2022

Baseball has entered a new level of importance in my life, let's call it what it is, a lower one.... It's almost Nostalgic at this point ass opposed to the passion it once was. Call it age, call it family, I don't know, but I'm sitting here staring the 2024 MLB season in the face and realize I haven't cataloged 2022? That's just bush league. Luckily my phone has my back. Here is what I got for 2022 baseball. 

1. Vinny's Kindergarten had an outing to a very cold game in April which was kind of a trick, maybe it was cheap or something but this was NOT a day you want to spend at the park. Very wintery conditions, hand warmers, coats, hats, gloves, the nine. We sat in our seats for only moments. Then retreated to the old 'Captain's Deck' with a couple of kids from his class. It was a nice time down there cause they could run around and burn calories. No idea who they played or who won. We DEFINATELY left early. Remember paying something unworldly like $17 for a beer after tip. Enter the new world I suppose....

2.  St. Paul Saints game in June as a fairwell to two good friends relocating out of MN. Excellent intimate stadium that I really recommend. Super fun Summer night with old friends. The kind of night that doesn't come around much anymore and I was very grateful for this. Not really the place or time, but the candy really did a number on me socially and it was hard getting back into the swing of being a member of outings and social events again. I can recall this one being one game as a stepping stone for feeling normal again. 

Saints went up like 7 runs in the first inning and it was never a game, which was great as it freed everyone up to catch up and chat. One of the underrated parts of baseball I think, its ability to be passive entertain as much as active entertainment. It can be the back drop or the focus of your attention. 

3. Boyz Day Baseball - One sunny/hot/late Summer afternoon Mom needed a break so I saddled up the Boyz and did a spur of the moment trip to Target field for our 2nd and final MLB game of 2022. Again, did NOT capture who played (getting sloppy), but it was the first time I'd taken the boys and they weren't BABIES, they were KIDS. We had fun, messed around, got all kinds of snacks. Really enjoyed this one as a dad. Want my kids to like/love baseball like I have. Want them to see the ballpark as a fun place to be with friends and family. We stayed for about 6 innings and bounced. Strategically not making the stay and get bored because I was hoping the good vibes, grow good memories, and baseball is happy place for them like it is for me. The photo of the the kids here I thought was a perfect depiction of their personalities at this time in their lives. I could break this down, but I'm just going to leave it at that. They are my favorites.