Summer ballgames

Since we apparently can't have an entire week without doing something extraordinary - Ryan got some free tickets secondhand from a member at the golfcourse where he works to go to a Braves game on Monday night. So after Ryan finished his last Praxis exam (YIPPEE!) we jumped in the car and headed for Atlanta, arriving just in time to get to our seats for the national anthem... except that the security people refused to let me bring my bigger zoom lens inside. Apparently they thought I could take good pictures with it or something. ;-) So we had to walk the entire way back to the car to put it away and THEN back to the park. This must be a new policy since both Carrie and I have had our lenses inside before.

We knew we had better than usual seats but we were shocked when we were checked through some security doors into a private section of the ballpark with air conditioning, carpeting, historical pictures and paintings, and lots of eateries selling pasta and other fancy food as well as the usual stadium fare. There were also leather chairs and big screen TVs for watching the game - why wouldn't you just go outside and watch it in real time???

Then we got to our seats and found that we were right next to the press and announcers!

What a great view! Just high enough and right on the first base line.

Ryan's wearing the white hat with the navy blue shirt and sunglasses on his head.

Bobby Cox sends the pitcher out... the Braves were playing like they were hot, tired, and losing, all of which were true. Nobody made much effort except Jeff Francoeur who caught a nice diving ball in right field. They lost 12-3 to the Cardinals.

The next night it was time for me to play. I've been on Hollie's Grace Healthcare team in the Collegedale city league this summer. We had a doubleheader this night.

Lining up for prayer

I played left field the entire first game next to Jordan. This was much more fun than playing in the mud hole around first base or playing catcher in the second game - it had downpoured earlier in the day and the field was so goopy you had to be a ballerina to run the bases without a wipeout.

You can't tell but the shortstop Annette had a mud pit to contend with too.

Batting with Lisa on deck

This may give you some indication of the conditions we were playing in... MUCK and GLUE!