A Beautiful Day for a Ball Game

Last Monday was Opening Day for the Dodgers. As usual, it’s my floating holiday.

I got to the ballpark around 11:30 a.m. Walking up from the bus stop was difficult, although this year I managed not to fall flat on my face! I’m sitting on the third base/left field side, which offers a different perspective on the game. The Dodgers have reconfigured the left field entrance – there’s a team shop outside the gate, and the gate itself is in a slightly different place.

I did some of my usual pre-game routines – getting my drink (and a Dodger dog) from my favorite vendor, and warbling “It’s a Beautiful Day for a Ball Game,” stopping at Jody’s concession stand (they didn’t have Opening Day t-shirts, and she was out of the pin) and the yogurt stand. I didn’t get a chance to see one of my favorite ushers.

Pre-game ceremonies were much as usual. The Dodgers had a country singer performing (and she sang the national anthem). The Navy’s Leap Frogs (parachute team) dropped into the stadium, one of whom had the ball for the first pitch.

Both visiting and home teams were introduced. The Dodgers have returned names to the backs of the jerseys, so one doesn’t need a scorecard to see who’s on first. Along with a presentation of colors by a group of Boy Scouts, a huge flag was unfurled on the outfield. Two people who were decorated for heroism in Iraq were introduced. An Army sergeant sang “God Bless America” before the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Two Air Force jets flew over - no B2 Stealth this year. Steve Sax threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He made a good throw; at least the ball didn’t wind up in the dugout seats!

The game got off to a bad start when Jason Schmidt, the starter, served up a pitch that wound up in the Dodgers’ bullpen. Fortunately, no one was on base then! Schmidt returned the favor at his at-bat and blasted one into the left field pavilion.

That was a highlight. Lowlights included having Matt Kemp dive into the auxiliary scoreboard and injure his shoulder (he’s now on the DL). Andre Ethier played the rest of the game. Schmidt tweaked his hamstring covering first base defensively and was replaced by our long reliever.

Final score: Dodgers 3, Rockies 6.

Attendance: 56,000 exactly.