Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We've spent a few hours recently watching the Bellingham Bells baseball team. No, they aren't a professional team. This team is made up of a couple dozen scrappy young men who are barely out of high school. But they play with a lot of heart.

Best of all the price of admission can't be beat. Go ahead, pay $25 or $30 to get a ticket to see the Seattle Mariners. You can spend another bundle on food, too.

Or, you can spend no more than $7 for the best seats in the house at Joe Martin Stadium and get a whole hot dog meal, with chips and a drink for $6. Then there are the $2 Tuesday games where a ticket on the first or third base line, right behind the dugout is really only two bucks. Other nights food is offered at big discounts. Recently hot dogs, pop and ice cream was only a dollar.

Then there is the baseball. You get to see some very enthusiastic playing by a bunch of guys who are admittedly still learning the game, but we have seen lots of incredible plays made. Double plays, runners in pickles, terrific leaping catches on line drives and some pretty good pitching.

Enthusiastic, though rather small crowds attend. Lots of between inning action is provided by the young perky staffers who get kids involved in activities like running the bases, racing the chicken mascot across the outfield, and lots more. Foul balls are easily chased down by little ones out in the left field concourse where families can come with a picnic and the kids can run around or watch the game. Standing up to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame at the 7th inning stretch is fun like it used to be.

The action is up close and the players very accessible for kids who want to collect autographs or just get a high five. Plenty of free parking instead of the $10-20 at Safeco and you can get in and out quickly. We're home in ten minutes.

You have got to get out and see these guys play. With only one more game to go in the season and then the playoffs, the season is about done. But they'll be back next year and so will we.