Monday officially kicked off the beginning of summer and what did we wake up to? Rain, clouds and wind. Remember my last post, "The Little Things in Life" well, add to it sunshine, warm weather and blue skies. Although the week may have started off on a rather dreary note, the weather redeemed itself and it has been beautiful ever since. I may actually have sweated out a gallon worth of water in the 100 degree and 100% humidity and not even cared. That is how much I wanted some summer weather.
I really do thank my sweet stars for where I live and the many blessings I have in life. One of the major notes is that the College World Series is held in Nebraska and I am a mere 45 minutes away from the tradition, excitement, craziness and quintessential American sporting tournament of the year. Baseball is the ultimate in American sporting traditions and this week has been so full of every sport imaginable I almost wish that my little bubble surrounding me in my glorious summer-daze would never be popped. The World Cup is in full swing and the USA had an amazing run at it. Good thing I have 2 screens at work so that I could have the game streaming live on one while doing work on my other. History was made at Wimbledon with a match that lasted over 10 hours! I am anything but a tennis expert but geez louise, that's a lot of hitting a small yellow ball back and forth. I can't even imagine how sore those guys are. But, mark one for the Americans, John Isner won! Continuing with my sporting affairs, the US Open was over Father's Day weekend and even though mine and Randy's golfing plans were kaput, we still managed to enjoy a day full of rooting a delicious Irishman to his first big victory! (Some day I'll tell you my grand plan for my Irish future...just know this, it includes costumes and dancing).With all of these exciting sports going on, I felt like I had to choose one to dedicate myself to. I thought long and hard about which would take the cake and finally decided on the CWS. Number 1: I can actually go the games. Number 2: ballpark food. Number 3: hot college baseball players. Number 4: my sister-in-law has the most amazing seats. Number 5: I love watching baseball.
I was lucky enough to be given the afternoon off on Monday and a friend and I headed to Omaha atop the hill to behold the 'Blatt and headed in for an afternoon game. Florida vs. Florida State. Really? I have to watch 2 Florida teams duke it out? Like I really even care who wins. Normally, I pick a team to cheer for at the games, but for this one I would be fine with both of them going home. Then, we were given pom poms. The nicest people from Florida sat in front of us and saw that Carrie and I were decked out in our Husker gear (obviously) and asked us to help cheer them on to a win. I admit it, I was a Florida Gator fan for 3 hours. I'm sorry!! It was the first and last time I will ever, I mean ever (Sorry Cousin Emily who goes there) cheer for the Gators. My only reasoning is that they gave us the pretty and shiny poms and let us keep them. They ended up losing anyway, so I guess our Husker luck doesn't rub off on them.
I was a dedicated CWS fan. I would check the scores from the 3:30 game during the afternoon, watch the end when I got home from work and wait for the 8:00 game to come on before fixing a little dinner and planting myself on the couch. What a fantastic week. It really couldn't have been much better. Unless of course I was at all of the games. My roommates were quite impressed with my dedicated to a sport they hardly keep track of (did I mention they are boys) and said the only way they knew I was home was if they heard baseball talk on the TV downstairs.
<----- Yes. This man shaved his chest hair to read RIP BLATT. This is the awesomeness I'm talking about when I remember the College World Series.
Then, I made the trip up again on Friday. As I was on the interstate driving the quick and easy 45 minutes to Omaha I could almost smell the popcorn, hot dogs, fresh squeezed lemonade and funnel cakes coming from the Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. Oh, baseball, how I love watching you. Oh, summer, how I have missed you. We made it into the stadium after witnessing the exit of the 3:30 game-goers. Thank God we didn't go to that game. I think the heat index was over 100 degrees and those people looked absotudelutely miserable. Some looked like they had just jumped into a pool, others were practically walking dead on their feet and they all needed a little shade and water. Good thing our seats are in the shade right behind home plate and we got the nice evening breeze. It was still a little humid and sticky but besides that we really couldn't have asked for a more perfect night. Kelly and I enjoyed some Dippin' Dots (her favorite ballpark treat) and we all relished the water that we sweat out throughout the game. We saw a great game and were glad to see South Carolina win and continue on in the series.
It will be the last time for the CWS to be held at Rosenblatt and for the first time in 60 years it will be at a new stadium. New atmosphere, parking, fan fest and fun await us and although my sentimental side hates the move, change is inevitable and the College World Series is still where it should be. At home in Omaha.
My brother Paul and I standing on The Road to Omaha statue for what is most likely the last time
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