Sheboygan Brats

I am not the World's Biggest Sports Fan. This generally keeps me out of ballparks. However, I do go occasionally, especially with my friends Gaah and Slick. Both have generously invited me to various ball games in the past couple of months. I saw the Cincinatti Reds play some other team with Gaah. I went with Slick to watch the 49'ers play some other team. Sometimes, prolly a couple times per season, The Group will take the kiddlies and go to see the Giants play at the new park.

This is something I love to do. It's not so much that I love to watch the game, though. I barely do that. I like all the other parts. Especially the beer and brats. That's livin'! I have sat through a whole game without ever knowing who the opposing team was.

Someone once asked me if I have a preference: football or baseball. It's close, because both have things to recommend them. The fact that they both have brats and beer makes the decision dependent on lesser things, like the ambiance. Or possibly even the games themselves.

I have a much better understanding of how baseball is played than football. I played it myself as a kid, and played softball in my 30's and 40's. I also like the park in San Francisco. It is a beautiful stadium. Getting there on the train is a piece of cake, but I especially appreciate the ease with which you can get out. The execution of the Exit Strategy is the single most important aspect of any activity. Duh.

Football is not a game I've paid much attention to, so I'm often mystified by the rules and the subtleties. Football is much more confrontational and violent. The fans are often in each other's faces and pounding on each other. This can be quite entertaining. The game is more violent, too. On the other hand, the stadium is old and run-down. I do like the "No Standing in the Vomitorium" signs, though.

Getting to the stadium and out of the stadium takes a bit more effort than the baseball stadium, but it's still easy as pie. I actually like the mile or so walk to and from the train.

I've had mostly positive experiences at both kinds of ball games. But, once at football game, Slick and I sat next to some Big Fat Mean People. They were in the aisle seats and had us boxed in. We had to get past them to get in our seats, and they made it plain that going back out Would Not Be Appreciated. Slick had me as a sort of DMZ between him and the BFMP's. I was scared stiff since I was sitting next to the Big Fat Mean Lady. That sucked. With a searing Stink Eye and a vicious elbow to the ribs, she also let me know that I Wasn't Allowed to Share the Arm Rest.

We really needed beer, so I climbed over the back of the seats and managed to get out that way. I thought about abandoning Slick (and drinking his beer), but I concluded that that would be Cowardly as well as Low. I climbed back over and sat Quiet as a Mouse for the rest of the game. Big Fat Mean People seem to be less numerous at baseball games. Anyway, that's been my experience.

It's close. I would pick baseball if pressed.