Let's Go, Rangers!!

Thanks to the Texas Rangers playing in the World Series last year, Austin has become an AVID lover of all things baseball!  He's into it so much so that every day at home is filled with the sport.  A typical day at home we are doing the following:

• Batting practice: Scott or me pitching while Austin hits the ball.  Something a typical 3-year old isn't usually good at, but he IS!
• Catch: Us tossing the ball and Austin trying his best to learn how to catch them.   

Last year was our first time as a family to go to the Texas Ranger's Ball Game and it was a great experience.  Now that Austin's older, into baseball (Rangers' especially), and actually loves playing - as well as watching it on TV - we couldn't wait to go again! 

On Monday, after worrying over rain and the infamous fickle Texas Spring weather, we headed out to the baseball field.  Austin - as well as Scott and I - were so excited to take him this year.  We know it's just going to get better and better as he grows up.  I think this is our new tradition - baseball games with the family! 

Here is Austin's expression at seeing the Ballpark In Arlington:

I swear I could watching this video every day.  Makes me smile every time!

 FAMILY PHOTO! 

 <3 <3 <3  

Our seats!

Again, like last year we sat out in the bleachers section, since it's (1) more family friendly, (2) cheap ~$37.00 for all 3 tickets!, & (3) near the Sports Park.  We will probably continue to sit in this section until Austin is much older. 

 I love going to the Ranger's ballpark, it's a beautiful field both inside and out, but now that I'm a parent - I love the amenities they have for kids/families.  So like last year, we arrived around 5:00 for the 7pm game only because the Kids area opens up 2 hours before the game and we knew Austin would be all into it... and well, honestly, we wanted to avoid the obnoxious kids that would later arrive with their parents and pretty much tackle any little kid that stood in their way to get in line!  The Kids area I'm referring to is the Sports Park behind Center Field.  It's an interactive area that has wiffle ball, tee-ball cages, pitching zones, picnic tables and a chance to have a temporary tatoo placed.  It is such a fun place and it was hard, once the game started to pry Austin away from the area to actually WATCH the baseball game HaHa!  We did have to go to an area nearby to 'play catch', as Austin puts it, since he wanted to play with the Ranger's so bad. 

waiting in line patiently for his turn at bat

HOME RUN!!

He was actually SO good - yes, I'm gloating, but really have you seen him hit a ball!?!?! - that strangers were amazed and asking us how old he was.  When we said "3", they were shocked!!  We were probably in the kids area for the whole 2 hours watching Austin play baseball.  Poor kid wants to be on the Rangers So bad!  One day, son!

We did manage to walk around the ballpark while the Rangers & White Sox were practicing before the game and, man, did we get lucky!!  While watching the White Sox practice in the outfield, Austin was standing with some other kids who were much older (at least 10+) begging for the players to throw a ball their way. 

Well, a nice White Sox player - who sadly we don't know his name - turned around and heard all the kids screaming, "THROW THE BALL!  THROW THE BALL!" and other stuff.  He spotted Austin and walked over and tossed the ball at Scott and then nodded his head towards Austin.  It made our day. . . & Austin's!! 

With Austin being a huge baseball fan we actually were able to watch the WHOLE game - minus a few times of needing to play catch in the Sports Park for a few minutes - as a family!  It was such a nice evening and we all had a great time!  Scott and I were teary eyed when Josh Hamilton hit his first home run since coming back from being injured and it was amazing!!  Everyone was cheering, there were fireworks going off and Austin was soaking it all in - having the time of his life.  Magical!!!

waiting on a ball 

CHEERING AFTER A HOME RUN! 

How Austin spent the last few innings. . . on Daddy's shoulders 

We had such a blast & can't wait to go back!  On Monday, my parents are taking us to their tour so we know Austin is going to be so PUMPED about that!  He was begging to go on the field and on Monday - he should be able to :-)  That post will be posted sometime next week, so stay tuned