Play Ball

It turns out that sometimes… just sometimes, I can be right. There are rare occasions when I have an idea or a plan that actually works out to be correct and or/true. Case in point: I have had this thing about taking Finley to the ballpark since day one. I’m of the camp that kids that can’t sit in their seat and watch a ballgame, probably shouldn’t go.
My thinking is that if I’m going to spend the money for seats, I’m not going to chase her around the ballpark or go to some in-stadium playground. Plus, there are a few other things to consider. Like foul balls, other fans, and to worry about. Which is why, the best place to introduce Finley to baseball is at a minor league park.
Things are a little more laid back when you’re away from “the show.” The fans aren’t as intense, the stadium is a bit smaller, and they really cater to kids. So, with Heather’s relatives in town for a visit, we packed up the fam and headed to Everett Memorial Stadium, the home of the AquaSox.
The AquaSox are the Single-A farm club of the Mariners and when I wasn’t teaching Finley how to say “Batta, batta batta… SA-WING batta!” or “Pitcher has a rubber arm!” I was chasing her around the grass field behind the stadium or helping her into the bouncy house near the concessions stands. She cheered and clapped for a home run or the occasional good play and even got to run around the bases after the game.

But the highlight of the day for the Finster was not anything on the field it was the bright green mascot of the AquaSox, Webbly. At first, she was mildly intrigued. And when he first passed by us, she was frightened. But somewhere, as she watched him more and more, she became obsessed. First she just wanted to see him and was constantly asking where he was. Then she wanted to give him a high five. Then she wanted to give him a hug. Of course, every time we took her to him, she’d freeze up and get scared. But that didn’t stop her fascination. Even when we got home, she kept asking where the froggy was.
But the point is that all of this chasing of the frog, the climbing over the seats, the yelling, and the all-around being a two-year old wouldn’t have flown at Safeco Field. So, save this blog. Keep it in your bookmarks. Daddy was right. It won’t be too much longer before we take her to Safeco. I’ll explain how the great game is played, what to watch for, and eventually how to keep score. Until then, we might have to go see a few more minor league games… and let her chase frogs.