At The Old Ball Game!

    The sun was shining brightly on the
 Ball field yesterday.
   The score was 3 to 1 with one inning
 left to play.
   Of course this wasn't "Mudville".
 twas no "Casey" at the bat.
   McKechnie was the stadium.
   And Bradentons where its at!
   Our vacation schedule took us to the
 game Monday to see Baltimore take on
 Pittsburgh at the Pirate's Grapefruit
 League home park!
   The stadium was just redone last year
 and now features seating that circles
 the field. Our new stadium for the
 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders should
 look very similar. Although I suspect
 our local park may have to do without
 the Palm trees!
   We wanted to take advantage of a
 special "two for one deal" on Grand
 Stand tickets.
   Only one slight problem. There were
 five of us. One person short of half
 price for a half dozen.
   Fortunately my sister in law was
 able to shed all inhibitions as she
 approached a gentleman standing in
 front of us and asked if he was there
 "all alone."
   After his jaw and eyebrows returned
 to their normal positions, she explained
 she was only trying to take advantage of
 the special ticket deal and he was more
 than willing to accept!
   Unfortunately there were no specials
 to be found at the concession stands
 where a bottle of soda was selling for
 a little more than a gallon of gas!
   The game was a good one although the
 home team quickly fell behind.
   We were entertained with an occasional
 foul ball hammered in our direction as
 well as by an over sized Pirate and his
 Parrot roamed through the stands to
 pose for pictures and surprise some
 spectators with a blast of water from
 their squirt guns.
   Our seats were just fine though
 inferior to the ones enjoyed by a nest
 of Ospreys perched on the Center Field
 Lighting tower.
   In the end the Pirates pulled off a
 win in the bottom of the ninth so our
 "root, root, rooting for the home team"
 apparently paid off!
   Our gang hopes to return again some day
when  there's a two for one admission deal, a
 gentleman waiting in line by himself, and 
 I can save up for a soda!
   Hope the Boys of Summer will be playing
 at home soon, and that all your NEWS is good.