I’ve been a baseball fan my entire life. Growing up in Atlanta, I was a huge Atlanta Braves fan. I knew every single player on the team and watched every single game with my parents. I was even lucky enough to go to Braves camp during the summer when the players from the team would teach us how to play baseball.
It was such a treat for me to be able to experience it. I remember that one of the summers that I had a chance to go I found out I was going to meet my absolute favorite player, John Smoltz. I spent the entire night before camp making him a huge sign that said “Go Braves.” I colored out all of the letters and taped each paper together so carefully.
The next day I couldn’t wait to see him so that I could hand him my sign. I’d held the sign around all day until we finally got to his station where he would teach us how to pitch. As soon as the session was over, I ran up to him and tried to hand him the sign. “No autographs now, you have to wait until later.” is all he said to me. I looked at him and tried to explain that I didn’t want an autograph but just wanted to hand him the sign that I made for him. He took it and then quickly walked away. I was crushed. I did get his autograph later that day, but never looked at him the same after. The next year Chipper Jones joined the team and I had a new favorite player. 😉
Although I’m not a die hard fan like I used to be, I still love going to baseball games. We took Harlan to her first baseball game at Citi Field to watch the Mets play last year and she absolutely loved it. We expected our little two year-old to want to go home in the middle of the game, but she sat there entertained the entire time. I think that she’s found her love of the game just as I did when I was her age.
Last weekend we returned to Citi Field to watch the Mets play the Miami Marlins. I knew that Harlan would love it, but was nervous as to how the very active Avery would react to it. I think Avery is starting to feel the love too because she did so much better than I would have ever expected.
Citi Field has so much to offer children, that if either of the girls got tired of sitting and watching the game there were plenty of places to bring them. One of those places is called FanFest which is centered around this miniature baseball field that lets the kids play baseball from. This was Har’s first time at bat and she did amazing!
She even had a chance to practice her throwing skills at the dunk tank.
The man of the game was definitely Mr. Met. Har met him last year and hasn’t stopped talking about him since. She loves Mr. Met.
The stadium is absolutely gorgeous and so much fun to explore.
Our seats gave us the perfect view of the field and we were so excited to watch some baseball.
About halfway through the game Avery fell asleep in my lap. Watching all that baseball action can be exhausting. She slept for the rest of the game and I ended up waking her up at the end of the game when I jumped up out of my seat for the Mets pulling off the win in the 9th inning!
Mets win!! She was in a state of shock from being woken up so quickly, but was still pretty happy for the win.
One of my favorite parts of the entire experience was after the game for the Mr. Met Dash. Children line up outside of the stadium after the game for a chance to get on the field and run the bases. It was such a treat to be on the field that we just watched the Mets play on.
Harlan had a blast running the bases, but I think she got a little star struck when she reached Mr. Met. Watch these sequence of photos very carefully and you will understand.
He reached and she passed right by. Denied.
I think I can now say that these girls are following in my footsteps and finding the love for baseball.
Our day could not have been any better. It was the perfect ending to a great family weekend.
The Mets have a great game coming up that is perfect for families! Details are below.
{Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I am a Mets Ambassador and was given complimentary tickets. All thoughts and opinions are my own.}
