Earlier this year I decided I would try to get my girls to love baseball by taking them to a minor league game. The season is half way over, so I wanted to give an update of how it has gone so far.
Here is what has happened since the first game we have attended this year:
1. We have seen nine different minor league teams play. (Potomac Nationals, Salem Red Sox, Wilmington Blue Rocks, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Frederick Keys, Savannah Sand Gnats, Richmond Flying Squirrels , Reading Fightin Phils, and Rome Braves)
2. We have plans to see at least two more by the end of the month. (Winston Salem Dash and Portland Sea Dogs)
3. My girls have amassed over 30 game balls and BP balls. (Six at one game is the record)
4. My girls have collected over 100 combined autographs. (17 signatures from the Wilmington Blue Rocks is the record for one game)
4. My girls have collected over 100 combined autographs. (17 signatures from the Wilmington Blue Rocks is the record for one game)
5. My girls now collect baseballs from all the different minor leagues. (Have 11 so far and a minor league practice ball)
6. My girls now collect baseball cards.
7. We have collected two game used jerseys of their favorite player, Garin Cecchini. (Lowell Spinners BP and USA 18U)
8. We have six game used bats. (Bought five at team stores and got one after a game – besides Garin’s jerseys these are the biggest hit with my daughters)
9. My youngest got to run the bases in the 3rd inning of a Savannah Sand Gnats game and got a Frank Viola bobblehead for her efforts.
10. My girls got to meet a World Series MVP and Cy Young Award winner who gave and signed baseballs for them. (Frank Viola)
11. My girls got to meet a Super Bowl winning QB and get his autograph. (Joe Theisman)
12. I bought my girls Red Sox jerseys because they have fallen in love with the Salem Red Sox. (Thanks to Garin Cecchini, Blake Swihart, and Keury De La Cruz)
13. My girls got to go on to the field and high five the Richmond Flying Squirrels as they were announced.
14. My daughters have started to overcome their shyness simply from asking players for their autograph. (Very unexpected benefit of all this.)
15. We got to play catch on the field of the Richmond Flying Squirrels... on Father’s Day none the less.
16. My girls started a blog about their experiences (girlscollectingbaseball.blogspot.com)
17. We have made countless memories that will last a lifetime.
If you have access to minor league baseball and you aren’t going then you are missing out.
