Coney Island that I never get to see.
Ultimately, the Cyclones lost – they gave it their all in the 9th inning.
Her: They have nothing to lose so they’re going for it.
Me: Makes sense. Do you like that you have to explain sports to a man?
Her: I love the strategy of the end of the game – it’s super exciting. I’m happy to explain it!
The ABFF’s sister was the one that came up with this idea in the first place as she’s a teacher that’s really into baseball, so she figured it was a nice thing to do the day before school let out.
And she picked this particular game because (a) it let the kids round around the bases when the game was done and (b) there was a fireworks display at the end.
Of course, the kid was thrilled at these two extras at the end.
It was close to 10:30PM by the time we left…
…which meant that it was dark and relatively cold as we made our way to the station.
We were all pretty exhausted.
And, unfortunately, the trains went local for a good part of the way so that meant we got home even later than planned.
Him: Can we take a car home?
Me: We’re not made of money, kid. Plus, we’d literally just save like 20 minutes at most.
The kids tried to go to sleep but no luck.
They were too wired from the experience and the copious amounts of junk food they had while there.
It well after midnight when we got home.
Me: Did you have a fun time?
Kid: Yeah. But now I just wanna go to sleep.
Me: Good call – tomorrow’s your last day of elementary school!
Him: (sleepily) Yeah.
But he was actually excited to finish up elementary school, which I’ll tell you about in the next entry.
Location: Somewhere over Pennsylvania, I would guess
Mood: hungry, what else is new?
Music: You know I think it’s time to give this game a ride (Spotify)
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