I was at Dodger Stadium one summer evening with a good friend, my middle son and his best friend. My son was about to become a high school freshman and was deeply engaged in a text conversation with a girl he and his friend had recently met at a graduation party. At one point, they were consumed with the smartphone and confused, trying to decide what to ask her next.
“Can she cook?” I asked them
“Why does that matter?” My son inquired.
“Do you like stomachaches?” was my reply.
The four of us lost all track of the next several batters expanding on that humorous topic. I imagine thousands of people were stuck in Southern California traffic listening intently to Vin Scully describing the nuances of what was happening on the field. We were close enough for the players to hear us and could not care less what they were doing.
I love the atmosphere of a baseball park. Football games have more pomp, hockey more speed and violence, NBA basketball injects sensory overload even during time outs. Baseball provides a million details to focus on when you want to pay attention and a relaxed environment to enjoy three hours with family and friends that is bound to divert your attention.
I have been to several hundred baseball games in my lifetime. I remember a lot of what happened on the field, but much more about the people I was with and the things we talked about. In a day and age of distance and detachment, I’m happy to have a place to go that feels so humanly social.
Topical Index
Eating at Home
Parenting- Where It Can Lead
The Benefit of Parenting Costs
