Return to normalcy, at the ballpark

It still wasn’t quite normal. Masks were prevalent among the stadium staff. Proof of vaccination was demanded, as was Proper Identification for my two 15-year-old travelers (son James, friend Alex). They’re 15. They don’t have ID. They asked for their school IDs. Come on, man. Let us in, give us our bobbleheads, and let’s get on with it already. So yeah. Not quite normal. However, for this one night, the sounds and sights of a normal Major League Baseball game – last Friday, Citi Field, Padres vs. Mets – were a welcome relief.

What’s normal? Long lines for overpriced, unhealthy food! What’s normal? Belligerent, drunk fans (mostly young men, holding overpriced cans of otherwise cheap beer) screaming obscenities from Section 516 (closer to the clouds than to home plate). Nice. What’s normal? Asshole drivers in monster-sized SUVs in the parking lot deciding there is no decorum or order in the post-game ritual of squeezing thousands of cars into two lanes heading toward the Whitestone Bridge. Cut past 10 cars patiently waiting, into a spot where a subcompact could barely fit? Sure! What’s normal? Jacob deGrom pitching like the best pitcher in a generation, his teammates basically not hitting and (new for 2021!) his actually WINNING the game, mostly due to his OWN hitting! What’s normal? YouTube sensation Zach Hample snagging batting practice baseballs in front of idol-worshipping teenagers -- even posing for a picture with James! – and then nearly trampling some unassuming older guy who was just trying to enjoy a pregame IPA, as he went from centerfield to leftfield, in search of more baseballs that he certainly doesn’t need! Side note? Alex and James both got BP baseballs, so that was neat, too.

So yes, another step in our return to somewhat normalcy. You know what will feel really normal? When we return to campus for preseason on Wednesday, August 18, just a mere two months and a few days from today. Now, that will be truly neat.