Baltimore, MD (April 4, 2011) - Orioles 2011 Opening Day

Sofia just turned two a couple of months ago and today she attended to her first MLB Opening Day.

I knew this Opening Day experience was going to be unique. The weather in DC has finally started to warm up after some crazy spring snow fell last week. Sofia has been begging to go the park every day. This morning I asked her if she meant to say the baseball park and she confirmed in spanish that yes she wanted to visit the baseball park: "parque...parque de beisbol!" (We are really trying to make her bilingual).

As expected, Baltimore was mobbed with Orioles fans. Who can blame them? Their 3-0 start is the best since 1997. Could this be a new Baltimore Orioles team?

The Orioles got on the score board in the 2nd inning with Matt Wieters stealing home on Porcello's wild pitch. The Tigers responded by tying it up in the 3rd.

Sofia was excited to be back in the ballpark. She hammed it up for the fans in the stands and cheered the O's on as she bounced from step to step out if her seat.

By the 4th inning Sofia was ready for a change of atmosphere. We headed to the Orioles' kiddie area (which honestly leaves much to be desired in comparison to the carnival rides at the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Field) where she discovered a small moon bounce where she spent most of the 5th inning which featured Brian Roberts nailing a three-run homer to the right field stands where we were seated. As the inning finished up, Wieters singled to add another run giving the Orioles a 5-1 lead that they would hold for the rest of the game.

Luckily for dad, the park had strategically placed a monitor in perfect view by the moon bounce so I did not miss a single play.

Back in the day I would have been frustrated missing the best part of the game, but today I confirmed a new source of enjoyment at the ballpark: spending time watching Sofia enjoy a baseball game in her unique way as a two-year-old little girl.

The game was not a complete loss. We returned to our seats in time for "God Bless America", "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", and "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (the Orioles 7th inning staple). Sofia sang and danced during the 7th inning stretch and we watch the Orioles beat the Tigers 5-1 and taking their record to 4-0. Much better than the last time we were there to finish up our "30 Ballparks and a Baby" tour in 2009.

I don't remember my first Opening Day, but will certainly always remember this one with my daughter.

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Washington, DC (March 31, 2011) - Washington Nationals Opening Day: Braves vs. Nationals

The 2011 MLB Opening Day finally arrived, but the Washington, DC weather did not get the memo. The day started off with sprinkles and turned into a balmy 41 degrees. Sofia was looking forward to a little baseball, but because of a cold and an un-cooperating mother nature, her Opening Day will be delayed. But the 30 Ballparks and a Baby family was not shutout. Dad weathered the storm and got unprecedented access to the pregame ceremonies.

Upon arrival at Nationals Park, dad hit the field just in time to catch the Braves take batting practice. It was like “déjà vu all over again” from the Turner Field visit in 2009 (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=119552&id=122793954504).

The pregame ceremonies began with the induction of legendary sportscaster James Brown, former Redskin and radio personality Brian Mitchell, and ½ of PTI Michael Wilbon, among others, into the Washington DC Hall of Fame. The induction was followed with roaring cheers as Nats fan favorite, Ryan Zimmerman, received his 2010 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger award.

In contrast to Zimmerman’s cheers, recently inaugurated DC Mayor, Vincent Gray, received deafening boo’s as he kicked off the Nationals’ 2011 season with “Play Ball”. With the response that Mayor Gray received, he is going to have a tough four years and I hope his self-inflicted misfortunes are not those of the Nationals.

The Nationals hit the field behind their off-season prize, Jason Werth, and their two veterans, Livan Hernandez and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriquez. The 36-year old Livan pitched his 4th Opening Day for the Nationals, his 9th career Opening Day. Pudge posted his 2,500 career game and 20th consecutive Opening Day start.

Werth, Herndandez, Pudge and the rest of the Nationals played a great game. Jason Werth got on base in his first at bat as a National, but the Braves just had a tad more juice on this day. The Braves scored early with a Brian McCann single that scored future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones in the first inning and in the second inning, Jason Heyward hit a solo homer. The 39,055 fans in attendance watched the Nationals lose 2-0, but from Coach Riggleman down, everybody agreed that the Nationals played exceptionally well.

With this competitive team that was assembled in the off-season and haven watch their Opening Day, the Nationals should have a solid 2011 Season.

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Sofia dials up two wins for the Nationals

March 28, 2010 - The Nationals have had a tough time getting wins during this 2010 Spring Training; prior to March 20, 2010 their record was 3-13. We went to the Nationals play two games, and I don’t know what it was, maybe Sofia’s call, but they won both games.

On Sunday, March 21, 2010, we went to Jupiter, Florida to visit the Roger Dean Stadium, home of the Florida Marlins who hosted the Washington Nationals. We were torn on whom to root for since we are originally from South Florida but now the Nationals are our home team.

The Nationals came into this game ready to win! One of our favorite former Marlins and now Nationals, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, was in the line-up. First Baseman, Chris Duncan, who since this game has been cut, started the game with a solid double that put the Nats on the board first. The 6^th inning was hot, and both the Nats and the Marlins went on a tear scoring four (4) runs each. Although the Nationals escaped the inning still in the lead, 7-6, the old Nats started to appear, as they seemed to lose focus on the game. Luckily, at the end, the Nationals, with their solid hitting, beat the Marlins, 9-7, adding another win to their poor Spring Training record. Check out Facebook for pictures of the Nationals vs. Marlins, March 21, 2010

The next day, March 22, 2010, we drove north to the Space Coast Stadium in Veira Beach to see the Nationals take on the Mets. The Nationals picked up where they left off the day before. In the first inning Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo homer and then in the second inning Josh Willingham homered. Zimmerman was not done; he homered again in the 5^th inning giving the Nationals a solid lead that they would hold to beat the Mets 7-5. Check out Facebook for pictures of the Mets vs. Nationals, March 22, 2010

This weekend the Nationals picked up two wins to improve their record to 5-13. The one positive thing for the Nationals and their poor Spring Training is that they have had the opportunity to get a good look at their players. Remember last years Spring Training; the Nationals had a much better record 15-17, although still under .500, they ended up losing over 100 games. Hopefully this year, with such a poor Spring Training record they will be able to improve their regular season play, win some more games and prevent having the league’s worst record

Good Luck Nats and we look forward to seeing you play this season.

Read more at: www.30ballparksandababy.com

Home SAFE!

Our tour of 30 ballparks with our baby Sofia ended on October 2, 2009. Our return home was bitter-sweet. Sure its great to sleep in your own bed, but the memories of the tour of a lifetime will forever remain as an important part of the history of our family. This creates a bit of nostalgia. Our 90 day-plus road-trip saw us through the most beautiful scenery our country has to offer. How else can you watch a meteor shower in the Utah Arches, literally walk on glass over the Grand Canyon cliffs, go fishing for Salmon in Seattle all while taking in the American past time at each home team turf? OK. It wasn't all fun and games. This trip was work. From the planning to the posting of journals to the driving, diaper changes, feedings, while conducting interviews with the media and potential employers, our tour was a journey of self-discovery. Here you had three people, mom, dad and a 4-month old taking on a trip of a lifetime. For us it was about discovering each other and spending every waking moment with our new baby. Could we survive as a couple spending 24/7 together? We did it!

Judy, Roberto and Baby Sofia

See how we did it: www.30ballparksandababy.com