Take me out to the ball game!

What's a better way to kick off the unofficial start to summer than a Red Sox game? The weather may have been muggy, but inside the park it was cool, breezy, and the atmosphere was ready for some good old American baseball.

 Jon Lester was pitching for the Sox, I thought it was pretty awesome since the last game I went to, on Labor day was also pitched by Lester. I hoped it was a sign. Sign or no sign - he's a great pitcher.

We had standing room only tickets (that is what you get for buying tickets for the Memorial Day game 10 days before the game!). So when we arrived we headed down to the third base line to watch batting practice. We hung out there until we got kicked out leading up to the opening ceremonies. 

 It was really special to be there on Memorial Day. The Sox really honored our fallen soldiers and veterans and those currently serving.  They introduced each member of the Sox organization who once served for the US, each was welcomed with a roar of applause. Then after a brief moment of silence, in which the ball park was so silent a dropped pin could have been heard (they even turned off all the big screens), a massive flag dropped over the Green Monster and a beautiful version of the national anthem was sung.

 A 94 year old World War 2 veteren who was a POW at one point during the war threw out the first pitch. I hope I can throw a ball as well as he did when I am 94!

Then it was time to play ball! Lester had a bit of a slow start, he struck out the first batter, and then let two runs in. But, anything can happen in baseball!

 The Sox came up to the plate and showed the White Sox whose boss, they scored one run in the bottom of the first, and then scored two in the bottom of the third. The crowd went nuts when Jacoby Ellsbury smashed in a two run RBI. Well, the crowd went wild every time a ball went flying out towards the bleacher section, Boston fans are super cool like that.

Of course there were the usual sites and sounds at the ball park. Take note of the "Foul Balls And Bats Hurt" sign, it is important later. I saw a very original way to store your camera during the game, in a cup holder, and we saw a man propose to his girlfriend! She said yes, and once again the crowd went wild!

By the time night fell, so were the Sox. In the top of the 6th the White Sox scored 4 runs and after two pitching changes the Sox held them at bay, but sadly weren't able to tie it up or score the go ahead runs. 

 There was some excitement though in the 7th inning. I went to get Emily and myself some ice cream since no game is complete without ice cream in a souvenir red sox cap. I came back to our awesome seats* (which we didn't pay for, but look at that view!) and Emily looks at me and goes, "you would have died." I thought I may have missed a play or something.
*we paid 20 dollars for standing room "seats" and were sitting in seats that cost 99 dollars each!

Nope. This ball. Being held by the nice guy sitting behind me, came flying (the pitch was 93 mph) to my seat. It smashed into the top of the chair, where minutes before my body had been. Folks, ice cream SAVES LIVES! We all examined the ball and I counted my blessings. That smudge on the ball is from the bat, talk about force.

In the end the Sox lost, but the game was super fun. We saw some great plays, tons of broken bats (no corking in Fenway) and all sang along to Sweet Caroline! It was a great way to spend Memorial Day and I am super impressed that the Sox organization made a point to honor our fallen soldiers, veterans, and active duty soldier! 

Happy unofficial start to summer!