Kids at OPACY without tickets

[Tx Oriole]

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?

Maybe, just maybe the parents want ot go to the game but can't find a baby sitter.

[TonySoprano]

You know if this was a fight, they would have stopped it by now. The name calling on *both sides* is against board rules. I see no point in continuing this free-for-all and suggest a lockdown. My two cents anyhow.

[glenn__davis]

Sure there is:

• Let's say you have a baby.
• Let's say you wanna go to the ballgame.
• Let's say you wanna take your baby with you to the ballgame.

There's you basic reason right there.

Beautifully simplistic, rhack. Nicely done.

We took our two year old to the game when he was about 6 months old. Sat in the bleachers and basically passed him back and forth. He seemed to enjoy it, and it certainly didn't cause a problem for anyone. We didn't go last year becasue we had another child and it was just too much. We may try this year, but we'll probably go to a Keys game as a test run.

I wouldn't sweat what oldfan says too much, because I don't think he actually believes most of it, he just wanted to touch some nerves. But I do think he has one legitimate point in that some parents who take their young kids and sit along the baselines need to pay better attention.

[Dipper9]

The wackier life gets, the harder it gets, I'm sure.

My old Dad talks about how hard it was for him, since he had no clue about how to do it right (his words, not mine), and there was tons of stuff he didn't have to worry about when my siblings and I were kids. For example, once we were 6 or 7, we could all just run around loose all summer, with no worries about anything bad happening to us. There was a boundary defined by certain streets we couldn't cross, and it was a big area, maybe a quarter-mile square. Our folks trusted us to stay within that area, and nobody had reason to worry about anything. Practically every house had a stay-at-home mom in it, and everybody knew who everybody was. These days, I know parents who have no idea who lives 2 blocks over, and who worry all the damn time. I don't see anything about it getting any easier.

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.

[ChaosLex]

Two things.

1. This thread is full of so much win, it's ridulous.

2. We really need to get Old#5Fan his own entry on Urban Dictionary. If SteveOx is worthy of an entry, he is as well.

[rolliefingers]

When I realized the absurdity of his statements, I simply lowered my opinion of his opinion.

You say that like it could have gotten any lower!

This thread is...wow. This should be required reading for anyone who thinks people are generally too hard on OldFan.

[zff4]

More tiny McLovin and other tiny baseball fan pictures please.

[McLovin]

More tiny McLovin and other tiny baseball fan pictures please.

Oh, that cutie is not mine. Just a random internet photo.

[TJ Wrangler]

I normally like your posts but if there is any reason on God's green earth for dragging a baby to a baseball game may a bolt of lightening strike me dead right now.

Some posters here are really mis-interpreting what I am stating here. Of course it is a good thing to spend time with your baby. The more the better. However, until they are at least a year old, spend most of your time with them at home. If you want to go to the ball game get a sitter, or watch it at home while holding your baby. I just think it is ridiculous to take babies where they clearly don't need to be.

Bummer...looks like we lost our golden opportunity there.

Seriously Oldfan, I'm not a parent but even I can comprehend that it's not about the game in this instance. I would assume as a parent (grandparent?) that you would understand that.

[howie14]

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!

[Miller192]

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.

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.

[John Budge]

Arrogance and stupidity are never a good combination.

[Witchy Chick]

I think this may be a generational thing that has changed as today's parents have to be constantly on the go and won't stay home or alter their lifestyle, ergo they drag their kids with them everywhere, necessarily or not! These poor kids are who I feel sad for as thier selfish parents won't give anything up and the kids have to pay for it.

Well, bub, times have changed. I don’t know about any other parents on this board, but I often take my daughter out and about with me. I don’t do that out of selfishness, but rather selflessness. It is good for babies to get out and see the world. Children are stimulated by new sights, sounds, and experiences. As such, I often take her with me when I go to the grocery store, mall, Babies R Us, haircut (for me, not her (yet)), post office, etc. And she simply LOVES seeing new people, places and things.

Ohhhh – and on the subject of "germs" and "unnecessarily handling" baby.......exposure to "germs" is how babies build up immunities. It's hard to believe -- but they actually put measles/mumps/rubella/Hep C/flu/pertussis/yada yada yada "germs" in vaccines. And -- OMG -- give those vaccines to babies!!! Crazy, isn't it??


Witchy

[allstar1579]

Well, bub, times have changed. I don’t know about any other parents on this board, but I often take my daughter out and about with me. I don’t do that out of selfishness, but rather selflessness. It is good for babies to get out and see the world. Children are stimulated by new sights, sounds, and experiences. As such, I often take her with me when I go to the grocery store, mall, Babies R Us, haircut (for me, not her (yet)), post office, etc. And she simply LOVES seeing new people, places and things.

Ohhhh – and on the subject of "germs" and "unnecessarily handling" baby.......exposure to "germs" is how babies build up immunities. It's hard to believe -- but they actually put measles/mumps/rubella/Hep C/flu/pertussis/yada yada yada "germs" in vaccines. And -- OMG -- give those vaccines to babies!!! Crazy, isn't it??


Witchy

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.

[McLovin]

It is good for babies to get out and see the world. Children are stimulated by new sights, sounds, and experiences. As such, I often take her with me when I go to the grocery store, mall, Babies R Us, haircut (for me, not her (yet)), post office, etc. And she simply LOVES seeing new people, places and things.

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.

My god. Please tell me you force plenty of TV watching before and after. Please. The children, think of the children!