walcott

Popcorn. Peanuts. Dollar dogs. Schmitters. Cold beer. Not exactly fine dining items. Yet the mere mention of this assortment sends me into an absolute frenzy because they all have one thing in common: Baseball season.

Ah, baseball season. That wonderful time of year when our spirits are reborn and our beloved Phillies are back – bringing life to Citizen’s Bank Park. In this house, opening day is a Halladay, er, I mean, holiday. And quite honestly, it should be a national one.

So in an effort to raise our son with the right values, appropriately dressed, we positioned him rightly toward the screen for to witness his very first pitch. And there is something infinitely poetic about that first pitch being thrown out for Chase by none other than Roy Halliday. And accompanied by his red, furry friend, Elmo, they watched in awe…

Perhaps the excitement was bit overwhelming for them both – Chase reassured Elmo that his butterflies would calm… eventually.

Like any true fan, Chase responds to the first bad call of the game. Halliday. Was. Clearly. Safe.

And what a game to go down in history as your very first home opener – down two runs in the bottom of the ninth with a 5-4 comeback! With all the highs, lows, drama and well-earned ultimate victory that baseball has to offer, I can’t think of a better way to welcome my son to the world of our favorite sport.

I feel it’s quite safe to say that beyond a shadow of a doubt we have ourselves a little Phillies fan.