The One With the Red Sox Game

 

 It is 11:08 PM and 15 minutes ago we got in from a Red Sox game. Although the Red Sox lost to the Rays 8-4, the game was perhaps the best I have been to for many reasons.

 

1. We realized if we left at 3:15 for a 7:10 game, we had plenty of time to get in. Traffic, though a little tough because of Rush Hour, was awesome! We were able to get through Kenmore Square rather easily and found a parking lot just past (and down in the back left) of where we normally park. So much easier to get out of.

2. We went to Cask and Flagon. It was the first time we had been there as a family. It was not too crowded when we got there (about 2 1/2 hours before the game, but was picking up by the time we left).

3. Emmie was very excited because this was PEANUTS Bobblehead Night. We were able to track down where to get them - which was cool - and now we all have a Linus Bobblehead.

4. We also learned that Emmie has to check prices on Red Sox apparel more carefully. WOW!!!

3. We took some pictures of different World Series tributes, including the tribute wall and the 2007 and 2004 championship. We choose 2007 because that was the year Bri was born and 2004 because that was the year we were married.

5. We got to our seats early and were able to see pregame festivities and even saw a 10 year old girl do an AMAZING job with the National Anthem.

6. The flag was blowing out - which meant it was going to be a hitter's game. We saw the Red Sox fall down 3-0 early, but they came back by hitting 2 home runs to tie the game. It was awesome to see two homers, one hit by Xander Bogearts and the other hit by Trevor Story.

7. We saw two spectacular catches on the wall, one by the Rays and one by the Sox (we saw the Sox one while getting ready to leave on the TV).

8. We saw a great stolen base by Jarren Duran.

10. The crowd did the wave in two directions and it actually went all the way around the park in one direction crossing over once.

11. One kid kept saying "I want a pitcher, not a belly itcher" which was hilarious. That kid will have no voice in the morning.

12. We saw people get kicked out of a section for drinking alcohol (we ended up in the CVS family section, which, apparently, has strict rules about that).

13. We saw Nick Pivetta hit Yandy Diaz with a pitch, which caused a quick shouting match and benches started to empty. It quickly got under control. However, the ensuing booing that happened introduced Kiff to booing at Fenway Park. The home plate umpire also got booed during the game for a really faulty strike zone. It stunk!!!

14. There was an awesome tribute to Luis Tiant - who was also there. We sent a pix to Mark because it was his birthday and also had Bri and Kiff look at his wind up.

15. We saw a marriage proposal on the Jumbotron, which I have never seen in person.

16. We did have rain fall several times throughout the course of the game.

17. Perhaps the most epic thing - of a great night at the park - was the fact that the ushers asked us if we wanted to move closer around the 6th inning. Though we had thought we would take off because of the approaching rain, we decided to go down and it did not disappoint. We were on the 3rd place side behind home plate, thirteen rows up...the best seats I ever sat in. It was amazing.

The One Where We Review June

June was a busy month. As the Carousel song said, it was busting out all over. Here's the wildness that the month brought us this year.

My school trips including Museum of Science and Field Day
Emmie school wrap ups.
Kiff's concert at school
Bri's work share day
Kiff's short playoff run for baseball
Bri's longer playoff run for softball
Kiff's superbowl win in flag football
Father's Day Brunch (yum)
Uncle Eric's party
Katie and Anna's recital
Visit to Cape (that included...)
  Mon June 24: Smuggler's Beach and BBW restaurant 
  Tue  June 25: Windmill Beach visit, Secret Life Pets 2, Toly's pizza with Uncle Mark, Aunt Carol, 
                         Trish
  Wed June 26: Go Karts, Katie's Seafood (first time there), Picnic at Stony Brook Grist Mill, Duck
                         Tour, supper at Dockside (first time there, too)
   Thu June 27: Go Carts, Trampoline, Lunch at Lanyards

NKOTB (Fri June 28)
Library Book Sale (Sat June 29)

Phew....what a busy month!

The One With Four Games in One Day and a Superbowl Win

Today, was quite a day. It was the day that we had an epic series of events. It started with the Brown Family recital, which we left for at 11:30.

After that, we had a marathon race that included the following:

3:00 Kiff had a playoff game, where, unfortunately, the Reds suffered a 10-1 loss.

6:00 Bri had a playoff game against the best team. Her team, young, with only two wins, won 20 - 6.

7:15 We had to split shift so Kiff could go to flag football for a playoff game. His team one game one in a nailbiter 34 to 30.

8:15 Following that game Kiff ended up in the Superbowl. His team won the game. It was his fourth superbowl visit and second win!

An amazing day. We topped it off by going to the Roadhouse for supper. It is now exactly 12 hours since we began the day (11:30 PM). Wow!

The One With A Summer Baseball

One of the highlights of this summer has been Kiff playing summer baseball. It has been a blast.

At first, we were not too sure if he would be able to do it. But when he was asked - and our plans changed - we were able to make it work.

It was a great way to represent the town...and have fun at the same time.

Sure, we were the B team...and we routinely played A teams. And yes, it could be tough. But, the team was a great group of kids...and they always seemed to have fun.

I was able to help out as well...which was also fun.

It was a great opportunity...and a great way to have fun as well. Definitely a big memory. 


 

The One With The Black Eye

Every now and then you have a memorable moment in sports.

For Kiff, that day was yesterday. He was playing summer baseball when he took a baseball off the face.

Right below his eye.

Fortunately, it was during fielding practice between innings. But, the result was nonetheless painful. He got an instant black eye - always tough - and a headache to boot (which left quickly).

As a result we took our annual pilgrimage to the emergency room. Luckily, there was no concussion....but a unique memory....and a great black eye. It's a doozey.

The One With a Hundred Games in One Week

Okay, that was an exaggeration, but this was one busy week.

We essentially had a game or practice just about every day.

Sunday - Kiff had an instant classic flag football day. He had two flags, drew two penalties, and had seven hurries that led to two interceptions.

Monday and Tuesday - Bri and Kiff had rainouts.

Wednesday - Bri had a game. They lost, but she was solid at catcher.

Thursday - Bri and Kiff had a game. Kiff's team beat the Diamonbacks for the first time this year. Kiff helped turn a double play, which is rare in the league.

Friday - Kiff's team had a solid game, winning 8 - 6. Kiff caught.

Saturday - today wrapped up the crazy week with Kiff losing and  Bri's team came from behind to win.

Whooooo! What a week.

The One With Baseball and Softball Parade Day

It finally arrived...
The opening day of baseball. Earlier today.

It was a fabulous start. It was a little rough around the edges because Kiff was not feeling well today (it turns out he has pneumonia) and the fact Bri had a birthday party to go to. 

However, we definitely made it work all around. The parade itself went well. Bri then had a practice. Overall, it was pretty good...but she does have to work on batting.

Then, we had our first game as the Rockies. Not so bad...we pulled out a 4 - 1 win.

Overall, not a bad opening day.

The One With Opening Day

Today was opening day for the Danvers Baseball and Softball season. Today, Bri and Kiff took part in the parade for their respective teams.  It was a lot of fun.

The parade stepped off at 10:00, but things started at 9:30. We marched through town, with Bri going with the Ducks to Great Oak and Kiff going with the Cobras to Tapley.

After that, Kiff and our team had a game at 12:00 at highlands. It was quite impressive. In fact, we were able to play three innings. Our team is pretty solid and stacked.

Can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings

The One Where Kiff Pitches

Last night, we had a first in our family....

June 17, 2016 was Kiff's pitching debut in a baseball game. Now, it didn't start off in that direction, because we were looking for pitchers. Kiff had volunteered to be catcher, but we realized a lot of people had already pitched and we needed someone new.

Enter, Kiff.

Luckily, he was batting second, so we could get him to warm up pretty quickly once he rounded the bases. That worked out well.

Once we got started, he did well. His first few pitches were WAY OUT there...but after he settled down, kids made contact on all his pitches...which is what we want.

In the end, he did great!

The One With The Busy Day

Wow...
Yesterday was busy.
Very busy.
Bri had a dance competition in NH that last several hours
They earned two silvers for their dances.

Meanwhile, here, Kiff had a baseball parade
Followed by 20 minutes for lunch
And a baseball game
Which went well
We then at at Chucks for a early supper, late lunch

Followed by a car ride late a night.

Wow! What a busy time of year.

The One With Opening Day

Ahhh, at last it has arrived. The beginning of yet another sports year. And with it comes opening day, complete with parade and all sorts of fun. It is only 8:47 in the morning....but in a little more than 90 minutes, the season officially begins.

Here is to another good year.

Go Wildcats

Go Knights.