Sunday, June 02, 2013 - Waking up in Tomah, Wisconsin
First of all, a warning: this series of posts isn’t within six
degrees of our Senators baseball (or even Kevin Bacon) connection. However, it
has everything to do with our passion for baseball.
Our story begins in the Harrisburg area, on a “Field of
Dreams” baseball diamond, where I met Mitch Mansfield. With both of us playing doubleheaders
in throwback wool uniforms on a 90-degree June day, we discovered that we share
a passion for the game beyond what may be considered “normal.”
Fast forward past many collective baseball experiences,
including breakfast with a Hall of Fame pitcher, rubbing mud on the official
baseballs prior to a single-A game, and annual baseball-themed trips. Granted,
lots of fans enjoy a leisurely baseball weekend in an away city. On a scale of
1-10, we crank that volume knob up to 11.
Mitch has carefully organized each one, usually attending
five games in five days in five different cities. He’s even tossed in a day in
Cooperstown and All*Star baseball tournaments with trophies and prizes. We’ve
had as many as twelve participants, but only three consistencies: Mitch,
baseball and me.
Usually, without any prompting or planning, something
magical happens on these trips. The aforementioned invitation from the umpires
in South Bend, Indiana to rub up the game balls qualifies as a prime example.
As of yesterday, we stick another baseball memory in our hip pockets.
As you continue to read, you'll realize that we've ripped off the volume knob this time. That's one reason only the trio of consistencies could manage an excursion of this magnitude. This year's journey covers many, many miles and nine ballgames in eight cities in eight days. Fairly aggressive itinerary, even for us, yet we've tossed in a couple of baseball-related museums just to prove we're off the charts.
Planning and logistics have ended. Mitch picks me up at O’Hare before 9 AM.
From Deep Short
This is an awesome endeavor. My wife and I did a little of this when we were on the road with my band. We hit a couple pro ball parks and followed my Cubbies. Philly and Pittsburgh. I would have gone on to Cincy but my free time was expiring and I still had to make it to MN...where, we caught a few Twins games at the Metrodome. I have always enjoyed going to games and taking in the ball park experience. In my travels I have hit several stadiums. Oh yeah, I always enjoy the stadium food...it's like popcorn at the movie theater. It just goes well together. Hope you have a great trip.
ReplyDelete