Some weekends stand out as ones that you’ll remember years into the future. I have to say, this weekend will most definitely be one of those for me.
I spent the weekend going down to Los Angeles to see a Dodger baseball game with Dad.
Although this isn’t the first baseball game I’ve seen with Dad, this was by far the most memorable.
My Dad is a huge baseball fan. He goes to Spring training, listens to games on the radio, and follows every Dodger game. It’s a minor obsession.
Over the years, we’ve gone to a few baseball games together. But never to Dodger Stadium to see “his Team” play on their home turf.
I grew up in Visalia, California and my parents still live there today. We’ve spent quite a few summer evenings at the local ballpark watching the Visalia Rawhide, who are the Advanced-A California League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
A few times, when my parents have come to visit us in Sacramento, we’ve also gone to a Sacramento River Cats game. They are the Triple A minor league team for the San Francisco Giants and their games are always a great time.
Side Note: Stadium Journey magazine has ranked Raley Field, the home of the River Cats, the fourth-best stadium in overall experience in minor-league baseball for 2015. It’s really a wonderful place to see a game if you are in the Sacramento area!
We’ve also been lucky enough to take in a couple of games at the Giant’s Stadium in San Francisco, especially when they play the L.A. Dodgers. Often this is in a big group with a great mix of Giant and Dodgers fans. It’s always a wonderful time and Giant’s stadium is absolutely beautiful.
But in the many years of going to baseball games, I’ve never gone with my Dad to Dodger Stadium to take in a game.
Until Saturday. And it was really something special.
It was even more wonderful than I thought it was going to be.
When we got to the stadium, my Dad seriously looked like a little kid. He was smiling from ear to ear as we walked pass old photos that lined the stadium walls. He’d stop now and again to explain the history behind certain ones, remembering the small details, as if it had just happened yesterday.
We walked around the stadium for a while to take pictures, and just take the whole ballpark in. And of course, we enjoyed some wonderful ballpark cuisine. He opted for the world famous Dodger Dog and a fries.
I went with the Dodger Veggie Dog, which was surprisingly good, but drew total confusion from my Dad when I tried to explain how a veggie dog could actually be tasty.
After a while, we made it to our seats. The game began and my Dad was in all his glory.
He seemed to hold his breath with every swing. He loved explaining some of finer points of the game, as I have a very basic understanding of baseball.
From learning what an ERA stands for, to what happens when a pitcher balks, I got a full education.
But the best part by far was just being with my Dad. Seeing him so happy, learning more about the game he loves, and being fully present and enjoying the day.
I’m lucky because I’ve always been close to my parents.
They are both kind and loving people that have always put me and my sister first.
At almost 70, they are both in good health and I feel very blessed. They are pretty active and regulars at the local gym. They’re retired and they enjoy their freedom by traveling, volunteering, and spending time with friends.
I don’t think I take them for granted, but I definitely just assume things will always be like this. I need gentle reminders that these moments are precious because they won’t last forever.
No matter what, I know I’ll always remember this game with my Dad. His smile, energy, and happiness are forever imprinted on my heart.
