The Playpen

Baseball has always been a pretty significant part of my life. I played organized ball for around nine years or so, and have always been a St Louis Cardinals fan. However, I believe in rooting for the home team so, when I moved to Los Angeles, I started to follow the Dodgers.

Dodger Stadium is unlike any other ballpark in the country. Its not a stadium, it’s a park. Its open and breezy with palm trees swaying in the mountains past the outfield. It’s always reminded me of a more grown up version of the little league fields I used to play on and, since the moment I sat down in the left field bleachers 15 years ago, I have been longing for the day when I might be able to share a ballgame with my son, the way my father did with me. There’s something fantastic about baseball, dads and sons. There’s a timeless bond created there that has endured through corporate sponsorship, performance enhancing drugs and Spiderman logos on the bases. When you’re there in the sun, eating a hotdog with your old man and cheering like hell at every crack of the bat, its special.

I had a daughter, though. Sure, I have a son, but it will be years before he’s old enough to go to the game, or at least old enough to share the kind of experience I’m talking about. So I decided to take Frankie. She doesn’t care much for baseball, and rolls her eyes and moans when I put a game on TV, but I thought we’d give it a shot. It wouldn’t be like taking my son, but it would be something, right?

Truth be told, I can honestly say that I have never had as much fun at a baseball game – and I’ve been to a lot of them – than I had yesterday with my little girl. It was a different baseball experience than I have ever had before, meaning there was a lot less focus on the actual game than I’m used to, but it was truly fantastic; we enjoyed every minute of it. From leaving the house decked out on our LA Dodgers best,

To our cool seats, close enough to the field but far enough back to keep the sun off our heads

We even enjoyed the 50-mile hike from our car to the stadium,

Even if we couldn’t quite make it all the way back to the car after the game without a piggyback ride.

Frankie was completely understanding and pleasant when I explained to her that she could not have sugary lemonade because she had already consumed 30 pounds of cotton candy and would have to settle for water.

We even had fun in the car on our way home, where we practiced our newfound skill of shouting “CHARGE!” at the tops of our lungs.

So, at the end of the day, it turns out I had been completely right all along. Going to a baseball game with my daughter is not as fun than it would be with my son. It’s more.

-Matt
Did you know there are lots of stylish play clothes for little boys and girls to play baseball in at our online boutique, RedSparks?

1. Eric Says:
   September 22nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm

   Very nice.. My baby boy (2 years old) loves baseball and football. San Antonio has neither in professional teams. Maybe in a few years I’ll be able to take him to maybe a high school football game or a San Antonio Missions’ Baseball game.

   My 4 year daughter will probably enjoy the baseball more than the foosball..

   Great story.. It really looks like you both has a great time.
   Eric´s last blog ..Weekend Wrap Up – In the form of a Haiku

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   Matt Reply:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 am

   @Eric, I don’t know, man. My daughter seems almost TOO entertained when she sees a middle linebacker hit a wideout so hard his helmet flies off. Its disturbing, but cool.

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2. Miss Says:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 am

   Hey me and my boy were at that game! He was so excited to finally go to a Webkinz game.

   Love this Matt. My dad took me to games as a little girl and they were some of my best memories with him. And now, when we go to games and talk baseball together, they are AGAIN my best memories with him.

   Lets Go Dodgers!
   Miss´s last blog ..In my friend, I find a second self.

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   Matt Reply:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 9:22 am

   @Miss, I think I saw you. You were the one with your face painted blue and white dancing around on the dugout yelling “Razzle Dazzle!” right?

   You mean Froggy? What exactly IS a Webkinz anyway? I’m clearly out of touch.

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   Miss Reply:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 am

   @Matt, A webkinz is a VIRTUAL pet as well as a cuddly stuffed animal she can hold. Basically, that little tag on it contains a website and a code so that she can enter the world of virtual pet ownership.
   I hope you cut it off and threw it away.
   And yes, that was me.
   Miss´s last blog ..In my friend, I find a second self.

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3. Kat Says:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 11:05 am

   Matt – this is a lovely post! My dad and I still spend most of our time hanging out together at baseball games. Its how we bonded and still do. Its a great tradition to start! Im glad she enjoyed it
   Kat´s last blog ..Lets Talk About Toilets

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