Take Me Out to the Ballgame

There is a slight dilemma among baseball fans here in southwestern Connecticut.
In addition to the national controversies over steroid use, debates over whether Pete Rose should be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and whether old time stadiums like Fenway, Yankee and Shea should be pushed aside for newer models, Connecticut residents must also decide which team to cheer for.

Connecticut is historically considered New England, so some people choose New England's Boston Red Sox. But life can be difficult for Sox fans living here in the southern part of the state. Since we're so close to New York City, southwestern Connecticut is also filled with Yankees and Mets fans. So between the arguments and squabbles among them, actually seeing the Red Sox in action can be a challenge. The drive to Shea or Yankee stadium can be done in about an hour, or you can take Metro North Railroad. If you want to visit Fenway, expect at least a three hour drive.

I was first turned on to this struggle a couple of years ago when a man living in New Canaan told me it bugs him that there aren't more Red Sox Fans in his part of New England. For research on my piece, I took a trip out to a Red Sox - Yankee game at Fenway. I spoke with movie director Spike Lee out on the field. When I asked him on camera which team people from Connecticut should root for, even though he was decked out in Yankees gear, he said traditionally people from Connecticut consider themselves New Englanders so they are Red Sox fans. But then I asked about the southern part of the state, like New Canaan and Fairfield and Stamford. He thought for just a second and said, "I think it really depends on who your parents are, because parents indoctrinate their children." I found proof of his theory at the game. Amazingly, I found a Red Sox family of three generations, and they just so happened to be from New Canaan! The group consisted of a grandfather, his son and his two daughters. The grandfather had taken his son to games, and now the son was sharing the favor with his daughters.

Even this year while covering the Mets' home opener, I met Connecticut resident after Connecticut resident who grew up going to the games. I also found a group here consisting of three generations of Mets fans. So parents, if you want your children to cheer for your team instead of against it, take them to the stadium! Even though it’s expensive to attend sporting events, the tickets, the hot dogs the cold beverages and the Cracker Jacks, baseball is one of the more affordable sporting events ticketwise. You can get Yankee tickets for as little as five dollars if you don't mind sitting in the bleacher section where alcohol isn't served.

Check out the picture of my seats at Yankee stadium. I wasn't trying to save money, it was a Yankees - Mets game and it was the best I could get. However, the picture I was taking is of the vendor. I know it’s difficult to tell, but he is selling a box of Crunch 'n Munch. Remember back in June of 2004 when the Yanks decided to sell Crunch 'n Munch instead of Cracker Jacks? Of course fan outcry led to the return of the original within a month. Tastewise Munch might have been okay, but it just didn't sound right. I mean, along with the "beer here" chants, I was also hearing "Crunch 'n Munch." It just didn't work. I'm upset, though. I had a better picture of him posing with a box so you could read the lettering on it, but I can't find that one.

I became interested in baseball while covering the 1999 and 2000 induction weekends out at The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. I was working for an NBC affiliate in upstate New York. One of the controversies I dealt with then continues today. Should Pete Rose be inducted? Well, regardless what they decide, his name is everywhere in the hall. As you walk in, stats and records are posted. All over the wall you see P. Rose., P. Rose., P. Rose. He just doesn't have a plaque. However, there is a small independent museum down the street from the Hall dedicated just to him. The Pete Rose Museum. Oh, Cooperstown! If you get a weekend take the kids to the Hall. Glimmerglass Opera - lake Otsego - coined "Glimmerglass" in James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales, the Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown Brewing Company, Danny's Deli on Main Street where you have to try the "Chicken Dilemma." If you can't afford the glorious Otesaga with its lake view and renowned golf course, stay at one of the many bed and breakfasts.

Even though I can't say I'm a huge fan of any team in particular, I enjoy going to the games and visiting stadiums across the country. Even if you aren't a Yankee fan, even if you hate the Bombers, I can't imagine not wanting to attend a game at Yankee stadium at least once. See them play your favorite team. It seems that with the approval of a new stadium in the Bronx, you might want to go while you still can.

I feel privileged.  Growing up in Houston I was always at events at the 8th Wonder of the World, The Astrodome. See, I've been cheering for The Astros for more than 30 years. It was not just a jump on the bandwagon decision in 2005. Besides, the Astros came close to making it to the World Series in 1980. Game five against the Phillies’ 2-0 lead. But an Astro triple play was overruled in the 8th inning, allowing THAT GUY PETE ROSE to steal the show. What a player.

Speaking of The Phillies, I made it out to Veterans Park for a game against the Mets before Citizens Bank Park was built. I was a regular at the The Ballpark in Arlington when I worked in Dallas, and once in Denver I walked by Coors Field trying to find a restaurant.
But this summer, between hotdogs out at Shea and Yankee stadiums - one of the two doesn't have relish- I can't remember which - I will be spending time at one of my other favorite ballparks, Harbor Yard. The Bridgeport Bluefish play their home opener against the Long Island Ducks May 3rd at 7:05 pm. See you there!