Post by RN69 on Sept 13, 2023 18:03:35 GMT
So on Saturday 9/9/23 my family and I went to watch a minor league baseball team play one of their last home games of the season. I had traveled 6 hours to be where my son and his family live in a large Southern city. I had requested that for my 75th birthday they "take me out to the ballgame". It was a unique way to celebrate this milestone being with several hundred other people but also surrounded by my loved ones. My DIL is the one who set things up for the 12 of us. She opted to get the whole birthday group package (designed really for kids) that included being able to throw out a pitch before the ballgame.
I didn't know anything about that until Friday night when my son asked if I was ready for tomorrow. I inquired in what way did I need to be ready? He told me that if I wanted to, I could be one of the ones to throw out the "first" pitch of the game. Wasn't sure that I'd be able to do that since I've never played any type of baseball and didn't think that I could throw that well. He said that we'd practice tomorrow morning which we did in his backyard. I was able to throw the ball to him fairly consistently at 30'. He reassured me that they didn't make anyone throw the ball from the pitchers mound. We had to get to the ball field early in order to register for the pitch and to be assigned a number. I was 22. Actually there were 28 people who would be throwing out a baseball that day and I wasn't even the oldest. A gentleman who had turned 91 in August was there because for his birthday, the game got rained out. Before we got to pitch I went over to wish him a Happy Birthday. He asked me not to show him up and throw the ball better than him! Told him that he didn't have to worry about that happening because I threw a ball like an old girl who had never done anything like this before. I was just hoping that I could get the ball close enough to the plate for it not to be a big embarrassment for me.
We were told to line up on the field and then given a position of where to stand to throw out the pitch. My son estimated that it was about 40' away from home plate. I managed to get the baseball to the person who was catching but it was a 'wee bit' off center! He had to reach out in order to catch it. It was a fun and memorable way to celebrate.
Weather was perfect even though a thunderstorm threatened to break down on us before the game. It seemed to circle all around the stadium and we got a few sprinkles, heard some thunder and then a rainbow appeared briefly. Temperature at game time was 74° with a light summer breeze blowing that kept those pesky bugs away.
A birthday party package bag was given to everyone which had a hot dog, potato chips, cookie and a drink in it plus a large felt pennant with the home team's logo. At one point during the game, the score board lit up with a message wishing me a Happy 75th Birthday. Simple pleasures. All in all, I think that it was a grand way to acknowledge that I was turning 3 score & 15. Unfortunately for the home team, the final score was 6 to 1 in favor of the visitors. We cheered them on none the less and sang the traditional take me out to the ballgame at the 7th inning. We weren't able to catch any of the freebies launched into the crowd but not for the lack of trying! My three younger grandkids yelled, clapped and made noises when prompted by the announcer/scoreboard. They were so loud that the people sitting behind them chose to move away. The grandkids giggled and laughed so much throughout the entire ballgame that I hope they will remember spending this time with their cousins, Aunts, Uncles and grandparents. After the game concluded there was a nice fireworks display for all to "Ooh and Ahh" over.
I don't have a big birthday blow out every year but if someone in your family will be having a milestone birthday to celebrate, consider making a memory for them by doing the not so usual. Or plan one for yourself! P.S. But just don't forget to also have the usual cake and ice cream. It's a must have tradition. 🎂 🍨
I didn't know anything about that until Friday night when my son asked if I was ready for tomorrow. I inquired in what way did I need to be ready? He told me that if I wanted to, I could be one of the ones to throw out the "first" pitch of the game. Wasn't sure that I'd be able to do that since I've never played any type of baseball and didn't think that I could throw that well. He said that we'd practice tomorrow morning which we did in his backyard. I was able to throw the ball to him fairly consistently at 30'. He reassured me that they didn't make anyone throw the ball from the pitchers mound. We had to get to the ball field early in order to register for the pitch and to be assigned a number. I was 22. Actually there were 28 people who would be throwing out a baseball that day and I wasn't even the oldest. A gentleman who had turned 91 in August was there because for his birthday, the game got rained out. Before we got to pitch I went over to wish him a Happy Birthday. He asked me not to show him up and throw the ball better than him! Told him that he didn't have to worry about that happening because I threw a ball like an old girl who had never done anything like this before. I was just hoping that I could get the ball close enough to the plate for it not to be a big embarrassment for me.
We were told to line up on the field and then given a position of where to stand to throw out the pitch. My son estimated that it was about 40' away from home plate. I managed to get the baseball to the person who was catching but it was a 'wee bit' off center! He had to reach out in order to catch it. It was a fun and memorable way to celebrate.
Weather was perfect even though a thunderstorm threatened to break down on us before the game. It seemed to circle all around the stadium and we got a few sprinkles, heard some thunder and then a rainbow appeared briefly. Temperature at game time was 74° with a light summer breeze blowing that kept those pesky bugs away.
A birthday party package bag was given to everyone which had a hot dog, potato chips, cookie and a drink in it plus a large felt pennant with the home team's logo. At one point during the game, the score board lit up with a message wishing me a Happy 75th Birthday. Simple pleasures. All in all, I think that it was a grand way to acknowledge that I was turning 3 score & 15. Unfortunately for the home team, the final score was 6 to 1 in favor of the visitors. We cheered them on none the less and sang the traditional take me out to the ballgame at the 7th inning. We weren't able to catch any of the freebies launched into the crowd but not for the lack of trying! My three younger grandkids yelled, clapped and made noises when prompted by the announcer/scoreboard. They were so loud that the people sitting behind them chose to move away. The grandkids giggled and laughed so much throughout the entire ballgame that I hope they will remember spending this time with their cousins, Aunts, Uncles and grandparents. After the game concluded there was a nice fireworks display for all to "Ooh and Ahh" over.
I don't have a big birthday blow out every year but if someone in your family will be having a milestone birthday to celebrate, consider making a memory for them by doing the not so usual. Or plan one for yourself! P.S. But just don't forget to also have the usual cake and ice cream. It's a must have tradition. 🎂 🍨