New York, New York!!! (The Countdown)

As many of you may have guessed right now, I'm catching up on some unfinished business. I haven't even talked of the ballparks we visited earlier this 2008 baseball season. However, the excitement is just getting too great...

The plane tickets are purchased, the game tickets arrived by FedEx the other day and I finally found a decent deal in midtown Manhatten in a hotel that is safe and sound enough for me and my five-year old boy (while I'm trying to do this on minimal budget, the YMCA was sold out all over NYC and so only if I was willing to swing down to New Jersey could I find anything for less than $250/night).

Yes, it's a double-header in New York City. Friday night at Shea Stadium and Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. The fact that this is the last year for both stadiums pushed a wish into a reality (thanks to a loving wife) and I am already grateful. I think Diana and I both felt a little guilty for leaving Oweghn home when we went to NYC last fall, so this will more than make up for it (and Diana gets a small taste of what it will be like for Daddy to take the boys away on weekends while she relaxes with good books and relaxation, although Kelan is staying with Diana...). This will be a whirlwind trip, flying in Friday morning and flying out Sunday evening, but Oweghn and I have plenty to do. A friend will take us to the top of the Empire State Building, a ferry will take us to see the Statue of Liberty and a diet of hot dogs and cotton candy awaits 3000 miles away.

The big concern is that Oweghn just started kindergarten this week and he will not only be missing a full day (I know, kindergarten, big deal), but will also be getting back late on a school night and will probably implode sometime Monday (I'm guessing during soccer practice which should make it pretty interesting for me as a coach). Nonetheless, it will be worth it, and this will be the first trip like this for me and Oweghn alone. So, armed with iPod and iPhone and the video camera, we are counting down the days to departure (9/11 :-I).

This is better than Christmas...

Year 1: Genesis

2003

This year I became a Dad, and it was one of those moments, those happenings that nothing in life really can prepare you for. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing you get the opportunity to help shape a life, define a person, develop a personality.


I was slow to develop a fondness for the game of baseball. I rather enjoyed the activity and adrenalin of other sporting events. However, with a family in tow, I took another look at baseball. It's leisurely play, occasional highlights and family-friendly atmosphere took on a new meaning for me and I saw opportunity.

As I looked down at the smiling face of my young son, Oweghn LeClair, I set a goal for the two of us: to visit every Major League ballpark by the time he turned 18. Given baseball's leisurely nature, that may seem an aggressive goal, but it seemed fitting and it seemed like it would be a fun endeavor to take on together, as a family.

Note: This blog is not endorsed by Major League Baseball (I'm sure they don't even know about it).