The Fifteen Inning Game

Here is what i love about where i live. last night i was going to the store around 10 oclock to get some groceries. as always the radio was on 1460 wtkt The Ticket and as i pulled into GIANT the announced informed me the score was 2-2 bottom of the 10th inning. i knew i had to shop quick. by the time i got out it was still 2-2 but now it was the top of twelve. it seemed like Yunior Novoa was throwing some pretty accuate stuff (which is great because he's been slumping). by the time i unloaded the groceries, it was the bottom of 12 and i started to drive towards City Island and Metro Bank Park.

it was 11:15 and as i pulled into my spot Jesus Valdez popped up for the second out. i quickly walked along the path, and the steps and rapidly waked into the stadium. there were two outs, Brad Coon on first and as i finally took a seat a called strike three took all 12 of us spectators to the top of the thirteenth inning.

I was sitting right beneath the center of the scoreboard and was in solid earshot of Jesus Valdez and Brad Coon since wel... no one was there, i was the only guy in an outfield seat, and im sure they could use some amusement. I started to bang my hands on the old bleacher/now railing on the outfield deck. its funnym, of literally any seat in the house i could have choosen i chosen a seat thats free anyways as part of the standing room only price. what can i say, its my favorite spot. i like to heckle opposing outfielders and try to converse with the home guys.

Junior was stil pitching, which kind of surprised me because wel.. from what i've seen and heard from this season, you take an inning without an earned run and you yank him before he gets too wild. nedless to say by the 13th inning stretch it was 3-2 in favor of the Bowie Baysox and their damn bright orange jersey's.

The first batter, i can't remember who, lined out to third and then Chris Marrerro came to the plate. CM was 1-2 with a few sacrafices and a few walks, but unfortunatly it semed his streak of 3 consecutive games with a home-run would stay there. then came the 2-2 pitch. the second it hit the bat you knew it was gone. here it was coming, right overtop of me. now i love homeruns, i love them so much, but never before had one ever come anywhere even close to anywhere near me. but this one shot directly above me, directly above the scoreboard too. i waited, and then i heard it. the ball had hit the barn at the top of the hill beyond the carousel and the train, and hell, even the tree line. i asked the security gaurrd "How far is that?" he replied:

"Well, to the tracks, its 465, and if it hadn't hit the barn i dunno... probably around 500 feet"

And just like that the magic was sustained. in the bottom of the 13th inning Chris marerro's monster shot had extended the tie game... but only for one more inning.

In between the bottom of 13 and the top of the 14th, i recieved a text from Stiz "Magic, Celtics tied at the end of regulation" Thus meaning the Orlando finally decided to show up in these 2010 Eastern Conference Championship, and were finally showing intensity and heart in the possible sweep-clinching game for boston. i decided, what the hell.

"Celtics, Magic Tied at the end of Regulation" i shout to the oiutfield. Brad Coon, the dirt-stained centerfielder yelled back "Really?" i replied "Yup" he said "Keep me posted" i replied "I'm not goin anywhere" he gave me a thumbs up, as did Jesus Valdez, the Left Fielder and proud wearer of the number 24. interesting sidenote, stiz told me the score of the game, which gave me my first personal moment with the harrisburg senators, an individual one on one experience with the home team. last game i went to, i stood in right field, where jesus valdez was playing, last night, left field, where he was again. it was unintentional each time, but he rocks stiz;s number. foor for thought

but i digress.

Juniopr lets two baserunners on and three perfect gap shots later its a different pitcher, a different feeling, and a 7-3 hole. the senators showed life in teh bottom of the 14th, but uinfortunatly down by 4 with runners on first and second with 2 out Jesus grounded out to end the ball game.

I never thought i would leave a 7-3 loss by my team feeling so absolutly sublime and content. but the sens battled for 14 solid innings, they just didn't hit all that well. 11 hits in 14 innings. i dunno, marero and coon did work, but hpefully this little hiccup goes away and they get back to .500 and beyond.

I had a personal experience with Harrisburg Senators... and i got the see the end of a 14 inning game for fre. i love Harrisburg