Opening Day!

JD's dad started a neat tradition by taking him every year to an opening day game baseball game. This is now a tradition for our family. Last year, we went to Opening Day for the Washington Nationals. We did not know the reason for all the major, major fussiness that our dear son was exhibiting but we later learned it was his first ear infection. He was miserable until he finally fell asleep on Daddy and we were able to be there for about 3 innings (though we never even made it to our seats - we just walked around.).

In our area, there are AAA baseball teams (minor leagues) and we took in Opening Day at the DBAP (Durham Balls Athletic Park). It's the same team as was portrayed in Bull Durham but it's the relatively new (and really nice) ballpark.

Our goal: make it to first pitch. The game started at 7:15 pm which is right around baby boy's bedtime (or at least bathtime). We were approached as we enter the park to have Jon David participate in their Stroller Derby after the 3rd inning. We laughed and told them, "Thanks, but we'll be happy to make it to first pitch." Plus - remember, we're working on going to one nap so the nights can quickly dissolve for us. We were just being realistic, maybe even jaded. ;)

We arrived with plenty of time for Jon to cruise the seats and take in some of the pre-game festivities. Of course, Daddy bought him a ball cap and a new baseball. We took in fantastic ball fare including my FAVORITE, cotton candy! When I tried to introduce my son to the wonderment that is cotton candy, he looked at me as if I were trying to feed him something incredibly nasty. See below. Too funny. Basically, he ate french fries. Who said that you need to eat healthy at a ballpark.

Icky Cotton Candy

Prior to the start of the game, there was a blessing which was really nice. I've never seen that before. There was a cool military parachute team that cascaded onto the field from high up in the sky. Then there was a moment of silence for two Durham Bulls employees who passed away in the off-season. Jon David was not sure what was going on and asked, "Ut oh????"

Then, this was a sort of funny parent moment... After the silence, there was the National Anthem. It's kind of a long song, I started to realize, and Jon David was taking it all in and looking around. I saw his lower lip start to protrude and then it began to quiver. I was thinking, "No way. Why in the world would he cry now?" Sure enough, he began to look heartbroken, as if his little world were crashing down. Seriously, this was no small sign of despair. Luckily, the song ended and we reassured him that all was well. Though not completely convinced, he regained composure.


Well, we exceed our goal and saw way more than the first pitch. Yep - we saw the first batter retire (for you non-sports folk, they got out) and even a pitch or two for the next guy. At that point, it was getting pretty cold, he was tired and full out crabby. We got home around 8:30 pm and enjoyed some ice cream after we put our tired boy to bed.


We have another Opening Day in our near future so stayed tuned. We also want to have Jon David go to the "Land of Milk and Honey" (aka, Grandma and Grandpa's) so that we can enjoy a date night and actually watch a game.

Jon David and his new bucket hat.

Opening Day Family Photo.

Notice Jon David's Texas flag socks.

Daddy, will you teach me how to throw a ball?

Play ball!!