4/5/10 @ Miller Park *2010 Opener*
Well, the 2010 season is finally upon us.
After grabbing some breakfast, we took the walk down into “the valley.”
My 1st official (regular-season) view of Miller Park…
…peeking above the trees in the background.
A peaceful walk to the stadium…
…was about to get rowdy…
Do you see what the girl in the yellow is holding in her left hand?
Nothing like a little “brown-baggin” at 9 in the freakin’ morning.
Opening Day in Milwaukee is a total drunkfest. Actually, it deters many of Milwaukee’s best fans from attending. For fear of being puked on, annoyed or just harassed.
Not this fan…
…can you tell by the picture that I’m a tad over my playing weight?
Yeah, so I’ve gained 10 pounds over the long and cold Wisconsin winter. So what.
It’ll be gone by May.
Moving right along.
I took the following picture…
…because it shows two girls toting full cases of beer (the one on the left has it in her right hand/the one on the right has it propped up on her right shoulder).
I’m certain the cases weren’t full for much longer.
Here’s a great photo capturing the true spirit of teamwork…
…two girls sharing the load of a tightly-packed cooler.
My guess is: it wasn’t full of bottled water.
Do you see the guy (above) with the “CUBS SUCK” shirt?
Those things are everywhere. It doesn’t matter that the Cubs weren’t even playing here today.
It’s just the way it is around here.
Personally, I’ll never root against another team. I only root for my team.
It’s no secret I dislike the Chicago Cubs (see “CUBS SUCK” ball). But, I’ll leave that type of display for other fans.
On a serious note…
…this might turn out to be my favorite picture of 2010.
That, my friends…is what the old ballgame is all about.
Alright, enough of the serious stuff…
…more partying…
I told you Opening Day in Milwaukee is ridiculous.
When we reached the ballpark…
…the clock read 10:35 am.
The gates to the stadium were opening at 11:10am.
When we were making our way to the outfield side of the stadium, I ran into this guy with his homemade sign…
…and the other side…
…I’ll add nothing further.
The guys from the local sports talk radio show were broadcasting their show live…
…so, I stopped and said “hello” to my guy Sparky (seated far right with headset).
Here’s my 1st official view (looking through the glass) of the field in 2010…
…hooray for BP!
When I finally grabbed a spot in line…
…I ran into these three guys.
Pictured left to right: Ballhawk Matt, “The Maniac” and Ballhawk Casey.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. “The Maniac” is by far the Milwaukee Brewers #1 Fan.
It’s not even an argument.
When the gates opened, we went straight to our seats…
Normally, I would play lefty/righty and constantly be on the move.
Not today.
Here I am with yellow shirt and arms crossed…
…crossed arms are not a good sign.
I did not have a play on a single ball in BP. I didn’t ask for any baseballs, either. Hell, I barely moved from my seat.
No big deal…it’s never been about the BP ball.
It’s all about the game home runs (to each his/her own is what I say).
Unfortunately, none of those were hit to me either.
Brewers lost 5-3.
2010 BALLHAWKING STATS
- 0 total balls 4/05/10
0 batted baseballs
0 tossup baseballs
2010 TOTAL BASEBALLS
4/5/10 = 0 baseballs
The Happy Youngster...Brew Town's Ballhawk 
Excellent. Welcome home, good sir.
-Todd
I could use some baseball
Hey Nick,
Great blog. Good luck to you and the Brewers this year. I’m visiting Chicago this summer and was wondering if you had any specific spots at Wrigley or US Cellular that are particularly good for snagging.
Game on Happy, good luck this season.Welcome back brotha…D
http://baseballsnatcher.mlblogs.com/
Guess who’s back…..back again! Welcome back Nick! I am dying to get out to the ball park. Six more days.
Leigh
Good luck in this season.
I saw Stewart HR on the Opening Day and saw you shirt for a second. 🙂
And on the next day Weeks launched a HR into your seat.I hope you were there to snag it.
Congrats on the Baby, will your child be named Paul, Robin, or Prince? Miller Park Pregame looks great, wish I could go when the Texas Rangers come to town this year.
-Frank
http://texas4baseball.mlblogs.com/
You guys that put your familes above ballhawking sicken me! Just kidding of course. Opening Day at Target Field is tomorrow and the town is abuzz. They did a nice job with the new park. I hope to score one ball.
My homie Jose Mijares will probably hook me up. I am going to miss Carlos Gomez. His bat discipline was frustrating, but he was fun to watch. J.J. Hardy has been a nice add so far for the Twins.
I have tickets for all 3 opening series games and am even staying downtown for the two noon games. I haven’t decided how much ballhawking I will do this year. I have a feeling that old habits will die hard and I will probably do a fair share.
Trevor Hoffman is looking rough! Ouch. I have my tickets already for the two Brewers/Twins night games in June. Since the Brewers classified the Twins as a Marquee opponent those seats I sat in last year are a 195 bones! I got front row tickets above the visitors dugout for only $100 each. I bought them months ago. The season ticket holder that sold them must not have known they were going to face for almost double that.
Any trips up here planned?
Big Glove Bob
Great entry! I am in full agreement on the “family” issue. That’s why I am so glad to have a daughter that’s into baseball, and I’m sure Todd would attest to that too. When your kids are bigger and you start taking them to games, brotha you just wait! THAT is awesome! Congrats again on your next child, and good luck with your future games!
Brian
Todd…
It’s good to be home.
Texas4baseball…
ditto.
Wlarusso…
Thanks.
As far as good spots at Wrigley, it’s pretty tough. I’ve pretty much always sat in the bleachers for game home runs. The Cell, on the other hand, is pretty jumpin’ during BP over in left field. Just make sure you get there right when BP begins.
D…
Thanks bro!
Leigh…
Yeah, baby! You and me both!
Rase…
Stewart’s HR was an absolute bomb. As for the Weeks, I wasn’t there that night. Actually, another Milwaukee ballhawk who I give tickets to caught it in my seat!
Frank…
that’s funny.
Come on up to Milwaukee to visit!
Bob…
You are hilarious, as usual. I’m planning on coming up for 1 game sometime this summer. Just don’t know when yet. I’ll keep you posted.
Brian…
I could be mistaken, but you and I are among the only “family-men” in the ballhawk league?!?
Is that accurate?
“Happy”
Don’t forget about Todd Cook.
Thanks a lot. I’m always at the ballpark when it opens so that shouldn’t be a problem. I’m behind home plate on the field level at wrigley so hopefully that could create some game opportunities.
BRIAN-
I’m actually not in the Ballhawk League…but I am a “family man” like you and Happy.
-Todd
http://cookandsonbats.mlblogs.com
TODD —
I’m not technially in the ballhawk league either. I just consider myself a member by proxy!
Brian
When’s your next game, dude? I keep looking for you on Brewers highlights on ESPN!
~Matt
http://bloggingboutbaseball.mlblogs.com/
TODD…
BRIAN…
You are both #1 in my book! Both as Dads AND as ballhawks.
MATT…
Nice hearing from you.
My wife is expecting our 3rd child any day now. So, it’s going to be quiet for awhile.
My next game most likely will be at Wrigley Field vs. the Marlins.
Until then…
“Happy”