Taken out to the Ballgame

We headed to L.A. yesterday afternoon for Grant's Father's Day gift ballgame.  Grant figured this was the first Dodger game he had been to in several decades, but recalled as a kid going with his mom, dad, and brother to many games with a cooler packed with sandwiches and drinks, sitting in the bleachers.

Despite leaving 20 minutes after the kids, we arrived slightly before they did, as they came a different route that turned out to have more traffic troubles. 

The game had already started by the time we got there.  We are looking across the field at our seats on the first base side at field level.

It was pretty toasty in the full sun but we managed to enjoy ourselves, catching a breeze now and then, eating, drinking, and cheering.  A foul ball was hit our way and went right over our heads, bounced off the hand of the guy sitting behind Grant and was knocked into the seat of the lady in front of me, a diehard fan who said it was the first time she ever had a ball hit towards her.  Several kids behind me asked me to "tap the lady" so they could borrow and examine the ball.  Later they asked again, and when handing it back, wanted to know how much she would sell it for.  "Aw, don't say that!", she said.

Grant, son Nick, son-in-law Chris, and daughter Elaine (now sporting red hair) wearing necessary eye protection! We only caught a bit of shade from the stadium lights blocking the setting sun for a few minutes.

Lee DeWyze, 2010 American Idol winner, sang at the 7th inning stretch.  Elaine said he was a favorite of hers and Chris'.  He did a good job of America the Beautiful and received nice applause.

Don't you love this creative use of a cardboard food tray by this young fan?  Lots of other folks simply held up the tray to block the sun.  Though the Dodgers lost (again), it was some good family time and a nice way to spend a lovely summer afternoon.  We were home before full dark and surprisingly not even sunburned.  Thanks for the gift, kids!