Friday, May 29, 2009

Take Me Out to The Ballgame

Last weekend the boyfriend and I headed out the door to go experience an All-American ballgame on an All-American weekend. Unfortunately it got rained out. But that didn't stop me - my game face was already on and my bag was already packed. So instead of pitching (heehee!) a fit, I decided to blog about it. Let's play ball!


Our great state of Georgia has the Atlanta Braves baseball team...but we also have a minor league team called the Gwinnett Braves. Yes...it can get a little bit confusing. But the great thing about the minors is that the stadium is shmancy, still has that new-stadium-smell and they have a BERM...or a spot for blanketing at cheaper rates! Granted, you can't bring in your own food or alcohol but it is nice for those of us that only care about one type of pitcher...and it holds hydrangeas.



So here is the list of stuff that begs to be taken to ball games...whether it be your kid's teeball game or your nephew's little league or even your brother's highschool world series.

1. Eye candy. Nothing can get you through those long innings like drooling over the latest glossy mag.

2. Blankie. Cush for your tush, towel for damp bleachers, and a wrap for those sweaty jerseys - a thin mexican blanket will do it all and still fit in your bag.

3. Cash. Tuck enough in your pocket for a footlong, a tray of nachos, a pretzel, some Nerd Ropes, cotton candy and a water...because you are on a diet.

4. Wristlet. A little tote for your wrist can hold the cell phone, the keys, and a credit card...just in case you eat all your cash.

5. Extra Strength Excedrin. 25 kids + 36 arguing parents + 3 umps + 2 random guys that scream 'heads up' after every contact with a ball = 1 major migraine.

6. Meat product. Since they don't sell pork in a small tube...beef will do.

7. Lip Gloss. Because prepackaged meat can be messy. And because there is that crazy mom who documents every single person at every single game....and yes, I hope to be her one day.

8. Granola. So that you can say that you ate a well-rounded meal. Or have one on hand to give your kid after the 4 oz juice box isn't enough.

9. Pashmina. Take a bite outta the chill with a shoulder wrap. Also functions as a face cover when entering the car with a sweaty child.

10. Water bottle. To wash down the excedrin. Or for wiping off the bleachers.


And then don't forget to make sure it all fits nice and tight into an oversized tote. I like to stack things with the bag lying down...that way if I need something as I walk into the park, I can just grab it. Like if I see Will Ferrell running naked, I could whip out the cell phone. Sure, I could just google that later but the point is, make sure your accessories are accesible.


And here is me with my fake smile and my ready-to-go bag. Yes, I am a poser. Literally. And yes, I photoshopped that monster zit off my face while saying 'strike three - yur ouutta heyah!'.

So what would you add to your ballgame bag? Any good tips you wanna share? I am root-root-rooting for someone to pull a Madonna and say crackerjack....and A-rod :)

18 comments:

Tiffany said...

You included all the essentials... except for one-- BIG paparazzi blocking sunglasses! My hubb's played minor league baseball for 4 years for the Cubs, so I sat through a plethora of games, and sunglasses are definitely a must! :)

PS- jealous about your minor league team... they WERE ours here in Richmond up through last season! :)

Rachel said...

I agree with the sunglasses, of course. So you can people watch while pretending to watch the game!!

Lyzz said...

Sunglasses and sunblock. 2 must-haves above all others.

Anonymous said...

Sunglasses, money, Blackberry (for checking the scores of other games, finding lost friends, etc.). That's all you need.

Jerky? Women actually eat that garbage? A magazine? Give your ticket to a kid if you need a magazine to get you though a baseball game.

I wonder how many people in the Dunkin Dugout need a magazine.

Ros said...

What a fun post! Made me think of this "joke" that I read on a blog somewhere. It relates more to football than baseball... but seeing your bag made me think of it:

The Difference Between Football in the North and South

WOMEN'S ACCESSORIES

Up North: Chapstick in the back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket.

Down South: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, powder,mascara (waterproof), and concealer. Wallet not necessary, that's what dates are for.

STADIUM SIZE

Up North: College football stadiums hold 20,000.

Down South: High School football stadiums hold 20,000.

FATHERS

Up North: Expect their daughter to understand Sylvia Plath.

Down South: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

ATTIRE

Up North: Male and female alike: woolly sweater or sweatshirt and jeans.

Down South: Male - press khakis, oxford shirt, cap with frat logo Female – Dresses in school colors and matching pearls.

CAMPUS DECOR

Up North: Statues of founding
fathers.

Down South: Statues of Heisman Trophy winners.

GETTING TICKETS

Up North: 5 minutes before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus and still purchase tickets.

Down South: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus and still be placed on the waiting list for tickets.

PARKING

Up North: An hour before game time the University opens the campus for game parking.

Down South: RV's sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the weekend festivities. The real faithful begin arriving on Tuesday.

GETTING TO THE STADIUM

Up North: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right in with no line.

Down South: When your near it, you'll hear it. On game day, it becomes the state's third largest city.

AFTER THE GAME

Up North: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.

Down South: Another rack of ribs on the smoker. Planning begins for next week's game.

Freckles Chick said...

Would you believe, I've never been to a baseball game. Is that the one that involves a bat and 3rd base (*giggle, snort* third base) and stuff.

Ok, you look like you never take a bad pic. Whereas I rip the camera out of friends/fam's hands after we take a pic just to make sure I look ok....and if I don't, hello "delete" button. Which gets used A LOT.

I Mean Girls hate you. =]

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

You crack me up. Great tips.

I actually work with a sponsorship of a local ballpark so we're there often. I love minor league baseball.

Leslie said...

My sister in law has been selling concessions at that stadium as a fund raiser for Collin Hills High School lacrosse team.

Kelly said...

My baseball tote is not nearly as stylish. It contains a rain poncho (horrors, I know, but some stadiums do not allow umbrellas), and I substitute a scorecard and pencil for the decor mag.

Heidi said...

OMG, I think my hubs would leave me if I ever took a magazine (other than a baseball program) into a ball park.
This may be odd, but a bag of peanuts is my go to accessory for baseball games. Why spend $4 on a little bag at the stadium when I can buy a massive one for $3 at the grocery store and then take it into the game?

Emma said...

As soon as I began to read your breakdown of Tote-Bag items, our local baseball stadium (Greensboro Grasshoppers) set off their ever-popular fireworks - we live so close to the new downtown stadium that we watch the show from our backyard! Anyway, thought that was quite funny :-) Baseball games are so much fun!

Gillian said...

Totally have the same Gap tote! $6 at the outlet.

Sunglasses+Camera.

She's crafty, and she's just my type. said...

you are adorable! I tried to sneak a book into an A's game with my hubs once, and I think he almost filed for divorce. Snort. It's kind of a big deal that we even show up, right?

PS: I think I have the same wristlet.. coach?

Katie said...

Hi Anon, What's a Dunkin Dugout? :)

Hey She's Crafty, Yessiree! That little wristlet is Coach...I love it for the perfect size and the spunky color!

And I second the motion of sunglasses, sunscreen, poncho, camera, and score card :)

XO - Katie

Sherry @ This Young House said...

You're so pretty it hurts my eyes.

xo,
s

She Just Got Married said...

HEY!! Just found you through the recommendation of our mutual friend, Hillary. LOVE your Blog...and I live in good ol' Gwinnett County GA...home of the other Braves. :-)

Mrs. McB said...

My husband coaches baseball and I think you got most of the basics. However, I always take my sunglasses as everyone has said and I make sure to have sunscreen for those day games. Not included in the bag, I take a fold up chair (much better than the bleachers) and a zip-up for those cold evenings. :)
Love the post! :)

Amanda said...

Thanks for your tips on lightening/brightening/whitening pictures with an image editor! I've been doing it with just MS Photo Editor (real simple for me!) and I feel like my images have improved 10-fold (see my last two posts)!

Appreciate the tip!