Get the feedLet Me Explain
Sunday, Sep 14th 2008
"Am I going to sit with you guys?" asked James, our seven year-old nephew.
With a set of four tickets in his hand, my husband John had just arrived at the ballpark with our sons Christopher (9) and William (6), "Papa" (his dad Jack), and James. It was a special night for the five rabid fans, not just because they were going to beautiful and historical Fenway Park and had great seats along the third base line, but because they also had a ballpark tour and would be allowed down on the field during batting practice - a cool and unique opportunity for any baseball fan.
The boys brought gloves, pens and baseballs in hopes of autographs from their hometown heroes. James was a last minute addition. John, wanting to include his nephew in the excitement, knew he'd be able to pick up a single ticket, get James through the gate and then have the crew sit together in the original four seats, with either William or James on a lap.
While John negotiated the extra ticket, James worried. He imagined he'd be left to find his single seat in the centerfield bleachers while the rest of his family ate peanuts and cracker jacks in the four seats on the third base line.
"James, let me explain..."
After hearing the real plan, James was noticeably relieved he wouldn't be purchasing a Fenway Frank by himself.
Times like these make you realize children can only interpret your words through their limited understanding of the world. It was not the first misinterpretation of the night.
"You're gonna be down on the field during batting practice - right there with all the players!" I had said to William as I collected raincoats and sweatshirts to prepare for the cool and rainy evening. I was excited for them.
I remembered the few games I attended in my youth at Veterans Stadium to watch the Phillies. Back then, all my seats were of the nosebleed variety (and I was thrilled with each one of them). The type of night the boys were anticipating was a million miles from my reality growing up.
William put on his baseball cap and said with glove in hand, "Where will I play?"
At first I wasn't sure what he meant, but then it dawned on me. For him being down on the field for batting practice meant shagging the fly balls of sluggers like David Ortiz, right alongside Red Sox outfielders Coco Crisp, JD Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury.
"William, let me explain..."
With a set of four tickets in his hand, my husband John had just arrived at the ballpark with our sons Christopher (9) and William (6), "Papa" (his dad Jack), and James. It was a special night for the five rabid fans, not just because they were going to beautiful and historical Fenway Park and had great seats along the third base line, but because they also had a ballpark tour and would be allowed down on the field during batting practice - a cool and unique opportunity for any baseball fan.
The boys brought gloves, pens and baseballs in hopes of autographs from their hometown heroes. James was a last minute addition. John, wanting to include his nephew in the excitement, knew he'd be able to pick up a single ticket, get James through the gate and then have the crew sit together in the original four seats, with either William or James on a lap.
While John negotiated the extra ticket, James worried. He imagined he'd be left to find his single seat in the centerfield bleachers while the rest of his family ate peanuts and cracker jacks in the four seats on the third base line.
"James, let me explain..."
After hearing the real plan, James was noticeably relieved he wouldn't be purchasing a Fenway Frank by himself.
Times like these make you realize children can only interpret your words through their limited understanding of the world. It was not the first misinterpretation of the night.
"You're gonna be down on the field during batting practice - right there with all the players!" I had said to William as I collected raincoats and sweatshirts to prepare for the cool and rainy evening. I was excited for them.I remembered the few games I attended in my youth at Veterans Stadium to watch the Phillies. Back then, all my seats were of the nosebleed variety (and I was thrilled with each one of them). The type of night the boys were anticipating was a million miles from my reality growing up.
William put on his baseball cap and said with glove in hand, "Where will I play?"
At first I wasn't sure what he meant, but then it dawned on me. For him being down on the field for batting practice meant shagging the fly balls of sluggers like David Ortiz, right alongside Red Sox outfielders Coco Crisp, JD Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury.
"William, let me explain..."
Jean Yih Kingston
Jean Kingston, who co-founded SixSeeds, spends many of her waking hours in her SUV hauling carloads of children to various and sundry playing fields across the state of Massachusetts. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
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