A Day at the Ballpark

A Day at the Ballpark

            Each summer, minor league ballparks are packed with all sorts of competitions, from the young kids to their elder brothers and sisters, where thousands of fans fancy watching. This year was no exception with the program packed from ten thirty to five o’clock in the evening with exuberant activities. Five thirty to six was programmed for the prize awards to the winning categories in their order of seniority. My younger brother was one of the participants on this material Sunday and he had expected our support, right from our dad to mum and me. The family had enthusiastically welcomed his suggestion as one the family days to be spent together and cheering his participation in the game he liked most.

            That Sunday happened to be a fine sunny day, a sign that everything was going to be hilarious. Our dad drove us to the Durham Bull Athletic Park at around nine thirty, at the time when large crowds were streaming in the park. The car wheeled into the ample parking right before the administration block. We wished my younger brother all the best, who rushed to join the crew for briefing. Leisurely, we disembarked from the car and went in search of a better sitting place with the other spectators. My mother was in a jovial mood and told us how he really liked to see Mike play.

Mike had spent the previous week training and we were certain that they would put up a good show on the field. Their team had been the second runners-up the previous year and this year they were determined to be crowned the champions. In my junior year did not join the sport not that I hated the sport but because I was always at loggerheads with the coach then. He was the no-nonsense-type and welcomed no suggestions from anybody and so I had opted out of the sport I had much treasured as beautiful one. Anyway with that kind of an attitude the team then never got in the semis let alone winning a trophy and so the coach was sacked. My brother’s team coach was a humble guy and had trained them with zeal and zest, his objective being winning the regional trophy. As walked to the seats around the well manicured field below, somebody tagged the collar of my blue checked brand shirt. Turning, I met the brightly smiling face of Becky. We had finished high school together but joined different colleges for our higher learning. I introduced her to my parents and since we had much to share, left for the tiers a distance away from their hearing, you know how teenagers can be.

Becky told me of his college studies and told her how I was fairing on. The day in fact was turning to be a great enjoyment as at ten thirty the first teams of younger players emerged into field clad in white and blue jerseys. Becky’s younger brother was conspicuous in the white jersey and so I obliged to cheer for his team to keep Becky company. The blue jersey team scored first but was later taken by surprise as the white jersey team quickly netted more scores and eventually won the game to make Becky’s day. At around noon, my brother’s team appeared and sent uproar among the spectators. They were in red jerseys that seemed to intimidate the opponents who had yellow ones. On the line-up I could not see my brother who later appeared on the bench. I looked at my parents who seemed dismayed but I saw the reassurance that hope was very high.

The game started at such a pace that it promised to be an entertaining one. Before half time no team had succeeded on netting scores. At half time, my brother went in sending the spectators into frenzy with his ball handling skills. In fact the coach had his strategy of winning the cup as the team won the game with most points. I could see my parents hug in happiness seeing their son become a hero among his peers, a thing I could not hide envying the young fellow. However, I had beautiful Becky to content with as she proved to be something more than a friend on that day. It was pure fun sharing ice cream and tossing in congratulations to the day’s achievements.

It was a day of success as we cheered and joked over the winning teams and meant small bets, socializing in a great way. I would on the way home I joined my parents to congratulate my brother for the achievements to the next level and making my day hilarious one. I’m looking forward to the next competitions and may be meet Becky perhaps.