This post is long overdue. But, as the old saying goes, better late than never. It was a little less than a month ago when I attended a Portland Sea Dogs game. As I mentioned in an earlier post seeing the Sea Dogs is a tradidition whenever we go to Maine. The Sea Dogs were playing the Erie Sea Wolves and were not expected to do well. They were second to bottom in their division and the season would be winding to a close within the coming weeks. However, tradition stands and as is tradition the Sea Dogs for the eighth year in a row now, the Sea Dogs landed victory during our visit to Hadlock Field.
But unlike the previous seven years, this game also brought about something more. More than getting lost in the sights, sounds, and smells of the ballpark. It was the souvenir I got this game which was perhaps the most exciting. Many fans wait their entire lives for one of these coveted souvenirs. Others have stories of just how close they came. Of course I am talking about the foul ball.
It was the fifth inning the Sea Dogs were tied with their opponent and all of the elements were put in place for the event to happen. The people sitting right next to us had left the previous inning to get good ‘ole ball park food. Those directly behind us too had left. I was a little taken aback when the ball went foul. It was headed directly toward us, I had to reach over my Mom in the seat next to me in order to try and get a hold on the ball. I managed to tip the ball while trying to make an in air catch. The ball then fell to the ground and rolled under the seat next to my Mom. At which point I collected the souvenir I waited eight years for. There is something special about catching a foul ball at a baseball game. It is like you enter a special club. For the briefest of moments you are a part of the play of the game. My Dad who has waited over 50 years to catch a foul ball was thrilled. Baseball always brings out the kid in him and he went around telling all of our family and friends about my catch. Or well, sort of catch. It was very cute to watch.
There is nothing quite like a baseball game. The sights, the sounds, the events. This was my eighth year watching the Sea Dogs and my eighth year since I officially accepted I was a Red Sox fan. Eight years and I am never looking back. Until next year…
Wally's Wall 