Just the other day I experienced the quintessential American experience: I went to a Major Leage Baseball game. I have been to several games this year, all to see the Los Angeles Dodgers. Go Dodgers!

I was off to Chavez Ravine, with a few of my friends, where the Dodgers will be playing the Giants. And Dodgers versus Giants is storied rivalry dating back to when both teams hailed from New York… There is something special in the air when you attend a baseball game… You are part of the action and can be called upon to catch a foul ball or home run at any time during the contest. I was so excited for the game that I actually brought my old high school glove to the stadium, convinced as I was that I was going to catch a home run baseball

I have come close to catching several baseballs in my day but never have.  The closest I ever came was with my brother… and he jumped three rows to beat me while I was holding a beer and nachos…  I hope today is my day because I got the tickets. and even though I was given a little ribbing from my buds who thought it was slightly awkward for a 23 year old guy to bring a glove to a game… it was all worth it because they came to accept my genuine excitement and quickly wished they had all had gloves too...   It was the first game of the series and the Dodgers needed to take one of the three games to snatch any playoff hopes from the Giants and win the Western Division. 

But, while sitting in the stadium in the right field bleachers, which where coincidentally purchased by an investment banker several weeks before in his attempt to corner any home run ball hit by Barry Bonds. Heck it was only his $25,000 gamble… now being taken advantage of by me… enjoying the seats at cost.

 And as I was sitting there in section 305 seat 18, right on the aisle only a few rows from the fence.  I thought what if I did catch a home run? First of all, a home run is many things… and that is why it is the most exciting play in all of sports… A ball was thrown by the pitcher with the intent to give a strike to a batter, giving him the challenge of swinging.  The hitter then has to precisely hit the ball squarely off of his bat with a fluid motion… A Home Run swing is a graceful swing, a swing that can look so natural and easy that it seems as if anyone could do it…  but not many can… As the ball is hit, the sound of the bat and ball connecting is a sound unlike any and has classically been described through the ages as CRACK!… it’s a sound of power wood and raw leather materials colliding… And as that ball rapidly flies out at an arc as if jettison from some unknown cannon, caught by some lucky fan… Home Runs truly are special plays… The most special plays in all of baseball and in any sport. Some might get caught up in the fact that certain home run balls are worth big bucks… but to true fans any ball is special… and mean the same if Shawn Green or Robin Ventura hit it…  

Hopefully I would catch a Home Run from a Dodger… but what if it was from a Giant?  Would I throw it back?  My guts says yes I would throw it back… but what if it was from Barry Bonds… a baseball that has it’s own number on it… a ball that would be a part of history (The umpires give the pitcher a specially marked ball to authenticate it should it become a home run…  if it goes foul it is not given any special significance)  

As the game went on it was a pitchers duel and Barry Bonds was intentionally walked twice… thankfully he didn’t hit a home run but JT Snow did…. He hit a ball that came right at me…  my friend was at the time sitting in the aisle  and it was almost caught by my friend and in the end, the Dodgers lost the game…  As I walked out of the stadium with my friends carrying my glove talking about the ball we almost caught I knew it will only be a matter of time before I will get mine… Just as I was taken to Dodgers games by my Dad and went with my whole family, I hope to one day do the same…  Who knows maybe my future son will catch a ball before me.

So, now that both local teams are out of the playoffs, you may just have to wait until next season for your cherished chance to be the lucky fan who will catch a piece of History. Unless you're thinking of heading out to Boston or New York.

Go Dodgers in 2005!!!