Baseball Opener 2011

Gophers vs. Purdue at Target Field

Can you tell the difference between a 97 mile an hour fastball and a 91 mile an hour fastball?

Neither can I.

But I know the difference between $85 box seats and $5 seats.

Which is why, after my listing presentation (10 a.m.), and putting the finishing touches on a new listing for Monday (noon), I stole away to Target Field for a few hours this afternoon.

Cost?  $5 and $10 for youths and adults, respectively, for the best seats in the house.

Make that, all the seats in the house.

Calibre of Play

I’m sure George Will could tell the difference between college ball players and the pro’s.

But to my eye, except for the players’ ages (18-22) and the distinctive “clink” of the aluminum bats that are allowed, the game seemed indistinguishable.

In fact, several players from both teams are apparently headed for the majors, from a system that has previously produced greats like Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor.  

Game Within Game

At least as entertaining as the game itself was the competition amongst about a dozen teenage boys (including my son and his friend) to recover foul balls hit into the ocean of empty seats.

With a crowd of barely 500, whole sections of the ball field were cordoned off.

However, when a foul ball landed in one of the off-limits areas, the attendants would look the other way while the kids scrambled for the ball.

Here’s a tip, courtesy of an attendant who’s a 30 year stadium veteran:  the balls always carom towards the front row, so work your way up, not down.

P.S.:  Because the radar gun wasn’t turned on, the 91 mph is my estimate.