The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Baseball Club opened their inaugural season earlier this month. We have talked about taking the boys to at least one game this year, and earlier this week I had a chance to go to two games.
About 30 minutes after buying my ticket for me and Josiah to go to Thursday night’s game, I got a call from a friend that had tickets for Wednesday night’s game that he wasn’t able to use. The game was going to start in two hours so I had to decide if I wanted to take the younger two (the older two were at Nanny & Papa’s for the week) to a game that night. I decided to go against my normal ‘everything has to be planned weeks in advance’ personality, and decided to go to the game.
The three of us had a good time, even though we only saw the first 5 innings. Taking a 4 year old and a 2 year old to a game all by yourself does not really allow you to stay for the entire game. I think the boys enjoyed playing in the big sandbox more than watching the game.
On Thursday, Josiah and I went to the game that I had bought a ticket for. This time we made it to the top of the 7th inning before it was time to go. It was a beautiful night for a game (unlike the night before where it was cool, windy, and rainy).
Here are a few things I learned about minor league baseball:
-The home team players serve as the ground crew (it was strange to see a player in uniform putting down the chalk lines).
-Tickets are very affordable. $6 will get you in the door for a bleacher seat, and $5 will get you in for standing room only. Standing room only was a nice spot. It was right by the big sandbox, and you were at ground level of the field.
-Concessions are affordable. Unlike big league stadiums where you need a second job to bring a family to a game, food and drinks were very reasonable.
-You will likely see many people that you know. This is especially true in a small town. If you don’t want to see someone from work, church, etc, don’t go to a small town minor league baseball game.
Thursday night was Vietnam Veterans night at the ballpark. What made the night even more memorable was having the opportunity to view the traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall. The Wall was setup just beyond the outfield fence. The Wall was a miniature version of the big memorial in Washington, DC, but just as moving. Having been born 2-3 years after the Vietnam War ended, I am still amazed how moved I was the first (and second) time I saw the Wall in DC. I remember my dad talking about guys that he knew that had died in Vietnam, but it never affected me directly. I was very surprised how emotional I was the first time I saw the Wall. Having lost a classmate, and knowing others that have been wounded in the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the traveling Wall was just as powerful.
As we approach the 4th of July holiday let us know forget the men and women that have died protecting our freedom.
Chris
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