March 17: My Son's First Ballgame

Traditionally, we go to a Spring Training game every year we come down to Florida, either right in Sarasota (former home of the Reds, now the Orioles) or neighboring Bradenton (home of the Pirates). Thus, our matchup options are limited to whomever is playing the "home" team. Unfortunately, I've not been able to catch my beloved Red Sox yet, but, in the past, we've been able to see the Twins, Blue Jays and Yankees. Even stood about 15 feet from Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano one year as they were leaving the stadium. Not long enough to ask for an autograph, but I was still able to snap a picture and stand in awe of their celebrity status. This year we saw the Tigers down at McKechnie Field in Bradenton. I was particularly excited about this game for two reasons: (1) it was the first game to which I've ever taken my son, and (2) I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my old college roommates who is now the Assistant Trainer with the Tigers. Seeing my old friend was everything I expected. To be honest, the conversation was like we'd been hanging out regularly for the past 10 years, even though it had actually been about 18 years since I last saw him. The question mark in the whole experience was how my son would react to his first major league baseball game. For me, this was the Fatherhood dream. A dad, his son and a Grandfather hanging out at the diamond; the sounds and smells of the ballpark. A father passing along his childhood memories and dreams to his own son. Unfortunately, my son wasn't really into nostalgia on this afternoon. Nor did the excitement of being at a ballgame with the guys really do much for him. Bottom line: he was bored. So much so that at one point he was actually playing his Nintendo DS that my wife smartly tucked into my backpack before we left for the field. No hard feelings...I think he's still a little too young to understand the entire concept of baseball or the thrill of attending a spring training ballgame. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed spending the time with my son and, at least, introducing him to his first major league baseball experience.