Take Us Out (Part 2)

In yesterday’s post, I talked about our day tripping adventure to see our first Delmarva Shorebirds game. Who knew it would be so exciting, more so when the home team scored their winning (and only) runs in the bottom of the last inning. It was way more fun than we imaged. Minor league games always seem to be more low-key and family-fun oriented than their big brother – major league baseball.

Reason #1 –It’s an outing where everyone can have fun, whether or not they like baseball. And, ballgames games are a great way to spend time together having fun outdoors.
Reason #2 - Games played during the 7th inning stretch and between innings by kids and adults for fun AND prizes. Often, kids can run the based before or after the game. Other times they have silly races – all are great fun to watch and maybe even try.
Reason #3 – FOOD - Hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, pretzels, popcorn, soda and ice cream are always on the menu.
Reason #4 - Hometown support since many teams are more home grown; the crowd gets into the games, both on and off the field.
Reason #5 – minor league baseball is a step below the pros.  You can get up close to  players that could one day play in big league clubs.
Shorebird games are no exception to the above. There were lots of games between innings for kids and adults, but mostly the kids. The mascot, Sherman Shorebird, puts on quite a show for everyone – whether walking in the stands or doing the chicken dance during the 7th inning stretch.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One food you always find at the game is that all-time favorite – the Hot Dog or is that a Peanut Butter sandwich? Everyone has a way to enjoy the game.
 
   

But the BEST reason for going to a minor league ballgame – it’s FUN. Try it sometime!

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

Jack Norworth (1908)

FYI – This is the chorus to Take Me Out to the Ball Game written in 1908 by Jack Norworth,a successful vaudeville entertainer and songwriter. After seeing a sign: “Baseball Today – Polo Grounds” Norworth penned the words in 15 minutes on scrap paper while riding the subway to NY. He gave the scrap paper lyrics to Albert Von Tilzer who composed the music which was then published by the York Music Company. Neither Norworth or Von Tilzer had attended a game prior to collaborating on the lyrics and music. Before the year ended, it was a hit song; it was played for the first known time at a ballpark in 1934. Now it’s usually sung during the 7th inning stretch at many ball parks. Jack Norworth wrote over 2,500 songs, including Shine On, Harvest Moon and several other baseball songs, but none became more famous than this one.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game was sung by Gene Kelly and Frank  Sinatra at the start of the 1949 hit MGM musical  of the same name. Directed by Busby Berkeley, the film was set in 1906 and revolves around the Wolves, a fictional ball team. It took in a box office gross of $4 million.