Enjoying our nation's pastime
By Staff
Kim West
I have always been an Atlanta Braves fan, so I was thrilled when my alma mater offered free tickets to any alumnus willing to make the trip to Turner Field for a game against the Florida Marlins, courtesy of the Atlanta alumni chapter.
It was an offer I couldn't pass up because even though I've seen the Braves play before, I've never seen them in action at home. I've also been curious to see Florida leftfielder Josh Willingham, who starred at North Alabama and is now helping the surprising Marlins track down a playoff berth.
I love watching football and basketball but there is something special about baseball, even though a lot of people call it boring. For one thing, ticket prices are much more reasonable at a Major League Baseball game than an NFL or NBA game. And the nature of the game allows you to sit back and relax. I compare the difference to driving and riding a bike.
I think baseball is a sport that's better appreciated in person, along with soccer and hockey. Turner Field, which was completed in 1996, is a great ballpark, even though the game I attended had sparse attendance.
I was impressed by the fan-friendliness of the venue, which had a bevy of smiling ushers, concession workers and even a roving photographer in the stands. To top it off, every fan coming through the gate received a blue floppy Braves hat, free of charge.
My favorite part of the game was the down time between innings. I had forgotten about the Tomahawk Chop, the Braves' signature rallying cry, until I heard the drums pounding and the fans chopping their right arms in unison with the beat.
I also enjoyed watching the reaction from fans when the JumboTron operator zoomed in on them. The big screen would show fans that were dancing to the stadium music, and as soon as they realized they were on camera, they would start bouncing up and down and shrieking like they just won the lottery.
The best moment was probably the humorous dance by a little bespectacled kid, who was trying to keep up with Usher's ubiquitous chart-topper, "Yeah!" I don't think he even noticed he was on the JumboTron because he was so caught up in his own frenetic performance.
The weather in Atlanta is usually steaming hot but thanks to an early-evening shower, the air was actually cool enough to wear a jacket. And to top it off, the Braves, who have earned a well-deserved reputation for losing close games, won 10-9 with a four-run ninth inning rally. I'm already looking forward to next year's alumni event.
