stretch

Well, once again, I did not make it into the top 50 for the Seventh Inning Stretch competition. Voting is on the Cubs web-site if you want to see the ones that made it.

Tell it to the Cubs

The Cubs are running a program for season ticket holders called "Tell it to the Cubs". They sent out an invitation to the season ticket holders asking them if they wanted to participate in a question and answer lunch at Wrigley. As you can imagine the response was high. The first lunch was held back in June. I was not invited to that one. I was, however, privileged to be invited to the last one held yesterday, Wednesday July 23. It's always fun to be in Wrigley on a non-game day.

It was a beautiful day. We were led into the park and herded towards an open concession stand for lunch. They served a modified menu of hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, malt cups, and drinks. I grabbed a hotdog, chips, and a small Pepsi. They had us sitting in sections 130/131. We were in the shade the speakers were in the sun.

It was an open mic-question and answer session. Cranne Kenney introduced others joining him, then lead the discussion after a short welcome. It was interesting to hear what was on people's minds. There were 5 year ticket holders all the way to 35 year ticket holder. Even the owner of the McDonald's across the way was there as a season ticket holder. As each person stepped up to the mic, they gave their name, number of years as a ticket holders, and their section. They weren't told to do this the first person did, so everyone else did.

So what was on the minds of the ticket holders? History of the ballpark was a hot topic, a hall of fame in the new triangle building answered most of those questions. Future upgrades and improvements to the ball park, the triangle building again was a common response. The triangle building was proposed back in 2004/5. It would hold parking, a hall of fame, offices, restaurants, and shops. it would take some of the current offices out of the park to make room for improvements and expansion in the park. The updating the bathrooms and controlling the flow of the traffic in the bathroom was a very hot topic. A few suggestions for special promotions for season ticket holders and other regular attenders were given, including a swipe card for various uses. These were welcomed suggestions and even received a couple "watch your mail this off-season for details" responses. Questions on landmark status, traffic/police/security around the park, sound system, customer relation service, new owner process, replays on the tvs, and upgrading/swapping season tickets. Several people also started out by giving "props" for the way that they handled the up-grades to the park over the years - bleachers, press boxes, lights, and suites. There were a few questions regarding ticket prices and revenue but they were all answered with bringing in a team to compete and win a world series. One suggestion for more revenue would be showing away post-season games in Wrigley. There were a few on-the-spot poles by a show of hands. One was if a jumbo screen could be put up separate from the scoreboard, would you approve? Another was should the "L" flag be raised at the end of game to announce the Cubs lost that game?

All and all it was a very interesting session lasting just over two hours. On our way out we were given a bag of promotion "leftovers". A min-baseball bat, a insulated mug (looking about 20 years old), a webkinz, a build-a-bear cubby, and a Cubs uniform for an American Girl doll.

Summer in Chicago

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away... ok it wasn't that long ago but it seems like it, Ann-Marie and I got it into our heads that we wanted to go to SuperDawg one day. It was so long ago I don't even remember how the topic of conversation started. Upon her return from the motherland, Sweden, we decided to have a lunch together after church the following Sunday. The possibilities were endless... should we stay in and fix something, pick something up and eat-in, or go somewhere. It didn't take too long and I declared "we should go to SuperDawg." The decision was made and the excitement started to build. Who wouldn't be excited about eating a hotdog under a giant hotdog?
It turned out that Sunday was the perfect day to go. It was warm but not too warm, our timing was great. We pulled right into a spot and decided to order and eat in the car. That's half the fun, right?
Of course we had to take time and read the menu, carefully choosing what we wanted before pressing the button to order. It came quickly. We each enjoyed a SuperDawg with fries and a thick chocolate malt. we did giggly at ourselves a few times for being so excited about the visit but it was well worth it. talks about going back ended our meal.

It's one of those fun Chicago places to go. I highly recommend it.

Hiya! and enjoy!

http://www.superdawg.com/

I sang a wrong word

I sang a wrong word. i have to admit it and it's on film. Ok film that was probably erased a minute after i left but it still happened. Friday morning was my try-out for the second annual 7th Inning stretch competition at Wrigley. it was a warm day and I was lucky to be in the first round of singers for the day. This year I heard they only had one day of try-outs with approximately 1,100 people invited to sing. In two days last year that was about the number of people that showed up even though about twice as many were invited. That's what was passed on to us by the escort we had to lead us around Wrigley. He escorted us down into the bowls of Wrigley. There we sat in the stuffy heat of the hallway while we waited to be called. After the first person went, there were technical problems that had to be solved before the next person could sing. We had about 35 minutes to check out our surroundings and chat with each other.

Across the way from us hung the chains they use in-between the innings to smooth out the dirt on the infield.

To the left of me sat stacks and stacks of the "kitty litter" they use on the field to soak up the puddles after a rain delay.

To the right of me sat sandbags and the rakes they used to tidy up the field.

A rather interesting place to sit and wait. Did i mention that it was warm down there? I was glad to have brought some water even though it went fast. Finally it was time to get going again, good thing because we were starting to melt. the next three people went in and came out, then it was my turn. I was warm and a little nervous. I joked with my escort, as we entered the air conditioned room with some showers, and asked if i could take a quick shower. I entered the next room which I learned was the umpires locker room. It was small but had some nice big comfortable looking recliners. I stood up there and started singing... "take me out to the ball game. take me out with the park..." what? what did i just sing? keep singing. keep singing. "I said a wrong word. I'm so sorry. I've never done that." i blurted that out as soon as i was done. "yah you did but you sounded really good while you did it," was one of the judges response. "I'm sure you've noticed that most people who sing don't get the words right. Don't worry about it." The judge asked a couple of questions and then thanks me for singing and i'm on my way. I can't believe i mess-up. I've never done that before. I was hoping to at least make it to the next 50 this year but doubt that will happen now. Even with the extra waiting time I was done and outside by 10:30.

One piece of sad news was announced on the news Friday morning, the young man that won the 7th inning stretch competition passed away. He was battling cancer last year and lost his battle just as the competition for this year was starting. My prayers go out to his family.

Again...

Once again I received an invitation to compete in the 7Th inning stretch competition at Wrigley field. Last year some where between 2,500 and 2,800 people competed in the first round. It was narrowed down to 50, then to 10. I hope this year to make it to the second round of 50. Since I'm not 8, 80, or battling a deadly disease I know I won't make it into the top ten but here's hoping to make it beyond the first round.
My time slot is 9:30 am on Friday, July 18Th. Results can about two or three weeks later, if i remember correctly from last year. I'll keep you posted.

Go Cubs!

Axel and Ahnu

A tale of two brothers...

Look how nicely they can be together. Axel does nothing without making sure Ahnu (Anders) is far away. too cute!

First game...

so what do you do at your first baseball game...

Eat ice cream...

Eat lemon chill... drink soda pop and play in the seats...
Yell hello! to the crowd below...
maybe watch a little bit of the game...
take a nap...

First game...

Sunday the boys went to their first major league baseball game. It was a Twins game. Grandma and Grandpa Brady were in town and thought it was time. Tickets were purchased and the van loaded up (Amy and I took the train and met them down there). Got there a bit early for parking. Had hotdogs and peanuts waiting for the game to start... when the rain hit... or should I say when the monsoon hit. Pouring rain and driving wind for an hour. Delayed the game by 90 minutes. Then we were sitting and ready to go.

Cheese, Auntie Laurie!

Watching them remove the tarp. look at all that water.