We're talking Baseball

It's hard to know how to frame the edge of an experience. Perhaps you might put your mind inside that of a catcher trying to find a way to coax the pitcher into placing their slider right at the batter's eyes, only for it to drop away toward the other side of the plate.

Swing and a miss.

That's how things feel today- a swing and a miss and some fireworks.

Baseball has a way of showing us ourselves, and that's what I love about it. When nations are on the verge of World War 3 and unions on the cusp of striking and children facing imminent doom of deportation, it's so much easier to scream at an umpire, or the official scorer. When men are striking baseballs and not women, it's a much easier world to live in.

The Twins today and this whole week are as combustable as my former marriage. Always pregnant with possible explosion, yet nothing ever materializing. Today was no exception.

It was a perfect Saturday for a game. The sun was shining without a cloud and the air was blowing in from right field. When the national anthem started while my son and I were still in the concession line, everyone stopped and listened. Paris, the woman at the helm slinging hot dogs, brats and perfection told her crew to stop. "It's the national anthem." Something in that made me smile.

Patrick got a Twins sweatshirt, a treat I'd promised him. I liked the same one and declared "We can really be the Minnesota Twins!" He looked at me as only a teenager can, with a sort of 'dear god mom, please 'no''. I got a different sweatshirt. "Sweatshirt of the summer!" I declared. Mine has 'Minne' and 'Paul'. His just has the logo.

But I'm sure you're not reading to know about concessions or apparel. You're likely curious as to how many stands I went to before I was able to find a cup of coffee. The answer is five. How many did you guess?

Okay, I'm joking. Let's get to the game.

Patrick and I settled into our seats and they really felt like MY seats. "Oh, you're up to the Thrivent Club?" They stated as we walked onto the elevator. Joe Ryan started crisp. He struck out the first batter on three pitches. "This is gonna be Joe's day!" I predicted excitedly, like a labrador salivating at the idea of jumping into Lake Superior. Joe had an excellent first. In the bottom of the first Julien struck out. Correa walked and then Alex Kiriloff hit his third triple of the year. Third- in the first week. He is tied for the league lead- with other TEAMS. I was stoked. I almost started crying. He's a big guy. First basemen are not expected to hit any triples, let alone three in the first week of the season. Correa scored. On the next at bat Buxton grounded to the shortstop. The third base coach sent Kiriloff with only one out. Terrible decision and Alex was thrown out by a mile.

At the end of the inning I went on my coffee search. Patrick was getting cold and in the booth where I thought coffee was there was ice cream. I got Patrick a twist cone in a waffle cup. "Can we stay inside until this is done" he inquired. "Of course" I responded.

It seemed like but seconds that we wandered back toward our seats. As we did we passed the TV's in the club area. 3-1 Guardians. How on earth did this happen?!

I had to check my MLB app. "I'm guessing it was a home run." Patrick and I had left when there was a runner on first. Ryan hit a guy, I can't remember who. There was an out though and a quick double play would end the inning... so I thought... that's why I relented to go get warm...

Little did I know that there was a single after the second out and then a towering homerun that sucked the air out of the... air... and that those would be the only runs of the entire game. And Patrick and I missed the whole thing looking for coffee. Of course, I woudln't know that until the end.

It seemed every inning the Twins would put the lead runners on only to end up in a double play or a strike out. Reminded me of the game Thursday or in Milwaukee that I listened to on the radio.

Patrick started getting a stomach ache in the 6th inning. I could tell he was miserable and cold. "Do you want to just go son? It's okay."

"I can stay." He said through blue lips and red cheeks. Though he's almost 16 in that moment my son reminded me of his three year old self, doing anything to make mom happy. "I know it's the first game."

"Patrick, you're far more important than any game." I said to him. "You're cold aren't you."

"A little" He lied.

"...and you don't feel well." I paused. My son thinks he hides his anxiety from me but I see every part of it. I wish and pray and hope I can destroy it but I only seem to make it worse. His father was angry we were going to baseball. Patrick knew it and so did I. There was no point trying to fight it anymore.

"Let's go. We have a 39 games to go son. It's okay."

We walked out during the seventh inning stretch and Patrick seemed to have a new pep in his step as we walked out. "I just didn't sleep well this week mom."

"I get it son." We both had spring break but at different times. Like ships passing in the night.

"I had fun mom, I did."

"I did too."

Last night he and I played catch. I got a bit animated. He probably got embarassed as I was shouting encouragement across Victory Memorial Drive. "I'm doing my favorite thing with my favorite person!" I said to him when he admonished my vigor. Teenagers are fun that way. They want to be noticed and also absolutely not noticed all at the same time.

I will always notice him.

On the drive home we listened to the game end. More players on base, more lost opportunities. Sometimes life is like that too. When a friend hits a double, you strike out. When you've led off with a single, they ground you into a double play. Some times life feels that way too, doesn't it?

So, Patrick and I left a few things on base today and the game felt incomplete. I wouldn't call it a loss. It never is with my son, but the Twins can definitely call it a loss. For me, there were just a few missed opportunities and hopes of another day. Next time, son, the ball will bounce our way, I'm sure of it.

Until then, one can never complain about a beautiful 59 degree day at the ballpark with your child. The energy was electric even if it was a bit cold in the shadowy seats and the home team lost.

Stats of the day:

Twins Lose 3-1 to the Cleveland Guardians

Joe Ryan (L)

Alex Kiriloff 1-3 3b

Carlos Correa 1-3 1b

a two hit loss.

Twins Next game: Tomorrow, same team, same time.

My next game: Monday 4/8 (eclipse Monday) against the Dodgers!

(Oh, and don't tell me the new hats make my head seem microscopic... I already know...)