Baseball Night In America

I think I said the other day that the PNats clinched a berth in the playoffs and Cody, Cora, and I got tickets. Well, tonight was Game 1 of their first series. It was scheduled for a 7:00 start, but a thunderstorm rolled through and the game was pushed back an hour. I almost bailed entirely--going at 8:00 would mean we'd get an hour at the park and it seemed almost cruel to bring the kids to their first truly meaningful game and then have to leave after a couple innings.

But then I thought of the immortal words of the great Danny Ainge: Come on! It's the playoffs!

And we went. And again, magic.

The field box seats really are amazing. I'm pretty sure Cody is ruined for ever going to a big-league park:

Because it's the playoffs, both teams lined up on the sidelines for introductions.

And then, when the PNats starting catcher, the superbly named Raudy Read ("Let's get Raudy!") was called out, he jogged past our box and handed the ball he'd been working with to Cody. Who went insane. I insisted he share with Cordelia and he was more than happy to do so. Because this wasn't an ordinary ball. It was a Playoff Ball.

But then, in the bottom of the first, a foul ball was hit to the first base side. The first base coach scooped it up and tossed it into our box. A guy in his late 50s caught it and walked right over to us and handed it to Cora. So two Playoff Balls.

Then Uncle Slam came by for a visit--and he signed Cora's ball.

And then, in the third inning, with the bases loaded, Cody was dialed in to the game. He looks like he's 12. Maybe one of my five favorite pictures of him, ever.

We left after the third inning. Both kids were super good sports about it. I tucked them into bed 30 minutes ago, a mere two hours after their bed time. On a school night. I'm sure I'll pay for this tomorrow. But again: Come on! It's the playoffs!

As I type this, the PNats lead 6-0 at the bottom of the 6th and play has been suspended again as another storm pushes through.

And I go to sleep happy in the knowledge that if they win their best-of-three series with Lynchburg, I already have our tickets to the next series.