I am with some friends in the land of the Mouse on our annual Spring Training trip. We are in the midst of six Braves games in six days at Champion Field at Disney's Wide World of Sports. So far, no good--the Braves have lost both games we have seen, one to Detroit and one to Houston.
At today's game, the public address announcer jumped the gun and invited us to stand for the seventh inning stretch at the end of the sixth inning. For those of you who are unfamiliar with baseball tradition, the seventh inning stretch takes place in the middle of the seventh inning. But when the announcer asked us to stand a half-inning early, the Philharmonic Saxophone Orchestra (they really have such a thing) rushed out onto the field and played "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and most of the people in the place dutifully stood and sang along.
I kept my seat. It was just wrong.
I'm not one to rock the boat, but sometimes you just can't in good conscience go along with the crowd.
I have been reading and enjoying your blog for about a month. Your act of civil disobedience has inspired me to respond. Not standing during the sixth inning stretch is all well and good. My question is how do you possess the courage to make an annual trip to spring training with your buddies and remain married? Are these trips your idea or did your wife suggest that you go? Either way I am envious.
ReplyDeleteJoe W. Davis
Joe,
ReplyDeleteA good woman is indeed hard to find! My wife is gracious and understanding and is probably glad to be shed of me for a week.
I laughed out loud at your "act of civil disobedience." You are right...it was "just wrong."
ReplyDeleteI probably would have stood anyway, only because I would have assumed there would be no real 7th inning stretch after the fake one.