Dating with Balls (#7)

J
With lucky date number 7 on the horizon I thought what better time to try and grab some balls? Baseballs, that is. Zane's Dad has the hookup with Mets tickets, so we were able to enjoy our Mets for free, ensuring we got our money's worth.

Z
Not to put down the Yankees, especially after yesterday's loss but I have always aligned myself with the Mets. Baseball has always been a family outing for me; for as long as I can remember my father, grandfather and I have gone to Mets games. Always staying till the last pitch and almost never seeing them win. That is the extent of my affinity for baseball. As a game, I think baseball is best enjoyed in person or on the radio, ninety percent of televised games have about the same excitement as Antiques Road Show, minus the nifty tapestries.

J
My main goal for the date was to catch a foul ball, and with seats right along the 1st base line, there was a very high chance that it could happen. At least it kept me paying attention to the game the whole time. I am not what you'd call a baseball "fan" but I'd never turn down a chance to have a hot dog! When Zane and I first arrived, we decided to find some chow and cool off before making our way to our sauna-esque seats in the sun. Nothing says New York and summer more than a Nathan's hot dog, and never being one to be outdone, Zane's foot-long chili cheese dog kicked my puny dog's butt. In homage to Kobiatchi we did consume a total of 58 hot dogs, which at ballpark prices came out to about $1,000. But with those free cups of water to dunk the buns in, it made the experience very memorable. Well worth it.

Z
As an evangelical Jets fan, I live for football!...and Julie, of course...hi Julie. While I would insist on attending games regularly, my ill fortune has been flawless when attending "America's Better Pastime" as I have never seen them win. I'm a jinx - that must be it.

J
I wish I could tell you about the game, I think they lost. Hey, it's the Mets. But I did have a blast. I made friends (in my head) with the ball boy, shouting out "Anthony! Over here!" every time an unclaimed baseball appeared in his hands. I contemplated more lusty ways to get him to throw it to me, but with my date right next to me, I didn't want to make him jealous that I got a baseball and he didn't.

Z
People watching doesn't get much more fantastic than at a sporting event. There are the kids who are certain every swing of the bat will send a ball gently into their fun-size mitts, the drunks stealing seats in the front row, the hundreds of people waving like idiots whenever they catch-wind that their face is being projected somewhere, and of course the players.

Enter Josh Thole. Is he a great player or is he a great player? I haven't a clue. All I know his picture on the jumbo-tron is hilarious. "Josh Thole" I hear him saying like Matt Damon in Team America. What sort of selection process goes into choosing these pictures? They should really let their players compose themselves a little after a nap before taking the picture that will be shown to thousands of people multiple times nightly.

J
Another tactic of mine during the date was to befriend the right fielder (is that right? I just called him "the guy out there"). Maybe he would throw me a ball. Sure, it might still be in play, but that'd be fine. I can handle a little camera time. I learned his name was Jeff so I heckled him as much as possible without fully annoying those around me. You'd think all these tactics of mine would work, heck, from the sounds of my story telling I feel there should be a proud picture of me with a baseball at the end, but I don't want to get your hopes up. Zane promised when we got home he would throw my t-shirts at me with great force and make the "FFFFFFFTTTTTOOM!" noise of the t-shirt guns. That's love.

During the date I may have talked too much. I never get out to sporting events much so I often have too many questions, or rather comments about what's going on or who is scratching what or spitting where. Either way, I'd like to publicly apologize to Zane for being "That Girl." Luckily we had two even worse "That Girl"s behind us in the stands, who were busy trying to capture the best angle of David Wright's butt on their iPhones. They made it very entertaining.

Z
Julie's favorite subject to gab about was how one of the beer venders looked exactly like David Blaine (to her). Having been the only one to catch a glimpse of him in the first inning her description of him made him out to be just as mysterious as the real illusionist. When the chance finally arrived, this poor beer boy only looked vaguely like the ice-inhibiter. As Julie snapped picture after picture of him as he served the patrons sitting next to us, I couldn't help but imagine the real David Blaine in that profession.

Z
"Yes I'll take a beer."

DB
"It's already in your stomach."

J
The game went on the full 9 innings and at about the 7th I realized how rarely we stay out so late anymore. Fighting off yawns and the occasional head nod, I could have done with a couple less at bats. It made it easier to deal with the sleepies by having such a great date next to me. Being out in a new environment with the excitement of thousands of others around us gave this date that little spark of something new. Hand-in-hand navigating our way through the mobs at the end, it was nice to know that even if our team lost, we were the true winners. Another date under our belts and another evening of getting closer and sharing in something fun and out of the box.

Zane's Review

Baseball games make for a perfect setting for a great date. While games can run a bit long, it helps if you both are okay with staying for the same amount of time. Pro tip for early daters: there is an off-shot chance where you will get on the Kiss Cam. It is the most perfect segue into a first kiss ever devised. Just don't do what my other grandfather did on their first date with my grandmother and get tickets on opposite sides of the stadium. Then again seeing them now, maybe he knew exactly what he was doing.

For first daters to long time daters I give this 9.75 "innings before you will get the itch to take the date on the road" out of 10

Julie's Review
Tight Pants + Cups = Great Date. It was a combination of "Wow! We're so close to the action!" and "OMG We could get really hurt if a fly ball came our way!" The adrenaline rush made it a ton of fun. To top it all off, our pals could see us on TV every time a play happened in our little corner of the field. An evening in the warm summer air and overpriced food were just what the doctor ordered to make this a perfect summertime date. I recommend it for sports and non-sports fans alike, and if you see Jeff from the Mets, let him know he owes me a baseball. 10 out of 10.