Chapter One: Team Stimey as a Whole

So. A while back (I am woefully late in writing this post), Team Stimey got an invitation to go see the Baltimore Orioles play a game at Camden Yards. It was a bold move on the part of the Orioles organization to invite this gang of hooligans to go see a game, but I didn’t clue them in. I just said yes and then dragged my kids to Baltimore on the rainiest day ever.

I’m not sure Tour Guide Bob was prepared for my kids, but he did an admirable job of putting up with us.

We got to see all of Camden Yards, which was totally cool. We saw the Kids Corner, which features games for kids and a play area in case you have kids who get antsy during ball games. He showed us the press rooms, which was one of the coolest things. I love that behind the scenes stuff. Very, very cool.

We also got to go out to the field. That was awesome. We were under strict orders to not step on the grass and to stay in one place and we only had, like, a minute and a half out there. Naturally I was sure that Jack was going to take off and run the bases, which would have made for excellent blog fodder, but might have gotten us taken off the Orioles blogger list. And kicked out of the stadium.

It was difficult to take an awesome photo of Team Stimey Junior under such conditions. The fabulous Goon Squad Sarah took this one, which has almost all of our faces. I kind of super love this photo.

I didn’t fare quite so well. Quinn evidently believed that he had been taken out to the field to be shot by firing squad.

Those kids have no idea how cool an experience that was. They also have no idea how cool it was that they then got to watch the game from a private luxury box full of dinner and snacks. Although they did each enjoy it in their own way.

Chapter Two: Sam

Sam, to my recollection, two weeks after the event, was lovely. Had you asked me on the drive home, I might have had other things to say, but at this point, all I can remember is how into the game Sam was.

He sat in his corner seat and watched the game, only getting up to find food.

Oh, he also got up to harass the Orioles mascot when the bird was trying to make children happy.

Chapter Three: Jack

Jack was a little overstimulated at the game. He did a lot of twirling.

(* Guess that quote.)

I also like the fact that as soon as we got to the luxury box and went to the window to look out at our own private seats overlooking the field, Jack was all, “Look! Glass! I bet I could make a smiley face on that!”

Then he demanded my iPad and because I was concerned about him twirling toward freedom right over the railing, I gave it to him. He enjoyed that iPad for the entire rest of the time we were there, except for the few minutes that I forced him to watch the game. Watching baseball might not be his favorite thing.

Even when the mascot came in, Jack only managed to get up to show him his iPad and then he returned to his seat.

Chapter Four: Quinn

So Quinn. Quinn didn’t stop eating the entire time we were at the game. He walked into the suite, saw snacks on a table and sat down and made himself at home. I was all, “Hey, Quinn! Do you want to come outside and see the field?” and he was all, “No thanks, I’m happy here.”

Every time I saw him, he was wandering around with some giant container of baseball food.

As with the other two children, Quinn managed to put aside his defining baseball game-attending behavior to visit the mascot. This is actually kind of a big deal, because Quinn is often afraid of the giant stuffed, mobile animal.

Even on the way out, Quinn was trying to get food. He managed to talk our very wonderful hosts into giving him a giant bag of pretzels.

Now. I need you to prepare yourself for the greatest juxtaposition of two photos you will ever see in your life.

I know. I took that first photo, turned, and started walking with Quinn behind me and then I heard the sound of a huge number of small, hard snacks cascading onto the ground. I just stopped and I couldn’t even turn around for a minute. You know how you know what you are going to see and you don’t want to? That was me.

Chapter Five: Stimey

So, me. I had a lovely time. Camden Yards is a really cool ballpark and has lots of nice amenities. I think even if you didn’t get to watch the game from a luxury box that you would have a good time. Although I highly recommend the luxury box.

I was part of a group of bloggers who went to hear about the Orioles and Camden Yards and some of the people who are involved in the organization.

We were able to meet Angela Showalter, who is (probably pretty obviously) Manager Buck Showalter’s wife. She told us about raising her kids and moving around throughout her husband’s career. She also told us about one of the charities she is involved in, called KidsPeace, which provides therapeutic services for foster kids.

And don’t think that when I saw that Oriole come in that I didn’t bum rush him before any of the kids were able to get to him.

I got even better hugs from someone else though.

Also, I should tell you that a blogger’s kid puked and it wasn’t one of mine. Surprise!

We had such a great night. Thank you so much to the Orioles for showing us such a good time. Everyone we came in contact with was very lovely to us, even during that hellaciously long ten minutes after leaving the suite and making it to our car. The people who were nice to us about the pretzels especially earned my gratitude.

And lest you think that Quinn was overly sad about the pretzels or Sam was upset that we left the game a little early or that Jack was unable to cope with my surgical removal of the iPad from his hands, rest assured. One bag of fluffed sugar and they were thrilled.

They all had a really, really fun time. I’m so glad we were able to go.

Epilogue

Aaaaaand I think that is all the baseball stories I have for a while.

Acknowledgements (Disclosure)

The Orioles hosted a private event for a group of bloggers, which included tickets, a tour, parking, dinner, and gift bags for the munchkins. My opinions are my own. As are the hooligans.