Gray's First Ball Game

There are 162 games played in a major league baseball season.  Some more memorable than others for different reasons.

I have been to many games over many years and I have very fond memories of some of those games.  Some games, like most thoughts from years gone by, are lost to the memory monster.  But once in a while a game comes along and I just know I won’t forget the day.  Today was one of those days.

Today, my wife and I took our boy, Gray, to his first baseball game.  I was more excited than I had been for my first trips to Fenway or Wrigley combined. Just giddy and proud as we marched toward the entrance to Tropicana Field, with Gray glued to my chest in his Baby Bjorn.  I had planned a month ago about getting special seats (first row along the field) and just having an outstanding day.  The one thing I couldn’t predict or control was how Gray would take to it all.  But by the time the Marlins recorded the final out and beat the Rays in the rubber match of their annual interleague Citrus Series, I had answers and memories that will stay with me forever.  

I have a friend who runs the fabulous website, baseballpilgrimages.com.  Last year he wrote about taking his baby boy to his first game, and how special it was for him even though his son wouldn’t remember the milestone.  I felt the same way today.  I know Gray won’t recall the lights, the beer vendors, the home runs, or ripping his mother’s earring out of her ear.  He won’t remember running the bases after the game or smiling and grinning at all those around us.  He certainly won’t be able to tell you that Marlin’s second baseman, Dan Uggla, came over and called him “healthy and fat.”  But I will remember it all, and not just because I took pictures. 

Being a dad has been a desire of mine for sometime because of days like today.  When I was a kid my dad would play catch with me in the yard when I was growing up and take me to ballgames.  I remember the games he took us to at the West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium (long gone now), then home of the Montreal Expos and Atlanta Braves Spring Training complex.  I loved going to those games, having my dad teach me about game management, explaining the rules and the why’s to us.  I loved running after foul balls, getting mini-wooden souvenir bats and those crappy adjustable batting helmets.  I loved it all.  As I got older I knew that I would one day hope to do the same for and with my children, and not because I wanted to dress them up in a cute uniform or show them off (though that’s part of it – Gray is pretty adorable), but because it is my way of continuing the father-son bond that I built with own dad.  In fact, as I think of it now, the only thing that could have made it better is if I would have planned for my dad to go to the game with us.  But as it turned out, Gray was great – beyond great actually – he , and the day, was perfect.  And because of that, and everything else, Sandi and I declared today a fantastic success.

One thing about the dome at Tropicana Field, you know it is going to be pleasant on the inside when outside in the Florida summer heat your skin is melting beneath your clothes that are as damp as if you were sitting in a sauna.  We didn’t have to worry about Gray being uncomfortable because of the controlled environment of The Trop.  Had it not been for the dome I am not even sure I would have tried to take him to a game this early in his young life.  However, that, too, worked in our favor as we made our way down the aisle to the first row of seats along the third baseline. 

I have a bunch of Marlins pictures that I had taken last year and last month of games I attended at Wrigley Field, and in one particular picture I was with Dan Uggla.  I had wanted him to sign it yesterday but he wasn’t available, however when we arrived at our seats today he was stretching about fifteen feet in front of us.  After a few minutes I asked him to come over, and he did, that’s when he commented on Grayson’s plumpness as well as some other kindly back and forth with Sandi. 

You ever stand for the National Anthem and hear kids talking or babies crying?  I have.  A lot.  But I am proud to report that Gray not only was silent for the entire anthem, he stared straight ahead at the color guard for the whole song. 

I should also point out that mom is as much a part of the success of this day as Grayson is.  Sandi’s “Grayson time of possession” to my own was about 90%-10%.  One reason is because we were so close to the field that I needed to be ready in case a ball was launched our way (which is a high probability and which did actually happen, though the ignoramus to my right reached into my glove and slapped the ball out as I was reeling it in). The other reason is Gray is just naturally more calm in Sandi’s arms.  So I took advantage of both situations, but stood up and held Gray between innings to give mom a brief respite from the little man. 

Grayson, I think, would have been good regardless, because as precocious as he is sometimes, he is a mute gawker.  If there are things to be seen he views them in silence.  With all the people and players and sights and sounds, he was fully in awe of his surroundings.  Much too busy to pout or cry.  The closest he came to any type of fit was about the fifth inning when he grew tired.  Shortly thereafter he was asleep for two innings.  Very nice for everyone. 

After the game we looked for, and found Sandi’s earring with the help of a very nice kid and the staff of the Tampa Bay Rays.  By the time I fished the diamond out of the crack in the steps most of the crowd had left and children were running the bases.  I asked if it would be okay for Gray and me to take a turn, too, and got the nod that we could.  So while dozens of kids ages two-13 bounded, stumbled, and sprinted the bases, I walked over to third base with Gray (back in the Bjorn) and did my best to run in slow-motion towards home plate while Sandi too a few pictures.  I admit that selfishly I would have been excited to be on the field in any situation, but doing so with my son was a splendid experience.  

The Marlins won today 6-1 but I may not remember the score.  However, what I do know is that I won’t forget the feeling I had as we drove to the stadium, ambled to the entrance, and stood by the field for the first time with Gray.  I can never have another first game with him, but someday I can tell him all about it and show him the pictures.  And maybe someday he’ll do the same for his children.  That’s the best I can hope for.