For whatever reason I have been following the MLB postseason playoffs with the same acute attention an acne ridden teenager gives his face the day before prom, and the conversation that took place this evening between my friend Adam and myself only heightened my awareness of baseball and the infinite possibilities the game possesses.
While watching the Indians trying desperately to hold off those damn Yanks, Adam and I came up with one of the greatest ideas I have ever been a part of, including those ideas that never came to fruition. By God I hope this one does. I realize this has been done before, and there have been a couple people that have accomplished this within the confines of a singular summer, but it is still an exciting idea. We are going to hit every single ballpark. All of them. We will even travel to Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida to see the Marlins play (which will officially make us the attendees that have traveled the furthest to see a Marlins game.... ever.) We have decided that next year we are heading to New York to see both a Yankees game and a Mets game. Once those are done we are heading to Boston to see a Red Sox game, and then finishing our tour in Chicago to see a White Sox game and a Cubs game. 5 stadiums, one trip. Throw in a Skydome (I will never call it the Rogers Centre) game at some point next summer and that is 6 stadiums in one summer. Beauty.
There are rules which need to be discussed should anyone want to be included in this (its open to everyone... bee tee dubs), and they are as follows:
1. An official home jersey of the team whose stadium you are attending must be purchased at each stadium prior to the game. No exceptions.
2. Those who want to be included in this expedition must attend every game we do, or else you buy the beer at the next game you are at.
3. Stadiums that are scheduled to be demolished have priority on the list.
4. Each time a team builds a new stadium, that new stadium must be visited. Having been at U.S. Cellular Field does not automatically exempt you from any future Chicago White Sox stadiums.
5. A picture must be taken of you outside the stadium with the name of the stadium in full view.
6. Ticket stubs MUST be saved.
7. At least one game out of all the games you attend must be a postseason game.
8. Colin will shit himself as soon as he walks into Citizens Bank Park, home of his beloved Philadelphia Phillies.
9. Bonus points for being invited into the dugout or getting autographs during the course of BP or the game.
10. Point system will be determined at a later time.
11. If another Canadian team enters the foray, they must be given priority.
12. Jason Blake has been diagnosed with leukemia. This isn't really a rule in any shape or form, but it just needs to be said. My first thought on this was "The Leafs have no luck whatsover." Then I felt bad for Jason Blake.
13. We are considering implementing an RV into the equation.
14. Adam will be buying a fitted hat for himself at each stadium. Those who follow suit will probably be awarded bonus points from Adam.
15. Adam and Colin are the sole giver outers of bonus points.
16. The jersey that you purchase before each game must be worn at said game, and the wearer must cheer on the home team. (EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE: Colin will cheer for Philadelphia regardless of ballpark attended.)
17. If there is a Hall of Fame of any sorts in a city, it must be included in the trip.
18. MLB games last 9 innings. You will stay for the full 9 innings.
19. According to Bruce, we "need rules to enforce the negative." (I'm sitting here with him and I have no clue what he's talking about. We are possibly drunk.)
20. If you catch a foul ball at a stadium, you win that day.
21. An official scorecard must be signed be each attendee that game.
22. The home jersey purchased must be worn regardless of inclement weather.
23. Once the stadium tour has been completed, bottles of champagne shall be sprayed by everyone who was a part of the fantasticness.
So these are the rules as of now. Stay tuned for updates (seeing as how I update this site regularly.... does sarcasm get across on this thing?). Yeah, so, updates on points and rules and a schedule of events are going to follow. At some point. Not sure when, but it'll happen.
