OPENING DAY!

It is here, yet another baseball season, and for those 39k+ that were fortunate enough make it out to PNC Park, we were all witness to a great pitchers duel.

Stepping away from the game, this was my sons, David, first ever Opening Day. From the moment he found out, over Christmas Break, he was going to go to the game, he has been counting down, and so was I. We found ourselves, immediately, back into our game day rituals; made our way for a slice of pizza, watched batting practice, and enjoyed the pre-game videos.

Though this was his first Opening Day, this was not his first sell out. The crowd was mostly a Pirates crowd, as it should be, with a few pools of Phillies fans through the stadium. There was an all around great feel, within the ball park.

Entering my 3rd full season, of being a Pirates Season Ticket Holder, there are many great things to come this season; an improved team, great games and giveaways, and most importantly, more father-son time that I, no, we both live for.

‘BALLHAWKS’ RUIN IT FOR THE KIDS

Over the past several years, there have been several news worthy stories, that have spread like wild fire, out of the Coonelly camp. Of course we all know about the Pierogi Incident of 2010, and the Bar Boycott of 2011. This years news worthy story may not have happened yet, but I am going to refer to this as the Ballhawk Policy of 2012.

In years past, the PNC Park ushers would make their way into their designated sections, before the gates open, to prepare themselves for people to be seated. As they would go through the section, they would find balls from batting practice and would place them in their bag to give to the young children in their section.

I was told today, by the usher in my section, that there is now a policy in place that states the ushers are now longer permitted to pick up any balls they may find. There were several complaints throughout the year, last year, by the ‘ballhawks,’ that all of the balls were being given to the children.

Now don’t jump down my throat here! There are several ‘ballhawks’ that do give balls to children, and they know who they are. There have been several incidents where I seen grown men, literally, running over kids to get a ball. A BALL.

Lets all be mature adults here, and stop complaining about not getting a ball.

PITTSBURGH VS. PHILADELPHIA

Its been going on for years, Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia.

We all know how the Philadelphia fans are. Rude. Obnoxious. Many, many more adjectives. The rivalry is more prominent in hockey, football seemingly is just a put on by TV networks airing the games, but the two series a year the two meet, in baseball,  have been getting more heated and one sided since 2009.

Ever since the Phillies won the World Series, in 2008, the fans have been ever so arrogant and don’t remember 1985 – 2001. In that 17 year span, the Phillies had a losing record in all but one season, 1993, when they won the NL East.

There were a group of middle aged Phillies fans sitting in front of me today, and with every video played, play made and cheer had, they immediately mentioned the 19 straight losing season. Several Pirates fans would try to quiet them, but failed.

“Go get a real hockey team!” “Hockey starts at 7” – One point, Phillie fans.

“We won more World Series than you did!” “Yea, but our last one was four years ago” – I’ll call that one a draw

“How’s your NBA team doing?” “I don’t know, are the 6ers even playing?” -One point, Pirates fan.

Lets do everyone a favor, if you’re at a baseball game, don’t bring up hockey and vice versa. But most importantly, WHEN, not IF this team makes it deep into the playoffs, do not become arrogant like Philadelphia fans.

 

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