Hi Adelle, I thought you might enjoy hearing about my new identity- as a baseball fan! Technically, I have been involved in baseball for years: both of my children were catchers in elite ball, and; my husband was a coach and scout. For twelve years, every weekend during the official season I attended a baseball tournament in some city or other. As the dutiful and loving wife and mother, I was ever supportive: cheering in the rain, patching their injuries; cursing poor sportsmanship, and; washing smelly baseball socks in hotel laundry mats in the dead of night. Even today, with my children well into adulthood, my son coaches a rep team; my daughter plays on several adult softball teams; my husband is a rep pitching coach; and I still attend some games. But it has always been their passion, not mine. I was, and am, an artsy. To their chagrin I still occasionally refer to their uniforms as costumes and their practices as rehearsals.
But this all changed this past season and last Wednesday was the culminating event. This year, I decided to be an "insider." I worked hard at not watching, but belonging. I wanted to have a team . I learned the names of all of the Jays players and their positions. I learned about them as people, and watched specials about their lives and how many obstacles they had to overcome to get to wear a Jays cap. I picked a favourite player, Jose Bautista, and proudly wear his name and number on the back of my new T-shirt. I even wear a cap! Strangely, I feel akin to complete strangers who also wear Bautista garb. I quickly learned that I can cheer and sing, wave towels and even dance in the street after a game in Toronto, and it is smiled upon! As an artsy I would have willingly done this anytime, but my husband would not have necessarily smiled!
Last Wednesday I watched that amazing game at home with my husband and found myself on the edge of my seat. I waved a towel to support my pitchers; Stroman, Sanchez, and Osuna. I found myself yelling in protest in the 7th inning when Toronto catcher Russell Martin's return throw to the mound hit Choo's bat and Odor raced home. I shouted and danced when my man, Bautista, hit that remarkable home run.
Even as I read this over, I have to laugh. I actually know these players' names?! I am emotionally involved in people I don't even know. I can, and want to discuss the plays, highlights, and quirks of the game. It sure took me a long time, but I am enjoying it! I suspect I still may slip up and refer to practices as rehearsals, but that is okay. I am no longer just the artsy and the baseball mom and wife. I am a FAN, and tonight, I will be watching!
My husband and I on our way to a game with my new-found community.
Dancing in the street comes as no surprise. You always jump in with both feet, especially if there is research involved. Go Jays ;) Adele are you a fan of the game?
ReplyDeleteI am a fan too -- have been a baseball fan since my Dad and I watched the Yankees and Dodgers during my childhood in New York, and have been a Blue Jays fan since coming to Ontario in 1979. I enjoyed going to games with my son and his friends, especially in the early 90's. This year I too knew all the names, and was on the edge of my seat for all the playoff games...still a great team; no joy in Mudville last night -- but there is always next year, and they played with their hearts right to the end.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I am a Baseball "outsider" but this year I say very proudly I got to be a "band wagoner" and the gifts came in many shapes and sizes...from talking to people in the grocery store shoppers, cashiers and shelf stockers to cheering kids playing in the park and much to my son's annoyance... asking a perfect stranger at a restaurant to explain a decision on a play! It was great to feel part of the community. Agreeing with Ellen Still a great team... who played with their hearst right to the end... Hope for next year
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I am a Baseball "outsider" but this year I say very proudly I got to be a "band wagoner" and the gifts came in many shapes and sizes...from talking to people in the grocery store shoppers, cashiers and shelf stockers to cheering kids playing in the park and much to my son's annoyance... asking a perfect stranger at a restaurant to explain a decision on a play! It was great to feel part of the community. Agreeing with Ellen Still a great team... who played with their hearst right to the end... Hope for next year
ReplyDelete