Follow the sun: A day at the ball park

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - People have told me many times they think I have a great job. Saturday I agreed with them. I went to a baseball game on company time.

I followed the sun, starting behind home plate, working my way to third base and finally settling down the left field line. I thought I'd share my thoughts and observations:

My two favorite teams were playing, the Reds and the Indians. I grew up with the Indians. I grew into the Reds.

I listened to my two favorite play-by-play guys, the Reds’ Marty Brennaman and the Indians’ Tom Hamilton, tell stories before the game. I was like a little kid.

Speaking of little kids, a 3-year-old with a buzz cut, sunglasses and a Reds cap sat a few rows in front of me. The back of his shirt read "I hit home runs in my sleep."

A beer vendor standing to my left yelled out "cold beer." A beer vendor to my right yelled "colder beer."

The music between innings ranged from hip-hop tunes I didn't know to "She'll be coming 'round the mountain," which I did know. My mom used to sing it to my baby sisters when she put them to sleep.

Ballplayers are anxious to share foul balls with the youngsters. Often they'll point to a little boy or girl and toss them the ball. One Reds player rolled the ball under the netting and across the dugout for a fan to have. Once the kid got the ball, everyone clapped.

They played Michael Jackson's "I want you back" between innings. The Indians furry mascot in right field led a full section of young people dancing and shaking to the music.  Choreographed? Sure. But it was fun.

Billy Hamilton was bony and baggy in center field. Get Billy a good meal in Louisville.

There was 42-year old Jason Giambi, a Babe Ruth look-alike with spindly legs and a barrel chest. He’s trying to squeeze one more year into his big league career.

There was Drew Stubbs doing what Drew Stubbs does: striking out swinging and then striking out looking. I hope he finds success in Cleveland. He's a real good guy.

A lady in left field was meticulously keeping score of the game. She said she learned it from her dad. They used to go to games together at old Riverfront Stadium. He's long gone and so is Riverfront. She’s continuing their tradition. She thinks of him when she goes to the games.

There were a steady line of picture-takers of all ages waiting for Mr. Redleg. Whoever is under that costume is very patient.

An energetic trio from a fitness center got atop the Reds dugout and did some aerobics to the music of "I'm a man", a great old Yardbirds song.

Only about one out of every ten fans joined the exercise leaders. One of the fans who did was Susie Castellini. Her husband Bob owns the team.

The players who leave the game early go to the outfield corners and run laps along the warning track while the game is still in progress. Only at Spring Training.

The music would play "Everybody clap your hands" and on cue, the fans would beginning clapping.  It reminds me of the animated clapping hands on the old scoreboard at Riverfront.  Fans just need a little prompting.

Some buffoonish Ohio State fans (are there any other kind?) started singing and spelling out O-H-I-O when they played "Hang on Sloopy." They tried to get others involved. Fortunately very few followed their lead. This wasn't an Ohio State football game.

Yeah, I went to Ohio University.

There was a noisy and joyful game of wiffleball being played in an open field that runs alongside the stadium. One little boy whacked the ball and kept running round and round the bases. Then he reversed directions, Jimmy Piersall-style. Probably hasn't stopped yet.

Note to self: Bring a blanket next year. The hillside in the outfield was covered with families on blankets. There was one young couple getting a little amorous. Get a room! 

Since I was on the clock, I bought a $5 Diet Coke, but I sure wondered what that $7 beer tasted like.

An Indians player named Cord Phelps hit one over the wall. Wonder if I'll ever hear the name Cord Phelps again?  Wonder if his given name is Corduroy?

Random thought: If the Indians leave camp without Cord Phelps, would you say the Cleveland team went Cord-less?

The Indians beat the Reds for the second day in a row. Didn't matter. It's Spring Training.

Yeah, some times this is a really good job. Don't tell the boss.

Follow the Reds up until Opening Day via WCPO.com's Spring Training coverage .