Neither players nor fans spoiled at quaint Texas park
Sat, May 17, 2008
The RoughRiders were playing and getting beat, but the kids in attendance didn't seem to mind. If I were the wagering type, I would bet that more kids come to this AAA ballpark in Frisco, Texas, than anywhere minor league games are played."Our theme is family, family, family," says club official Michael Byrnes. In the summer, you order your tickets early if you want to see the RoughRiders play in their cozy ballpark, Dr. Pepper Field.At a recent game, I was particularly interested in a couple of kids who were excited about all the attractions that took place between innings, a beach ball bouncing through the crowd and fireworks that exploded anytime a member of the home team smacked a home run. (A curious tradition takes place here when a home run soars over the outfield fence: Ushers pass around a cowboy boot. Half of what is collected goes to the player who hit the homer and the other half to the RoughRider Foundation).The pregame meal for many fans took place at a nearby sports bar called "Third Base." Many young couples had obviously scheduled a night out at the ballpark and stopped off at the sports bar for dinner. Kids, all in their favorite jerseys and caps, spilled out onto the floor, roughhousing and having fun.
They all had baseball gloves. A ball was tossed about but was under control, enabling the restaurant staff to grin rather than grimace. It was a short-toss game, so there was no need to worry.A kid named Alex had on his Texas Longhorns jersey, and his sister Zoe wore a sun dress, although nightfall would bring about a chill necessitating a wrap. Although Alex is only 5, he plays the doting big bother with Zoe, holding her hand as they cross streets and helping her maneuver through the enthusiastic RoughRider fans. Like all kids, however, Alex has a mischievous big-brother side and he frequently taunts Zoe and takes advantage, as brothers are known to do.
At Third Base, with TV screens keeping fans up-to-date on the big-league action occurring around the country as well as the basketball playoffs, Alex and Zoe were Rambunctious I and Rambunctious II. Perpetual Motion I and Perpetual Motion II. No sooner than Alex had attacked a cheeseburger, he announced that he couldn't wait to get to the ballpark and order a hot dog.They were intrigued by a race of 2-year-olds who were placed at a starting line with the parents 20 yards away. At the sound of the starter's voice, the kids were to dash to their parents. Confusion reigned until a red-headed kid figured out the format and raced into his mother's arms with the crowd roaring its delight. It was amusing to watch kids watching other kids, which was the way it was with Alex and Zoe most of the evening.Then, the worst thing happened. The guy selling cotton candy came by. "I want one," Zoe said to the smiling salesman who handed her a pink bouquet of the sticky stuff before parents could resist the purchase option. Sticky times ensued, but that was OK. Nothing like kids having fun at the ballpark, and nobody tries harder to make kids enjoy themselves than the RoughRiders.When the Braves AAA club begins play in Gwinnett County, you'll probably have more fun there than at Turner Field.You see, with minor league baseball, neither the players nor the fans are spoiled.
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