Uncategorized – Take Me Out To The Ballpark

Ballpark Memory, Mac's McFarlanes, Uncategorized

2015 All Star Game Part 4 – Fan Fest

September 22, 2015

Fan Fest, Saturday and Sunday (July 11-12)

Sure, attending the HR Derby and the ASG were the primary focus of the trip. However, we were also eagerly anticipating the MLB Fan Fest being held at the Duke Energy Convention Center. It is the greatest collection of memorabilia, souvenirs, cards and baseball activities located anywhere. Let’s just say that Mac was ready for this part of the trip. Our plan was to get up early on Sunday and spend the entire day there. However, Saturday morning, Mac asked if we could go on Saturday as well.

Absolutely. What is better than a day at Fan Fest? Two days!

After running a 5K and walking two additional miles, we were ready to head over to Fan Fest. The event was held at the Duke Energy Convention Center which was about a 15 minute walk from the house. We ended up spending the entire Saturday afternoon there, then we got up the next morning and went back for a few more hours. The following summary combines both days so these are not necessarily in chronological order.

Here we are at the main entrance which featured a large image of Paul Goldschmidt above the door.

Priority Number 1

Ever since Mac learned about this trip to Cincinnati, he has been focused on one specific souvenir. An authentic Paul Goldschmidt National League jersey. This is serious business. Mac counts down the days every year until ASG uniforms and hats are unveiled. This is a big deal in our household. Upon entering the building, we went straight to the Majestic Jersey store. It is a great set-up. The jerseys are embroidered to-order on the spot. On a slower day like this, Mac had his jersey in about 30 minutes.

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2015 All Star Game Part 3 – Louisville Slugger Museum

September 15, 2015

Our day at the Louisville Slugger Museum

After spending the weekend at Fan Fest in Cincinnati, we hopped in the car for the 80 mile drive south to Louisville, Kentucky. We wanted to check out the museum before heading back to town for that night’s Home Run Derby.

Once we made it to downtown, it was pretty easy to spot the museum.

The museum actually functions as the factory for the manufacturing of all Slugger bats. The tour takes you through the factory as the bats are made. Because of the equipment being used, OSHA regulations prohibited any photos in the factory. One neat feature was that they were making special bats for players in the next day’s All Star Game.

There were still a lot of other things to check out after completing the tour.

Main Exhibit Hall

Ballpark Memory, Uncategorized

2015 All Star Game Part 2 – Home Run Derby

September 15, 2015

Welcome to the 2015 Home Run Derby!

Home Run Derby has become a very anticipated event every year. This year with some new rule changes, the event promised to be even better. Of course, there was an extra sense of anticipation due to the presence of hometown hero, Todd Frazier. That afternoon brought huge thunderstorms to the area, but the worst rain just missed downtown. With electricity in the air, we headed down to the ballpark.

My favorite building from the week.

Hey look it is two-time MVP Joe Morgan!

The park was packed and ready for the fireworks sure to come.

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2015 All Star Game Part 1 – MLB Parade

September 4, 2015

One the great traditions of All Star Week is the All Star Parade. It is held early in the afternoon of the ASG. The parade begins at the hotel for the players and takes them to the ballpark for the game. It is a really fun way to see all the players up close prior to the big game. People begin lining up a couple of hours prior to the parade start, but we were able to find a nice spot about 40 minutes before the first truck.

So what do you do when you arrive early to the parade? Why, you read books about presidents and hold your newly purchased Starting Line-Up figures.

Figures of choice for the parade: Cal Ripken, Jr. and Barry Bonds.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Ballpark Memory, Bobble Head Collection, Uncategorized

Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros (Minute Maid Park)

August 21, 2015

When: July 27, 2012

Box Score: Pirates – Astros July 27, 2012

Who: Mac, Gramps, Grams and Me

Why This Game?

This was all about extending a family tradition. As I wrote previously, going to a game with my dad was a big deal for me as a kid. Now that my son was getting older, I wanted to share that experience with the three of us. My dad (Gramps) and his wife (Grams) lived in San Antonio so I thought we could meet in Houston for a game. Something in my head was telling me that this was a good time to do the trip. Little did I know at the time, that this trip would turn out to be our last chance to go to a game together.

The Trip

This was going to be a quick journey. Mac and I would fly in to Houston on Friday afternoon and meet Gramps and Grams at hotel in downtown. Game would be Saturday night with us leaving later Sunday afternoon. While the game was randomly chosen, we ended up choosing wisely. First, we would have the chance to meet up with a friend at the ballpark and watch batting practice. Second, it was a bobble head day. Third, one of Mac’s favorite players had recently joined the Astros from the Diamondbacks. Finally, it was also Faith & Family Night featuring a post-game concert by one of our favorite bands, Mercy Me. Yep, not a bad game.

Batting Practice & Meeting a Baseball Hero

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Great Moments in Bobble Heads: Patrick Corbin

July 20, 2015

What: Patrick Corbin Bobble Head Promotion

When: April 26, 2014

Where: Chase Field

This was a fun one for Mac and me. Patrick Corbin was coming off of an All-Star Season in 2013, but suffered an injury during Spring Training. He was not going to pitch at all during 2014. How was that good for us? Well, this meant Corbin spent a great deal of time signing for fans prior to the game. He even was present when the gates opened to hand out the bobble head to fans.

After getting our bobble head, we headed down to the third base line to see if Mac could get Corbin to sign a ball. Mac prefers the autographed ball over the signed bobble head. Can’t see the signature as well, plus the potential risk of damaging the item while at the game.

How many Patrick Corbins are in this picture?

Handing Mac back his ball.

We were in luck. Corbin was signing! Mac found a spot and waited his turn. It was great. Bobble head and autograph – not a bad day!

Bobble Head. Check. Autograph. Check.

Ballpark Memory, Uncategorized

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park)

July 4, 2015

Joey Bats talking with Mike Cameron before the game

When: April 17, 2011

Box Score: Blue Jays – Red Sox April 17

Who: Amanda, Mac and Me

Why: We headed out to Boston as I prepared to run the 2011 Boston Marathon. It was my third time running, but the first time Mac was able to travel with us to the race. We had a big Patriots Day Weekend planned. Some sight seeing, dinner with friends on Saturday night, Race Day and a Red Sox game.

This was building to be an emotional trip. First, the excitement of seeing Fenway Park was a quite exciting. Second, the reason I run Boston is raise funds and awareness for Hydrocephalus research as part of Tedy’s Team. Led by a friend from Tucson, this group gives me the chance to help my son and run a lot. I had run many times in Mac’s name, but this would be the first time he would be at one of these races.

The Set Up

Thanks to our awesome friends Anne Marie and Margaret, we were able to obtain great seats right behind First Base. Also through the kindness of our friends, they arranged a private tour of Fenway before the Sunday afternoon game. We met our tour guide, Sarah Applewhite, in the VIP area of Fenway. To say that Sarah was kind and informative, would be an understatement. Her and Mac hit it off immediately. Sarah took us out to the field where the visiting Blue Jays were taking batting practice. Mac ended up with a ball given to him by Jose Bautista. Not bad. Seeing these ball players up close was amazing.

Thank you Blue Jays

Got it!

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Now Batting

June 14, 2015

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Ice Cream Helmets in 32 Degree Temperatures!

Welcome to my site!

Camden Park April 2014

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