Pitchers and catchers reported for spring training this past weekend, marking the start of the most wonderful time of the year. There is nothing like spring training. There is such a different feel to it than the regular season, and for those of us who grew up watching baseball in a dome watching outdoor baseball is still a special treat. It is so laid back and personal. You can sit behind a chain link fence 10 feet away from the players practicing drills. If they are bored they might just walk up and start a conversation with you. Division rivals and the hated Yankees aren't quite so bad when the games don't count and they're all just a bunch of boys goofing off. If you want anyone's autograph, spring training is the time to get it. Same goes with pictures. And if you're a relatively attractive twenty-something, pictures and signings are even easier.
If you are a relatively attractive twenty-something who has a thing for players in baseball pants, spring training is an especially wonderful time of year.
Dean loves spring training even more than I do because he is a baseball fiend and being so close to the players and getting ALL his baseball cards autographed is a dream come true. Often I am enlisted to get autographs for him because, let's face it, I am a little better at getting the players' attention. In exchange for this service, Dean takes my picture with my favorite players, saying "May I please get a picture of you with my sister?" Dean is so good to me.
This a picture I got taken with Shannon Stewart last year.
I didn't take any pictures yesterday in Winter Haven because I'm not a big Indians fan. I just sat back in the grass reacquainting myself with the familiar sound of a ball hitting the catcher's mitt and soaking up the sun. I got a couple autographs for Deano who bought me lunch afterwards. I'll also let you in on a little secret. Dean has no idea just how much I love spring training. I sit there watching the players run around in their pants, once in awhile exchange winks with them, taking in the sun and stimulating my other senses with the sights, sounds and smells of baseball. When we are ready to go Dean tells me what a great girlfriend I am, going to training practices and games with him. Waiting patiently while he gawks at his favorite players and gets autographs with the other fans. I'm such a great girlfriend to help him with the autographs even though I get my picture taken in exchange. Then he says, "I promise, when spring training is over we'll have a weekend or two where we do what you wanna do." I cash it in with a couple of movies I want to see, dinners at my favorite restaurants when really, spring training is what a wanna do.
11 comments:
When is Dean going to clone for me so that I can date a guy who has to "drag" me to sporting events. :)
let's be a GOOD daughter this year and try to get a picture of your mom with johan santana. (i'd say joe mauer but that just makes me sound like a child molester) i'd take a picture with torri hunter too, if i have too...
p.s . sorry about the spelling error i do know the difference between too and to and am quite sensitive about it, i just got excited thinking about spring training!
That's sort of like a guy who pretends to be inept in the kitchen to be permanently banned. Pure genius!
lefty-
Add in the sunshine, awesome people watching (autograph geeks make for people watching on par with physics conferences) and a slight beer buzz and you're got yourself a regular snoozefest. ZZZZZ
rgfl-
I seem to rememebr Dean "dragging" you to an game or two. You don't want a Dean clone- you'd wind up with more kitties than me!
mom-
I'm disgusted and appalled. Not that you used the wrong "to" but that you misspelled Torii!!!
I'll do my best to get you your pic with Johann. I'll take l'il Joe this year. I don't care if it makes me sound like a child molester, he's legal (barely)... As for Torii, we can share him. My picture with him from three years ago is a little outdated.
Scott-
I'm glad somebody appreciates my evil feminine genius *wink*
I did get "dragged" to a couple games and I had a great time. I just can't keep borrowing your boyfriend all the time. You are right that I don't think I want an exact clone but lemme know if he has any cute friends.
The picture will never be outdated! I have it posted on my locker in the Fairview recovery room!!
I just finished reading an article about my boyfriend, Joe Mauer, and he is 22 - so legal :-) This is going to be his year - at least that is what they are telling us.
I'm quite jealous of your spring training stories. Sounds like a blast. I can't believe how mean Dean is to make you sit through such painful days. How ever do you make it to the end of the day! I'm looking forward to living through you as you post all sorts of fun pictures and stories in the next few weeks!
MB I am all over this eye candy of the players in their pants and tying their shoes but I'm courious about one thing. It's obvious Shannon's hand is on your shoulder but your's is..?
gram-
Have many a people "recovered" by looking at how hot Torii is?
dancingo4-
Now that you have that big rock on your finger, I'm not sure L'il Joe can be your boyfriend anymore. You better let me take over ;)
s-
Wouldn't you like to know...
WHAT BIG ROCK ON YOUR FINGER???!!!
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