Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Turner Field of Dreams


Build it and they will come! Indeed, we were at Atlanta's Turner Field this past Saturday afternoon on a hot, muggy, overcast day to watch the Braves play against the NY Mets. It was Nicholas' first time ever at a "real" baseball game, so Donica decked him out appropriately. G'ma snapped away!


This is my favorite shot (above) of the entire day! As we stood in line to enter the stadium, Nicholas at one point simply crouched down and observed. This is typical of him when he's been excited about something new and then gets caught up in the experience.


We were at the stadium THREE HOURS before the game started for 2 reasons: the first 20,000 people got give-away bats and we wanted to get at least one autograph for Nicholas (which never happened, sad to say, after all the waiting). In between, we had fun with all the interactive stuff around, including the chance for Nicholas to whack a ball into the outfield (above). See the ball?! His dad has been teaching him how to stand and pivot, which obviously is paying off. We were just glad he wasn't too shy to play with the big boys.


Here she is, Turner Field (of Dreams). Donica was so sweet to get us seats under one of the overhangs to be in the shade the entire time. It was an overcast day but when the sun did peek out, we were so glad not to be in it. And what a vantage point, right? (Thank you again, Donica!)


Nicholas had a number of things to entertain him, including this battery-operated water fan. He had fun squirting himself and Donica, and then tried getting me into the fray. Have you noticed how often you can let your camera be a good excuse for "off-limits?" (G'ma, you're no fun!)


It's not a real ballgame without the prerequisite hotdogs and cotton candy, of course (see the photo album).

Never mind that the Mets whalloped us, 11-3. It was a day of dreams and memories. A day of playing with the big boys. What a fun way to start being 6 years old!

18 comments:

  1. Only the first of many games we will see with Nicholas!

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  2. that is awesome. the pics are great. I haven't been to a bball game since I went with my friend Susan - maybe age 25ish in SF. We had a fun time! Even more fun after the game - lol.

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  3. Love all the pics in the photo album, Mom! What a great opportunity for Nicholas -- looks like a fun time was had by all! And suddenly a hotdog sounds really good! :-)

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  4. Hi Ginnie, sorry the "Mets" beat you... but i bet Nicholas enjoyed this and will remember it for many a day to come... well at least he will remember the "hotdog" it is almost as big as him. :)
    Best wishes Neil

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  5. Donica: I'm sure, knowing you :)

    ET: My first major league bb game was when I was married and lived in Pasadena. We went to a Dodgers' game when Valenzuela was pitcher! Nicholas is lucky to have attended a game so young.

    Amy: Thanks. Actually, all 3 of us had a hotdog and it WAS good. Something about eating it at a bb game made it taste awesome!

    Neil: Yeah, about the Mets. They won the entire series. UGH. Too bad for the Braves this year. Oh well, that's definitely NOT what we'll remember about the day!

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  6. gotta tell ya--

    my idea of a game is the white sox, comiskey (never cellular in my house!), chicago-style-dog, and a guinness! :)

    what a great memory for you all.

    Amy-don't you like baseball?!!

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  7. Shari - I'm actually not a huge baseball fan, but I really enjoy going to Braves' games -- great venue and good for people watching! However, in this case, Mom and Donica had Nicholas for an overnight and decided to use some of their time with him for the game. So it was never an issue of me not wanting to go -- this was their special time together!

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  8. Mrs. M/Shari: We all have our teams to root for, don't we :)

    Amy: And special it was!!! If you had been there, it would have been special as well, of course :)

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  9. Neat photos of Nicholas. It looks and sounds like he enjoyed the event. I haven't gone for years; but I remember that as a kid it was a thrill.

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  10. Tim: Always a thrill for kids at heart!

    Dennis: Yes, indeed! So glad you could see it through our eyes :)

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  11. What a great gift! I've never been to a baseball game before although I loved to play as a kid.

    I had the same thought Neil had: That hotdog is almost half the size of Nicholas! Lovely and funny pict ;-)

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  12. I loved playing baseball as a kid, too, CS, so going to big-time games is a real treat for ME. I can imagine how Nicholas will enjoy these mem'ries when he's an adult. Hotdog included :)

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  13. Great photos of the fun events of the day. I haven't been to a ballgame since high school. Shameful because San Francisco has an amazing stadium.

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  14. Ok, Mad, just do it :) Just don't pick a Giants vs. Braves game :(

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  15. You guys thought of everything, and the fan with water was a great idea for beating the heat. Love all the athletics, even though I never participated myself growing up. Except watching the Tigers on TV with Dad.

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  16. Oh yes, Ruth--the Tigers' baseball games with Dad! I remember as a young girl thinking baseball was so slow and boring. Not any more :)

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  17. Is it that YOU don't think it is slow and boring any more, or that it ISN'T slow and boring any more?

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  18. What a good question, Ruth! Donica agrees that a lot of people (is it when we're young?) don't think it's very exciting. But when you get into the game, especially when it's your home team and you start rooting for them, it really does get quite exciting. It clearly does not have the "action" or pace of basketball or football, so in that sense, it IS a "slow" game, particularly when a batter can take umpteen pitches before hitting the ball or striking out. Hmm. Now you've got me thinking :)

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