It was opening day weekend, 2015, the last time I attended a Colorado Rockies baseball game. I loved going to Coors Field with my family or friends to see a game, have fresh squeezed lemonade and a hotdog. My daughter and I attended the 1998 MLB All Star Home Run Derby there. What a memorable day that was; watching Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Mark McGuire compete. Last week, I was singing “take me out to the ballgame” by myself at Coors Field and loving every minute.
Do you have something you used to love to do but hesitate to do it because you would have to go alone? Me too. I decided earlier this year I was going to a Rockies game by myself if I had to. So when I was offered free tickets as a volunteer for CASA, I snatched up two for a day game. As gameday approached I became anxious about where the tickets would be located and if anyone would want to go with me. It was going to be a 90+ degree day and I was afraid the seats would be in the scorching sun. I contacted the CASA office and told them if anyone there wanted the tickets they could have them. No one could go so the tickets were still mine.
The day before the game I went to the CASA office to retrieve the tickets and was pleasantly surprised the seats were under the stadium’s awning. I would be in the shade the entire afternoon game! I contacted two of my friends and my daughter and her husband who I thought might be available to attend. No one could go with me. So Thursday morning I went to coffee with some friends and then excitedly headed to Coors Field in Denver by myself.
A parking attendant, a nice older gentleman, suggested I park in the parking garage where I could park my car in the shade and be a little closer to the ballpark. He said I could catch the shuttle right there too but, wanting the full experience, I chose to walk. Since I had been to the ballpark many times, I knew right where to go. Stadium workers checked my bag and scanned my paper ticket. I was in!
I looked for the fresh squeezed lemonade stand, ordered a large for $6.50 and headed to my seat. Section U325, Seat 12. It was two rows from the top of the stadium, high above the first base line. Being so high up meant I also had a nice breeze. The seat was perfect and so was the view.
I enjoyed the game with several nice people sitting around me. The stadium wasn’t crowded, probably because it was a Thursday game and it was hot. The people who had seats in the sun moved up to where I was in the shade as the game progressed.
The seventh inning stretch began with the fans singing “Take me out to be ballgame.” I had forgotten about this wonderful tradition, but was more than happy to stand and sing along. I was relaxed, enjoying the game and the lemonade, even though the Rockies lost, “at the old ballgame!”
Now it’s your turn up to bat. What are you going to do that you used to love, even if you have to go alone? Tell us about it in the comment section below.