July 13, 2006

Thursday night I went to watch the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts host Youse’s Maryland Orioles at Montgomery Blair Baseball Stadium. The first thing I noticed when I sat in my seat on the third base side was the fire station situated on a hill behind the left field fence. The firemen made their first appearance when they heard the national anthem being played over the T-Bolt’s sound system. Later in the game, the firemen emerged on the hill to take a break and support their team. Everyone knew who they were pulling for.

Despite the attendance being slightly below 100, the hometown spirit was on full display in the form of charismatic 11 year olds. I chatted with four 6th graders from Takoma Park who lean up against the home plate backstop every game and applaud their favorite players. These avid fans, donning Thunderbolts gear from head to toe, know all the T-Bolts players because they attend the team’s baseball camp during the day. David, Lowell, Ted, and Trevor created nicknames for the players; their favorites were “G Money” referring to T-Bolts catcher Gerardo Hernandez and “Yeck Dog” referring to the pitcher Jared Yecker.

I asked the boys what their favorite event was during T-Bolts games. They all agreed that “Races Around the Bases,” where two kids start at home plate and run in opposite directions touching all the bases, was the most exciting. Each had participated in the promotion in the past, but they considered themselves too “mature” and out of shape for the last night’s contest. They mentioned that the coolest thing they have ever done during a game was be the batboy, which gave them the best seat in the house to watch a ballgame and joke around with “G Money.”

The trivia question in the fourth inning was one I thought I had in the bag. The question was, “Who was the first Major Leaguer to have his number retired?” My
guess: The Georgia Peach, Ty Cobb. The answer: Lou Gehrig. I guess my baseball knowledge isn’t what it used to be. I also participated in the T-Bolts’ raffle but my ticket was not a winner. This was not my night for contests but I enjoyed the baseball game and the atmosphere provided by the T-Bolts.

Andy Ireland is the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League's resident ''blog-man.'' This summer he is touring the ballparks of the CRSCBL and recording the coolest parts of the game, both on and off the field. Be sure to check back for the latest Base-Blog! E-mail Andy Ireland.