Kids at OPACY without tickets

[Old#5fan]

Driving to the store is 1 billion times more dangerous than sitting in a ballpark.

Uh, unless you live withing walking distance of OPACY don't you have to drive there as well? So what point are you trying to make?

[Old#5fan]

I've been in my current home for nearly three years, and not only do I not KNOW my next door neighbor, I probably wouldn't know he was my neighbor if I ran into him at a store. Don't get me wrong, I am friends with plenty of people on my street, but its just not like the old days (I'm only 34). Where I grew up, townhomes in Shrewsbury, PA, my family and I knew EVERYONE that lives in the 50 or so homes in our development. My how times have changed.

As for the topic of "babies at a ballgame." I have three girls, 13, 12 and 9. We took them to their first game around 5-6 years old or so. In my opinion, it didn't make much sense to take them at a younger age. Not only did they not yet know the game of baseball very well, but I also knew that trying to get them to stay still at a ballgame would be boring for them and take the fun away from the actual ballgame for me. I understand the point by many of you that its a chance to spend time with the kids. I get that and hold nothing against any of you. But to me, at a young age, I would have preferred to play in the yard or go to a park or many other things. I certainly am not advocating oldfan's ideas, but I do agree that a baby (lets say under 2 just for poops and giggles) will probably not get much out of the baseball game itself. Its certainly a fun environment and its a fun family outing, but the child will not remember much of it. My first wife and I took my daughter to Walt Disney World nearly every year from about age 2 until we split at age 8. I can tell you from first hand experience that my daughter does not remember any of the trips until about age 5 or 6. For me, it was lots of fun and I'll always remember the time with her. But for her, not so much. I think in Oldfan's mind, that is his point. I think HE thinks parents are being selfish by taking kids to the games with them. I do not agree that they are selfish. I think every parent will have their own idea of what is right. I do know that by taking my kids at an older age to the ballpark, and when I could explain the game and the ins-and-outs of what is happening and why, they have a great understanding and are developing a love for the game itself that they would not have been able to get at earlier ages. Just my opinion. My wife and I get to about 15 games a year. Just last night I bought 2 9-game season plans for the IronBirds as well. Our plan is to get the girls (again now 13, 12, and 9) to about 3 or 4 Orioles games and then we will split their time at the IronBirds, about three games for each of them. They love the idea as they are now baseball fans. Its a fun family experience that everyone enjoys. I for one would not have done this at any age under 5 though. Again, just my opinion and I am not syaing my way is the right way.

Thank you. Finally someone who understands what I have been espousing here.

[Old#5fan]

There was a baby sitting on a lap behind me Tuesday night. The kid made it through the rain delay and all the way to the 7th before any crying at all.

What a trooper!

I feel sorry for that kid. He should not have been out in that kind of weather simply because his immature parents felt they had to drag him to a ball game.

[Old#5fan]

Nothing wrong with that at all...

I take my kid just because it's something to do with him. Throw it in there with going to Chuck E. Cheese.

I know the kid isn't going to get anything out of it after the amazement of the bright scoreboard lights wears off. He watches the game at home and swings his little plastic bat around but that's about it.

We usually buy cheap seats and go for a couple of innings which is perfect for us. We all get out of the house and have some fun for a little while.

Of course, if I'm going to the game to really watch the game....I'm going to leave my 2 year old at home.

There at last, the truth comes out. I am giving you rep for it!

[Austin]

I know where you're coming from OldFan. Just last week I was at a game and three, count 'em THREE little kids were simply decimated by line drives in my section alone! Blood, guts, the whole shebang. Really a terrible sight.

[Old#5fan]

I took my 3.5 month old to the park yesterday, she loved every second of it. We will go out again today and enjoy the wonderful weather. Babies love getting out and seeing new things outside compared to just inside staring at their parents stimulates their brains and helps them grow.

Apparently Oldfan just wants to raise them in a dark basement in a bubble and then turn them loose on the world when they are old enough to talk.

Take your baby outside in your yard, to the park, etc. if you want as I agree that is mostly a good thing. Again, I just fail to see why they need to be taken to a major sporting event that they get nothing more out of it than a trip to the City Park or playground? You also need to be very careful about a baby getting sunburned. That is where skin cancer that forms later in life originates, from stupid parents letting infants be exposed with their tender skin to the bright sun.

[Miller192]

There at last, the truth comes out. I am giving you rep for it!

What are you talking about?

You know what, it's just better for me to put you on ignore.

[Saintbird]

Why in the world would anyone want to bring a two or even three year old to a baseball game? They would just annoy you and everyone around them to death probably most of the time and be bored out of their minds?

I've been to around a hundred O's games in my lifetime and some of them were from a very young age. 3-4 Months - Current age (13) One time, I'd been screaming at the players telling them what they should and shouldn't do. People would just look down at me and say, "How old is he, he knows more than I do." My aunt would then smile and say, "Two..."

[RedDevil00]

I've read all the evidence from both sides, but I'm still inclined to say that very young children don't need to be at baseball games. However, that's about all I'll say, in the interest of keeping this semi-civilized (though it may be too late for that).

[glenn__davis]

I've read all the evidence from both sides, but I'm still inclined to say that very young children don't need to be at baseball games. However, that's about all I'll say, in the interest of keeping this semi-civilized (though it may be too late for that).

Of course they don't need to be at baseball games. I actually agree with oldfan that they get nothing more out a ball game than going to the park. But there's also absolutely nothing wrong with taking a baby to the game, provided that you keep the baby safe and it doesn't bother the other patrons.

[Dipper9]

I've been to around a hundred O's games in my lifetime and some of them were from a very young age. 3-4 Months - Current age (13) One time, I'd been screaming at the players telling them what they should and shouldn't do. People would just look down at me and say, "How old is he, he knows more than I do." My aunt would then smile and say, "Two..."

Oh, so you were that little brat who wouldn't shut up!

[RedDevil00]

Of course they don't need to be at baseball games. I actually agree with oldfan that they get nothing more out a ball game than going to the park. But there's also absolutely nothing wrong with taking a baby to the game, provided that you keep the baby safe and it doesn't bother the other patrons.

I didn't just mean babies, I meant smaller children as well...but yeah, if you can keep your kids quiet and in their seats, by all means bring them to the ballpark.

[Austin]

I've read all the evidence from both sides, but I'm still inclined to say that very young children don't need to be at baseball games. However, that's about all I'll say, in the interest of keeping this semi-civilized (though it may be too late for that).

Of course they don't need to be. I don't need to be either. Nobody needs to be at a baseball game. There's nothing wrong with bringing a baby to one, though.

[DrungoHazewood]

Pretty sad that I asked a simple question yesterday, got that question answered on page 1, but the thread lives on nine pages later as a tribute to one man's ability as a hijacker par excellence.

[Saintbird]

Oh, so you were that little brat who wouldn't shut up!

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Dipper9 again.