I {heart} baseball...

…shocking, right? I know, I hide it well.

In honor of spring training beginning soon, I figured a basesball post is in order! There's something so magical about it for me. Camden Yards is my happy place. I'm often early to games and love sitting there, just taking in the atmosphere. The pregame warmups with players joking with one another and greeting friends from the other dugout. The incredible beauty of the stadium that I have come to love so dearly with that amazing brick warehouse right behind our seats. The Baltimore born Star Spangled Banner with the "O" shouted so loudly that you can't hear the singer. (By the way, that does not just happen at baseball games…anywhere the national anthem is sung in this area, you will hear it…and it'll be LOUD). Walking along Eutaw Street and seeing the markers along the street (and a few on the warehouse) indicating the spot where home runs hit with the players' names and dates of those amazing accomplishments. Realizing just how lucky we are to live so close to a ballpark and watch some future hall of famers play a game that we all love. The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the sound of the ball hitting the back of the glove…it's music to my ears. This is my normal and I do not take it for granted.

Last year was the year of the sign for me. I was a sign making fool!! Made it on the jumbotron a few times; got Boog Powell to not only sign one that had his name on it, but actually hold it up to show the crowd around how great he thought it was; was shown on ESPN during a Sunday night game and actually sparked a conversation between the commentators…I make some pretty good signs, if I do say so myself :)

this was the ESPN moment (I didn't include all of the commentary afterward…you get the idea)

yep…that's me with my Boog Powell sign. The only one standing in our section for the playoffs…shame shame baseball fans

I won't bother you with all the others. There were many. MANY.

There were countless moments last season that stick out in my mind…spring training with my moms, Jeter's last game in Baltimore, all 4 home playoff games (I have never heard the stadium louder or felt it shake more than in game 2 of the ALDS vs. Detroit - 8th inning, down 6-4, and Delmon Young steps to the plate with bases loaded and hits the ball perfectly into left field, clearing the bases. And let's not forget slo-mo JJ Hardy turning on the jets and coming in with the perfect slide to beat the throw to the plate during that play. Unreal. I STILL get chills just watching the video.)

But better than all of that was September 16th, our 19th anniversary and my husband surprised me with tickets for that night…a night in which a win would clinch the AL East division - the first time since 1997 (ironically, the year my son was born). And clinch they did. It was the best baseball moment I've ever had. These grown men who make absurd amounts of money suddenly became little boys, jumping around the field with such joy and complete abandon. They went inside for the celebration…champagne spraying every inch of the plastic covered locker room…all being broadcast on the jumbotron for those of us that stayed to soak in the entire experience. And then they all came outside. In Baltimore we truly feel as though the team appreciates their fans (the team…not the owner…that's another story). They wanted to share their moment with all of us. Their families joined them on the field…players chasing toddlers around the diamond…Adam Jones pieing fans…dumping beer on each other and spraying it into the crowd…it might not sound like much to you, but to us it was pure magic. Not only did they include us, the fans, but they pulled veteran vendors onto the field and included all of the grounds crew. It was my best night in Camden Yards ever, and that's saying a lot because I've had some amazing times there.

I am beyond excited for this season to start. Whatever happens, however far we go, we know that it'll be a hell of a ride and I'll be right there watching from my right field seats with the smell of Boog's BBQ wafting through the air. MY field of dreams.

here are some pics from the amazing division clinching night