Take me out to the ball game!

Went to a ball game last night over in Binghamton, NY. The Mets' AA farm team (the B-Mets) were playing the Red Sox affiliate Portland, ME Sea Dogs. Terry got tickets because one of her EGA (Embroiderer's Guild of America) contacts who owns a shop called Stitchery Row was a sponsor. For $6 each we got seats behind home plate, a hot dog and a small soda. Since the program included not just the game but a post-game fireworks show, that was a pretty good deal even for a two hour drive.

The gal from Stitchery Row had a table set up and we stopped by to chat. Terry had emailed a particular need and she picked it up and paid for it while we chatted. There were a few pieces of needlework on display as well as some magazines. Anyone interested could also get information about EGA and its activities.

Two of the pieces on display:





The ballpark is a simple affair, as to be expected for AA ball, but quite nice. The B-Mets are celebrating their 20th year in Binghamton--for which I have mixed feelings. Their previous home park was in Utica, NY just 25 miles from the Bolt Hole and I would have attended lots more games if they had stayed there. Alas, they moved a few years after I bought the Bolt Hole and before I actually had the time to attend those games.

As far as last night's game goes...well, it could have gone better. The B-Mets lost 5-2 after falling behind 5-0. The play was a bit spotty at times, but that is to be expected in AA ball where players are often still learning the game. I thought a few fly balls that were allowed to drop should have been caught. The pitchers for the B-Mets gave up two home runs and allowed another run to score on a wild pitch. The B-Mets' second baseman threw one ball way out of the reach of the first baseman on a sure out. (He may have had too much time to think about that one.)

And the Sea Dogs were not faultless either. They ran themselves out of more scoring when, with men on first and second, the hitter lashed a single to left only to run up the rear of the runner ahead of him. He was caught in a run down between first and second and eventually tagged out for the third out of the inning. (He wasn't helped by the slow poke in front who stood on second but should have made a break for third once the run down started.)

Still, it was good to get out and watch a game. Weird though, as Terry mentioned, not to have a play-by-play commentary going on. Forces you to really pay attention.

Top of the 5th and the Sea Dogs lead 5-0. Seats were pretty good!

There were 20-24 folks there as part of the Sit-and-Stitch promotion and Stitchery Row's owner welcomed them all. She even had little goody bags for most of the women who did, indeed sit and stitch, or knit, or crochet during the entire game. Only one other husband was in attendance (besides the Stitchery Row's husband, that is). A retired Navy Chief, he seemed to be enjoying the game. Certainly, he got the attention of one of the B-Mets mascots, Ballwinkle.

Ballwinkle makes the rounds.

Ballwinkle and kids of all ages.

I've no idea who the little kid is in this photo, but the guy to the left of Ballwinkle is the retired Navy man. The women seen here are part of the Sit-and-Stitch contingent. Terry would be right behind Ballwinkle and my seat was #22 visible in the upper right.