GroshLink

While chatting about Western trips and the Mets visit to Philadelphia, Fans For Change and family friendly baseball outings became the subject of conversation at Tom's family's Fourth of July celebration. One has to say, it took awhile to be convinced of the Pirates' heritage and the value of cheering for them, but our 15 years in Western PA did not witness a positive organizational direction. Yes, social games and give-aways did get us out to both Three Rivers and then PNC Park, but it was hard to be a fan, unless one was rooting for the other team (apologizes to the few friends who might be die-hard fans).

Will we see more intentional walk-outs? Hard to do when the Pirates are actually winning a game, something one would want to stay and see, unless one is so upset with management and/or convinced that the Pirates won't close the game. So a bold move by the estimated 1,000 fans, but we voted by not buying the tickets. And it would be quite a road trip for us at this time (and we're not big on the Phillies or Orioles).  Maybe I've lost my interest in MLB, but we could try some minor league ball with the Lancaster Barnstormers or Harrisburg Senators (in whose stadium some of our relatives have camped out in the out-field in tents without stakes -- hard to imagine over 1000 in the outfield for such an event). I'll try to teach the girls to love playing wiffleball with their cousins and watching baseball with an eye for the game. Let's play ball, later in the day. Take me out to the ballgame, maybe later in the season or even next year.