scarlet
Member
|
# Posted: 26 May 07 13:49
Reply
I took this picture at a minor league baseball park in San Jose California. I realized it's hard to explain some customs if people aren't familiar. Major League Baseball is big business in the USA, but minor league ballplayers make almost no money, play in small, local parks and hope to make it to the majors. Sometimes they do.
Minor league ball is very popular here. Lots of small, beautiful parks where people can go for a cheap ticket, take the kids, eat popcorn and hotdogs, drink beer, and enjoy a nice night out after work. This park in San Jose (I was there on a business trip) is tiny, only seats a few hundred people. Before every baseball game the National Anthem is sung; this is tradition but people perform all kinds of variation, both serious and comic. We were singing the National Anthem when I took this picture. Note--the net across the picture is behind "home plate" where the batters hit the ball--to protect the people in the stands from being hit by an errant ball.
The kids with the players are little league team members. Every night a different team gets to escort the players onto the field. The police cars, ambulances, etc., were there for a special ceremony honoring rescue workers. This kind of ceremony before a game is common. Between each of the innings there is music, games and contests for the kids, prizes given away to the audience. It's a really enjoyable way to spend an evening out with friends.
What are some of your local customs that might seem unfamiliar to the rest of us? With pictures please!
|
Online now: Guests - 1 Members - 0