Sunday evening, Aidan and I took in a baseball game, just father and son. I had been looking forward to it, thinking about what a special thing it is to bond with my son. I worried for a while that day, because a few hours before the game a storm rolled through Auorora. The rain lasted only minutes, however, and did not prevent the game from being played.
We went to see the Kane County Cougars, the single-A team of the Oakland A's. Their stadium is about 15 minutes from our house, which is benefit number 1 compared to taking him to a Cubs game. Anyone with small children knows that sometimes the trip somewhere can waste precious "good behavior" time. Benefit #2 is the price of a ticket. I bought the best seats in the house, for $12 a piece. First base line, a little past first toward right field, 5 rows up. Benefit #3 is free parking. Benefit #4 is all of the activities they have for kids. Benefit #5 is having no one yelling "Soriano, you suck &*%$!!" I heard no foul language at the Cougars game, compared to the constant onslaught at Wrigley Field.
As we approached the stadium, we were handed a free sample of a Dunkin Donuts iced caramel latte. Aidan loves Dunkin Donuts, a love passed down from his Grandma, and he loves iced lattes, a love handed down from his mommy. Good start as far as he was concerned. We went to will call, picked up our tickets, and entered the stadium.
He actually exclaimed "Wow!" upon seeing the field, and immediately wanted to find our seats. I wanted to walk around with him a little, because we got there about an hour and a half before the game was to start. But we found our seats, watched a little batting practice, then went for a walk. We made note of all the concessions available, saw a little kids area with a giant slide and obstacle courses, and then sought out the souvenir shop. It had heated up quite a bit since the storm, and I felt my head burning already. So a got a Cougars hat, which was only $9.00!
Before the game, the crowd was invited down for autographs and photos with the players. I took a photo of Aidan with my phone, but being somewhat slow, I cannot figure out how to get the photos off of it to post here. After the photo, he turned to the Cougars dugout and said he wanted to go in there. I told him he couldn't, so he kicked dirt into it! Thankfully it was very chaotic, and I don't think anyone saw it. I guess it was his Piniella move.
By the time the game started, the sun was beating down on us from over the other side of the stadium. I now know that evening games should be watched from the third base line, because for a few innings I had to squint to see the field. Aidan had been acting tired, and for the first couple innings, he laid down on my lap. I thought this was the end for him. But as the sun went down and it got cooler, and as he made friends with Nick, the 4-year-old sitting behind us, he started getting re-energized. It was cool to see him interact with Nick; I told Nick's dad that they were peas in a pod.
The "skits" between innings featuring a bird called Birdzerk were probably Aidan's favorite part of the game. Birdzerk taunted the opposing players, he danced, he drove around the field. Aidan laughed and laughed, and when the game resumed he always asked, "Where did Birdzerk go?"
In the fifth inning Aidan told me he had to throw up; I thought maybe the heat, his Sierra Mist and the corndog were conspiring against his stomach. But when we got to the bathroom, he said, "I was just kidding, I don't have to throw up." Thanks.
In the seventh inning, while he was enjoying a raspberry slushie-type thing, he suddenly looked up and said, "Uh-oh, POOP!" We raced to the bathroom again, and this time it was not a joke. While using the facilities, he kept asking if Nick was going to use the bathroom after him. I was proud of the little guy for letting me know!
After the game, we were treated to a pretty cool fireworks display. Aidan kept saying, "I want a bigger and bigger and bigger one" while putting his arms wide in the air. And then after the fireworks, we were able to go onto the field to run the bases. He was so cute as he raced around the bases. I got a really cute photo of him between second and third, and another good one of him stepping on home plate. Again, the photos reside only on my phone.
Walking back to the car, he said goodnight to everyone we passed, even the police officer directing traffic. He said he couldn't wait to come to another ballgame, even wishing we could go immediately, right now, to another game. But he'd like it if Catie and Mommy could come to.
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