Baseball Widow

A Baseball Widow Role Reversal

June 24, 2007 10:42 PM | 1 Comments

Today it was Caroline's and my turn to attend a Mariners game with her Little League Team, the Pink Angels, which is a YMCA-operated franchise. As we prepared, Bryan and 9-year-old Austin, aka "mini-me," were lounging on our bed in the master bedroom, surrounded by the Sunday sports page, and throwing out their game preparation tips from the peanut gallery. "Don't wear that. You've got to wear an M's shirt," advised Bryan. "I don't have an M's shirt," I whined. "You can wear mine." Bryan's is an XXL, so for me - petite fragile flower that I am - to wear his T-shirt is like donning a pup tent. Considering this a fashion faux pas, I passed on the offer. Then I asked Austin if I could wear his, and he said if a girl wore it he'd NEVER wear it again. I wound up with a lackluster ensemble, a basic white T-shirt, jean jacket, jeans and tennis shoes. Then, because we decided to take the bus, I was scrounging around at the last minute to find change. This is NOT the way to go to a game, my friends. In the future, I will let the great Ernest Shackleton be my role model. I will take this seriously. It's a journey, and preparation is key.

Major League Baseball Game Survival Tips

In Advance - Preferably the day before
Avoid a wardrobe tizzy - procure or borrow a hat or T-shirt with your team logo - and for your own protection, wear close-toed, comfortable shoes. Whatever you do, don't dress up and wear pencil-thin heels. They're treacherous in the nosebleed section and they smack of "I don't really care about the game; I just want to pick up guys." Of course, if this is your goal, godspeed.

If you're taking alternate transportation, e.g. THE BUS, make sure you verify fares and what the schedule is ON YOUR GAME DAY. On our return trip home, my party and I waited 1.5 hours for a #56 bus that NEVER arrived. During this time, the monsoons hit. We were wet and grumpy and finally resorted to calling a rescue party - Thank you, Bryan and Kit!

Game Day
Instead of a purse, carry a backpack so that your hands are free and you can stock up on items you might need.

Save money by bringing your own snacks, but don't bring drinks because when security rifles your purse or backpack, drinks get jettisoned.

Rehearse how your child should handle getting lost and make sure they have either memorized appropriate contact information or are carrying it in their pockets. Insist on holding your kids' hands while in transit. We lost our daughter one time and it was the longest 5 minutes of my life. We found out all of the lost kids are sent to a particular section.

Pack layers so that you're prepared for mercurial weather. Bring a rain poncho or umbrella, especially in the Nothwest.

Avoid setting your purse or backpack on the stadium floor, unless you want it to smell like old beer, sticky softdrinks or other unsavory scents.

Pre-determine with your child what your limits are regarding budget, snacks, trinkets.

Make bathroom visits at odd times.

Hope these tips help! Do you have any to add?