Celebrating the end of my studies

Atlanta Braves logo

So yesterday (Friday May 3) was my final day of studying at Candler School of Theology.  I had one final paper to submit and one exam to sit.  To celebrate Janet and Will (a lady and her son from church) offered to take me to my first ever baseball game.  It was the Atlanta Braves vs. the NY Mets which I was told was always a good match and a close rivalry.  As Will is studying to be a sports broadcaster and works for a local sports radio station we had access to the media parking behind the stadium and great seats behind the batter.  The weather wasn't predicted to be great which would have been a problem as we weren't under cover, but thankfully apart from a few spells of misty, it was generally ok, and not too cold.

  We arrived early enough for us to be able to walk around the stadium and also go to their museum which gave a lot of information on the Braves, including how the franchise started in Boston, before moving to Milwaukee and finally Atlanta in 1966.  We then returned to our seats and ordered what I am told is traditional baseball fare - a foot long hot dog, fries and Coke in a souvenir cup.  What is even better is that you don't have to leave your seats as people will take your order and then deliver where you are sitting!

Braves Pitcher Mike Minor

  I've never been a fan of football and rugby games in the UK being played on a Friday night as I've always liked Saturday afternoon sports.  However, there was a special atmosphere there with everyone coming at the end of the week, especially as I knew I had no studying to do the following day!  I can only imagine what it would have been like if the sun had been shining and the ground full.

The Braves in the field

  The Braves did not get off to a good start, after the first two innings they were 3-0 down.  For those who don't know (and to be honest, I didn't know until last night!) a team's innings lasts until 3 of their players are out; and the teams each get 9 innings.  However, as the game progressed the Braves started picking up runs and prevented the Mets from getting any more.  One interesting tradition is the "Seventh Innings Stretch" where, between the two teams 7th innings there is a break and the crowd all stand and join in singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" as a break for all people.  There are a number of stories about where the tradition began, but one suggests that a US President was at a game and was needed to stretch his legs so stood up, and all the crowd felt they should do likewise!

  Back to the game and by the end of the 8th innings the Braves were 5-4 up.  It meant that, as the Mets were batting first, if they could just get the 3 Mets batters out without conceding they would win the game without having to bat again.  The momentum seemed to be with the Braves.  They had just hit a home run to get the 5-4 advantage and the crowd were pumped up.  However, afte
r getting the first man out David Wright came in to bat.  Apparently he was the Mets' best player and had been getting abuse from some lads sitting along from us all night.  He hit a home run which levelled the scores.  So, after getting the next two men out, the Braves had to bat again; but they failed to get any runs, meaning an extra innings.  In that innings, the Mets ran away with it by getting two runs and not conceding any.  It was a disappointing end to the game as far as we were concerned, but it was an exciting game to watch and a great atmosphere of which to be a part.  It did also have a positive end as they had Friday Night Fireworks which were pretty impressive.  All in all, a great way to celebrate finishing my academic studies, and a brilliant start to my Georgia holiday!

In the concourse area of Turner Field