Temperatures had climbed close to 90 as we filed into the PGE Stadium last night. Fried onions, cold beer, and salted popcorn beckoned to us from the concession stand as we sorted out our seats down on the field pen for special sponsors and events. Jaime's good friend Jeff had invited us with his wife and coworkers. It was a perfect evening as conversations flowed and balls sailed over head. The all star teams had several exciting moments. IL won 6-5 to the PCL, with the bottom of the ninth providing the most excitement as PCL hit a home run and gave hope of closing the point spread.
It had been years since I had been to a game. I had actually forgotten how many innings were played in a game, brilliant! Sitting and watching the crowds, and the little league player next to us who caught a ball and gave it to his little brother, brought back so much of what is rich about American values. As the national anthem was sung, and the fighter jets crossed over the stadium, it was hard not to get choked up. Thank God there were no marching bands or I might have cried!
The simplicity of coming together for a great evening of friends and baseball pretty much says it all about what is most important about our culture: family, friends, fun, easy food, clean competition, and unity. Of course this is an idyllic image of the evening. Having been away from the game long enough to forget some of the rules, I have no idea about the politics behind the scenes, but I can tell you that last night was right out of the Norman Rockwell Americana paintings for this spectator! Thanks Jeff!
Photo from KATU.
~ Come Gather Around The Table!
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