I have been a Red Sox fan since I was a little girl, and as Dr. G. or any of my male friends will attest, I know my stuff. He and I have been to countless games together, both here in Boston and in a bunch of other cities on the East Coast, and we closely follow the team, whether it’s watching the game on TV or catching up on the post-game coverage.
So it’s not surprising that this love of baseball has trickled down to Buddy, who had a collection of Red Sox hats, T-shirts and a tiny teddy bear wearing a No. 34 jersey before he was even born. In fact, when I was pregnant with him, we jokingly referred to him as “Little Papi,” and he now calls his blue lovey “Papi bear.”
Since then, he has become quite the baseball fan himself. He asks to watch the games on TV and can actually follow along and understand most of what is happening. He’ll be the first to tell you his favorite player is Dustin Pedroia and that he is a proud member of Red Sox Kid Nation. He’ll ask us in the morning if the Red Sox won the night before.
Somehow, nearly two years had gone by since our last visit to Fenway Park, so we were all excited to venture into the city for a game last week — especially since we were given the opportunity to check out batting practice on the field before heading for an insider’s tour around the historic ballpark.
When we stepped onto the dirt, Buddy was in heaven. He immediately found Dustin Pedroia and just stood there and watched him. Mimi, on the other hand, could care less about the players, but quite enjoyed playing in the dirt on the field (where she also proceeded to spill a bunch of Goldfish crackers … oops!).
After the Red Sox took their batting practice, we went on our tour, which included the Red Sox Hall of Fame. Buddy couldn’t get over the old uniforms from the 1920s and 1930s they had framed in the hallway. (“Those are from olden days!” he told me).
However, the best part of the tour was – without question – the Green Monster. This was my first time up there and, well, now I see why people shell out hundreds of dollars to sit up there. What a view!
And that’s where things got a little scary.
Buddy and Mimi were trying out some of the Green Monster seats during the Padres’ batting practice, and before we knew it, a home run distance ball literally came within 10 inches of smacking Mimi square on the head.
I think Dr. G. and I were both in shock. A man nearby grabbed the ball and handed it to Buddy, who, at that point, couldn’t have cared less that his sister came thisclose to almost getting hurt because he got a souvenir.
Never a dull moment with these two.
We lingered up there for awhile before making our way over to our seats in the Grandstand. It was my first time sitting in this particular section and it worked out really well! Not only did we have aisle seats, but we were also two rows in front of one of the main walkways, which was perfect for Mimi, since she kept wanting to get up and walk around. Totally convenient.
Buddy, on the other hand, was completely engrossed in the game, cheering when the Red Sox got a hit or when one of the Padres struck out. It was adorable, and he suddenly looked like such a big kid.
We grabbed dinner during the first inning — chicken fingers for Mimi, hot dogs for Dr. G. and pizza for me and Buddy (who declared it was “the best pizza ever”) — and miraculously lasted all the way to the fifth inning, by which time Mimi was passed out in Dr. G’s arms and Buddy’s eyes were starting to glaze over.
We got home late, and it was rough getting up for work the next morning, but it was totally worth it to share such a memorable night with my kids. As one of my friends told me, this was an experience Buddy will probably remember for the rest of his life.
In addition to the regular season Red Sox games, there is a fun family event taking place at Fenway on Saturday, July 27!
It’s called “Futures at Fenway” and features some of tomorrow’s baseball stars, as the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs face off against the Harrisburg Senators (the Washington Nationals’ Double-A team).
Best part? Tickets start at only $5 (for bleacher seats) and only go up to $30 (which can get you Green Monster seats)!
Featured family-friendly entertainment includes:
• Post-game performance by chart-topping artists, the KIDZ BOP Kids, Billboard’s #1 Kids Artist of 2010, 2011 & 2012
• “Dog Day at Fenway” – For the first time ever, fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark (free of charge) and participate in canine-themed activities:
o Pre-game dog parade around the warning track
o Rest areas, water bowls and activities will be provided
o Photo station
• Family-friendly ticket & concession prices
Gates open at 11am and the game starts at noon. You can purchase tickets here or by calling 877-REDSOX-9. If you’re planning to bring your pooch, you must call the ticket line and bring a completed waiver form (available online) to the game.
We’re headed to New York City that weekend, otherwise we would have totally been there. If you go, drop me a line and let me know how it was!
Disclaimer: I received tickets to the Red Sox game and was provided access to batting practice and the tour, but I was not required to write a review. We just had a wonderful time!