Day Game

Number One Son and I went to our first Twins game in about two years. Two years ago we took Ethan to the Metrodome and didn't have very good seats. He enjoyed it alright, but the game was a little long for him and we left early. Lady Di was getting antsy around the second inning.

Ethan's second game of his life was at noon, so we weren't quite so tired at the end. We got there a little early and browsed the Twins vendors. Ethan got his favorite Twin's shirt. I got a new cap. And Emery got a pink baseball pennant. She was a little disappointed about not being able to go, but she was brave and didn't cry.

I won tickets to the game from a raffle at work. These were the best seats I have ever had for a game. It was nice to actually be able to see and recognize players instead of squinting though binoculars trying to indentify the moving grains of rice from the nosebleed seats.

The only thing Ethan asked for at the game was a soft pretzel. He got his pretzel along with a DomeDog, Sprite and M&M's. He deserves to get a little extra once in a while.

The game started and it didn't look good. After the first half inning, the Twins were behind 4 to 0. After 3 innings it was 5 to 1. Then the Twins staged a comeback to win 8 to 5. It was exciting. We got our money's worth for this game. We got to see four homeruns. One of them was hit by Frank Thomas for the Bluejays for his 500th career homerun. He got a standing ovation even though the Twins were losing at that point. The Twins hit 3 more homeruns. We got to see a couple double plays, a diving catch by Torii Hunter, and the Toronto manager getting thrown out of the game for debating an umpire's call. Ethan even got to see his favorite player pitch in the 9th inning.

It was just nice to see Ethan following the action and being interested in what was going on in the game. In the past, he would have been more interested in the electronic scoreboard or reading the ads in the outfield. This time he cheered at the right times and asked appropriate questions about baseball. I really enjoyed our time together. He said he would even like to go to another game this year. I hope we can find the time to schedule another trip to the ballpark.

Teammates

Tonight was Ethan's last baseball game of the season. He had missed a few games due to his ear surgery but he was able to make it to his last game. He hit the ball a couple times and bounced a baseball off of his chin. He had a good last game.

It is gratifying to see a group of seven and eight year olds learn and improve during the two months of the baseball season. They actually started making a few outs in the field instead of filling their gloves with dirt. At the beginning of the season, one of our players confided to me that his favorite part about baseball is the snack after the game. It's also uplifting to see them become a team. They actually cheered for each other at games and asked about their teammates when they were missing.

Coach Adam and Coach Eric did a great job and all three of us feel privileged to have had such an enthusiastic team to coach.

I've mentioned before that this league doesn't keep score and everyone bats each inning. Competition is downplayed but individual effort is encouraged. Helping and congratulating each other were the most important goals that we achieved this season.

As a Dad, all you want for your child is for them to succeed and have self confidence to try things. Ethan's baseball skills improved, but his social interaction skills took a big jump forward this season. Having two way conversations with his peers is a daily learning struggle for him. Ethan was able to form friendships with multiple teammates and he missed them when he was unable to play. This years' baseball team was great mix of kids with different personalities. The whole team fit together well and everyone felt included as a team.

Next year, Ethan will move up to the next level of competition if he decides he wants to play baseball. He says he is ready to practice with me for the rest of the summer for next year. I hope we can find enough summer left to squeeze in swimming, golf, and fishing too. I also hope next year's league has snacks.

It's Lew time!

I love Minnesota Twins baseball. How could you not like it? The team plays hard and well. A league MVP, batting champ and Cy Young award winner pretty much guarantee excitement. Of all the great players on the team, my favorite player to watch is Lew Ford. He hustles like crazy and likes to have fun in the dugout too. He usually slides head first into something every game he plays. It may be home plate, outfield, 1st base or the concession stand.

But what's with his name? Lew?

I realize it is probably short for Lewis. But it is just too close to Ew. Which is what usually is said when bare feet step on sidewalk gum on a hot summer day. It's a complicated name. It can also be spelled Louis. I think this spelling is best when using the name Lou. It was used by baseball greats Lou Brock and Lou Gehrig. Football coach Lou Holtz too.
How many Lew's can you name. Lew Alcinder is the only one. And he changed his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar because he was tired of everyone misspelling it.
You also run into the problem of pronunciation with Louis. It can be pronounced Loo-is, Loo-ee, and in one song it's 'A Loo-aye, Loo-aye, Ohhh baby, we gotta go. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.'
And I haven't even mentioned Lou's of the female persuasion. There's Deputy Barney Fife's fiance, Thelma Lou. There's LuLu from Hee Haw.
In England, they call the bathroom the Loo. You can 'skip-to-muh-loo'. The Irish can 'Tu-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra.' You can see why I am so confused.

Which brings me back to my favorite player Lew Ford. So far this year he hasn't played any games yet due to injury.
I'm not shouting Boooooo. I'm shouting Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!

Lew Ford highlight reenactment.

Used by permission. Ethan Bell Copyright.

Opening Day!

We're gonna win Twins, we're gonna score!
We're gonna win Twins, watch that baseball soar!
Knock out a home run, shout a hip hooray!
Cheer for the Minnesota Twins to-day!

Today is opening day. The Twins are on TV. The kids are making Twins posters for good luck. Emery drew a batter with a yellow hat. "Emery, the Twins wear blue hats.", I said.
"I know. I just like yellow better.", she replied.
"OK, as long as they win."
She also drew a picture for the cheerleaders. I don't have the heart to tell her there are no cheerleaders in baseball.
Ethan drew a pretty good picture of Johann Santana pitching with fire on the pitches. Notice the anti-Oriole sign. Most experts pick the Twins to finish third in the division. They did the same thing last year and the Twins won the division. How can they go wrong with the Cy Young winner, the batting champ, and the league MVP.
Win or lose, I love to follow the Twins. I especially enjoy listening to them on the radio. It will be different this year with the loss of Twins broadcasting legend, Herb Carneal. He had been the Twins radio commentator since the Twins were founded in 1962.
Touch em all Herb Carneal.