Beautiful summer evening at the ballpark. Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan.
It should have been perfect. We had a parking pass and a short walk to an air-conditioned, bathroom-blessed suite. We have watched games on TV together and he always shows people the picture of he and Daddy at the Tigers game. It was an early evening game and the weather was absolute bliss. Both kids had a great day and took good naps. All four of us were decked out in our Tigers gear. The scenario for a family outing to Comerica Park could not have been better…
… but it didn’t matter.
For whatever reason, my son – who was so excited to be going to the Tigers game – wasn’t himself. He was irritable and didn’t enjoy watching the game. He did enjoy a piece of pizza and the computer in the suite. He wanted to watch “cookies” (Sesame Street) on the TV. He had a happy moment while the Tigers were rallying where he clapped wildly and gave everyone high-fives. I had hoped the majority of the evening would look like that, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Thankfully, Emmett’s “Nani” (Grandmother) was kind (and brave) and took him to see the ferris wheel and ride on the carousel. This undoubtedly was the highlight of the night for my son. That and riding in his uncle’s minivan, which we borrowed for the evening. Never mind the great view of the game and downtown Detroit. Never mind the gorgeous weather or the exciting game being played. He wanted pizza, a carousel ride and seclusion.
Obviously the game is quite a bit different live than on TV. Maybe the roar of the crowd or the music blaring through the P.A. system was too loud for him. Maybe the mass of humanity combined with new sights, sounds and smells overwhelmed him. Maybe my expectations were too great. Or maybe he just had an off day.
We left after the seventh inning and listened to the exciting comeback on the radio. It was clear the game was compelling and the crowd was going crazy. We didn’t get to see it. As a sports-junkie, there was a time I’d be incensed at having to miss the end of a game. But my boy was happy in the backseat of his uncle’s minivan, heading home. For me, that’s all that really matters anymore.
Who else has had less-than-successful family outings to big events?
How did you handle the situation?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Earlier this season I procured front-row seats on the third-base side to catch the Tigers and A’s and thought “Wow, this’ll be awesome! Front row!” Unfortunately for us, and my 4- and 6-year-old sons, front row seats for them in the lower deck meant a big fat horizontal railing at eye level. They spent the (hot) evening mostly on our laps, at least until people around us started filing out. Considering it was Friday night, there also was no chance of leaving early, thanks to the promise of fireworks. Nightmare. Miggy hit three dingers though, so we had that going for us, which is nice.
Nevertheless, when we first started going to Tiger games we’d watch the first inning at home then make the 30-minute trek to the park, and that was just so we could see the end of the game. Carlos Pena once hit a 9th-inning grand slam and we decided if we were gonna watch six innings, it would be the last six. That’s different now because we try to catch night games because the boys love them and will stay the whole game with much less complaint. Someday we’d like to get a suite. Maybe now with Miggy and the MudHens filling out the lineup card, availability will be more reasonable. At any rate, I ramble.
Thanks for the ramble Phenom, glad to know you’re reading along and this connected with you. Also, I LOVE the Caddy Shack reference, so you’ve got that going for you, which is nice. I like your end-of-game approach, see the part that matters most. Unfortunately my kids are younger, so we were already past their bedtime when we left in the 7th inning. I’m sure things will change as they get older, but for now I can only take what they allow. I highly recommend a suite with children, it makes a huge difference (or at least it should). We were lucky to have family and friends thoughtful enough to invite us, it’s the only way we’d try a game with two young children. Let’s hope Miggy keeps socking dingers, it’s our only chance. Plus, fans dig the long ball.
Great post, again! Last year I took Lanagan to the Wiggles at the Palace in a suite as well. I had visions of him dancing in the aisle, mimicking their dance moves just like he does at home when they are on TV. Instead, I could barely pry him off the couch in the suite. When he did come out he was more interested in chasing after the kids near him than even looking at the stage. Needless to say, we left early as well. Love your attitude at leaving early during a good game. It’s funny how our perspective on things completely changes once we have kids. Keep the great posts coming!
Thanks Elena, so happy to have you reading along. Even if Lanagan and Emmett both begin to enjoy live events, I’m still guessing when they say it’s time to go, we’ll listen! I couldn’t agree with you more about perspectives changing when you become a parent. The best part for me is that I feel my new perspectives have helped make me a better, stronger and happier person.
I took my (then) 5 year old daughter to a Michigan football game a few years ago, and while we were both excited about it, the day actually turned out pretty disappointing. Weaving through drunken, puking frat boys and sorority girls on the streets to get to the stadium, sitting behind two drunken middle-aged idiots, it was pretty disgusting. We ended up leaving at halftime – only to miss the biggest comeback in Michigan football history! We only learned about the outcome of the game when we stopped at a McDonald’s on the way home – the guy at the drivethru window told me. Michigan 27, Wisconsin 25, September 27, 2008.
Heh. I’ve been to two UM football games in my life – one that involved John Kolesar (#old) and that Michigan-Wisconsin game. My friend nearly left at halftime of that game as well, not because of drunken idiots, but because of the play of the guys in blue. Worked out pretty well that we stayed though. Best part – a friend came in from Wisconsin and wore his Brooks Bollinger jersey to the game. Too bad for him.
Only two UM football games? I’m guessing you’re not a huge Wolverine fan. John Kolesar is one of the first UM players I have strong memories of, enjoyed his tenacity. And yes, too bad for your buddy in a Bollinger jersey but those are the risks you take wearing a jersey to an away game!
Actually I am a big Wolverines fan. Not sure why I never go. Probably take for granted living somewhat close to the stadium. Then again, I’m a big Lions fan (really) and I’ve only ever been to two Lions games as well.
Thank you for your comment Patrick. What a shame you and your daughter had to be exposed to such drunken debauchery, especially since it meant you missed an amazing game. However, it sounds like you and your daughter were better off away from the idiots. And, if you’re like me you caught the highlights on SportsCenter! BTW, I’ve always considered the 2003 comeback in Minnesota to be Michigan’s “greatest” comeback, but I digress. Thanks for reading along and taking a moment to comment.