cooperstown- day 157 (ok, day 5)

First, the most important part- A ROYALS WIN!!!!!! So, so proud of all of the boys who worked so hard all week and won a game. Not a regular game, but a playoff game!! The final score was 19-21 and the entire game was totally anxiety provoking, exciting, and made me want to vomit for the THREE hours the 6 innings took. It was back and forth every inning between the Royals and the New Castle team, but I was thrilled for the boys that they won!! The New Castle Highlanders (from Chappaqua) fought really hard and were total gentlemen.

This was immediately after Jamie’s grand slam homerun for the win.

Had to take one pic of the scoreboard. They played but lost another game immediately following their win versing the Metro Monsters from Cali who were such nice boys and a great team. After nearly 5hrs of baseball in a row with no lunch for anyone it was a relief (at least for me) for the boys to get done. It’s single elimination playoffs, so they’re done for the tournament.

Much to their chagrin, we made them walk alllllll the way over to the Dreams Park sign for a team photo- it’s a literally once in a lifetime trip for them, so we had to get the money shot. (I know the lighting and shadows are pretty bad- but I didn’t bring my off camera flash, and this was the only time of the day we could do the picture. Probably no one cares but me anyway!)Since they’re now done, today’s plans include a big breakfast in town (Doubleday cafe) followed by the Hall of Fame. I will be IN for breakfast for sure, but OUT for the HOF. I’m looking forward to reading my book down by the lake for a few quiet hours. Then it’s closing ceremonies and the championship game tonight.

It’s been quite the baseball immersion for me this week. And although I still feel exactly the same way about baseball as I did coming in (still don’t like it), I do still really like watching the Royals play. They have all come SO far and have become such great  friends. I feel like we have a whole new extended family in the parents and siblings of all the players. There was no bickering at all between them this week, and even after 5 days together nonstop, they are still having such a great time all hanging out together at every opportunity they can get. How amazing is that? And if it’s due to baseball, I’ll still take it.

Much more to come from the whole Cooperstown Dreams Park experience when we’re back home and I have some time to edit the 1300+ photos I’ve taken so far this week. I have some great action shots and I can’t wait to share them with you and our Royals family!!