AND THE SOUND WAS EXCEPTIONALLY SPECTACULAR

David has a summer job as sound man for the local Class AA baseball team during its home games.  He's the first highschooler to have been given the job, so the pressure is on. Last night was the first time he handled the job on his own, and the family went on down to the stadium to listen to the audio.  The Great Lakes Loons (yea team) were playing the Lansing Lugnuts (boo hiss).

From the Department of Always Listen to Your Wife:  As we were leaving the house, I asked Sam why he didn't have a hat with him.  He said he wouldn't need it because we'd be sitting in the shade.  Of course, we were sitting in the sun.

The sun doesn't set in Michigan until about 9:30 p.m.

We had a table along the third base line.

David is up there somewhere working his heart out.  We've never before listened so intently to sound effects at a game.  Having one of your own working the audio focuses the attention marvelously.

Lois picked up a promising looking guy during the game.  I think he has potential.

The game was a good one.  The Loons were trailing 3-1 in  the bottom of the 9th and tied it up.  Then in the bottom of the 12th a Loon hit a walk-off home run with one on, and the home team emerged victorious 5-3.  It didn't help that the Lugnuts had 5 errors.  Actually we think it should have been 7 but for some reason 2 obvious errors weren't counted. 

When things got tense at the end, the crowd was asked to Make Noise and Do the Happy Dance.  Our table obeyed.

It worked.

After the game there was a fireworks display.  It was set up right in the outfield on a wagon and computer controlled.  I've never been so close to fireworks.

Small-town minor-league baseball is really a reasonably priced family activity.  Tickets were $9.  Of course, they sock you for food - two ice creams were $10.50 - but it really is a lot of fun to go with a group on a beautiful evening, relax, enjoy over-priced ice cream and see the home team win.  And listen to excellent audio.  

The crowd was a record-breaking 6,057.  It just goes to show, people will turn out for a new sound man.