We have finally arrived at the original conclusion – have I had suggestions for additional Commandments in the intervening years? yes. But I think if these simple guidelines for Ballpark Interactions were followed, we would enjoy ourselves a LOT more attending games.
And to the Target Field STAFF PERSON who thought it was funny to deliberately PHOTOBOMB my attempts to get pictures of Pelfrey? No, I was NOT joking when I said “I will take you OUT”… just try me.
I really need to go dig up the bookmarks I made with the Commandments on them so I could have handed him a copy and told him, “if you’re going to work here, study up.”
This is the final installment of the series for the 10 Commandments at a baseball game. For a sport that is 150 years old, I would like to see it continue for at least another 150 years!
10. Thou shalt teach thy children the commandments.
This final commandment is near and dear to my heart. I didn’t discover baseball when I was a child so I had to learn all the commandments the hard way. It may seem counter-intuitive to include children in a discussion of societal rules and structure but the earlier they are exposed to how to work well with their neighbors the more natural it will be for them to respect others. These lessons will carry on into their interactions at school, during other sporting events and at home with the family. How can you argue with that?!
Please, bring kids to the game! Let them enjoy baseball! Let them enjoy the ballpark!
But understand that your unruly four year old kicking the seat in front of them (mine) or fighting with his six year old sister and knocking their soda onto the ground and into the row in front of them (mine) or just in general demanding constant attention, food, potty breaks, and distraction breaks the fundamental concept of respecting the other fans at the game (commandment #2). I have taken more kids to games than I can literally count – I have a huge family and believe it’s a fundamental joy I can provide. So I know what I’m talking about when I say it isn’t just expected that kids should be allowed to do whatever because they’re kids and others should be expected to deal with it. B as in B and S as in S. If you cannot control the kids you are bringing, take them away. It’s your responsibility. You are the adult – supposedly.
But put in that effort! Start early! TEACH THEM! There is nothing more emotive than a kid at a game who gets his/her first foul ball or learning about rally caps or catching that contagious enthusiasm from 35,000 people all screaming at a fantastic game of baseball. I have experienced those exact things with various youngsters and I’ll remember those occasions for the rest of my life – and they have brought new fans to the game each time. This is a gift you can give the children in your life. But again, it’s a privilege – and you BOTH have to earn it.
For those who have lost track of all the Commandments or would like to see them all together and share them, here’s a Powerpoint presentation. Just click and save AND SHARE: Ballpark 10 Commandments or a the PDF
Thanks. Good rules to watch a game by. A couple more:
– Don’t swear. (I know that falls generally under Commandment 2.) The kids three and four rows below you can hear your blue language. Don’t make their parents explain what might be your problem.
– Don’t egg on fans from the other team. Baseball is for lovers. This goes both for home and away fans. I saw stupid Twins fans in Coors Field shouting themselves hoarse and looking around. One of them ended up puking around the 3rd inning. As my brother said, “Way to represent.”
– Cheer on your team once in awhile, especially at home. The ballplayers like chatter; join in. At the very least, don’t look annoyed or surprised when other fans cheer the home team.
Those are all GREAT reminders Craig – and sadly, I’d like to assume that they could be assumed to follow under the existing commandments by the average person – however, you’re right, it never hurts to remind people and if it was more common knowledge, I would need to put this together!