The Gwinnett Stripers

Take me out to the ballgame... we did just that tonight with a trip down to Coolray Field to see the Gwinnett Stripers take on the Charlotte Knights.  First of all, yes, they used to be called the Gwinnett Braves.  I think this name change was due to the fact that the Atlanta Braves share the same name, which obviously reveals the system they are all a part of.  But perhaps there was some lack of identity with the Gwinnett team.  So there was a contest to rename the team, one involving public input.  The finalist names included the "Sweet Teas," the "Hush Puppies," and the one voted on most:  the "Big Mouths."  This would have been a hysterical name for all the wrong reasons.  People not familiar with fishing would assume that this is a team comprised of athletes that don't know when to shut up.  In a big move, the big office people decided "Big Mouths" wasn't quite a perfect name, removing any sense of democracy from the process.  But in all honesty, as funny as Big Mouths is, the name Stripers is better.  It's not my first choice for a name, but it seems like a decent compromise.  Now if we could only a giant fish in a baseball uniform for a mascot, then we're good, right?

Daddy thought that Madison might not be as interested in the entire game, and there were inflatables nearby to retreat to just in case.  But no, she was right there in the seat, closely following each play and calling balls and strikes for the umpire.  She was asking questions about the rules, and really getting into following the game.  We never went to the inflatables.  

Part of the reason was the game was fun to watch.  The Stripers won 12-0!  The hits just kept coming - they actually had seventeen  hits in this game.  Every single player got a hit, and it was a pretty bad night for Charlotte.  But it was a great night for us:  the temperature was absolutely perfect outside.  There were storms and rain earlier, and that even threatened us tonight, but it cooled down tremendously, and made things so nice outside.  We sat in these great seats, safe from errant foul balls, munched on peanuts - and even shared a gluten-free cheeseburger!  Madison joined everyone in the seventh inning stretch, not familiar with that important pastime of singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," but definitely into it.  And all along the way, we spotted the team mascot here or there.

Get to the Chopper!  So instead of a giant fish in a baseball uniform, we still have Chopper.  I'm not entirely sure he was a representation of the Gwinnett Braves beforehand.  Obviously, we can't have a Native American mascot anymore.  So the next logical choice is... a giant rodent?  He's still a lot of fun, and I'm kidding here.  Madison had a great picture with Chopper a few years ago, and it was a lot of fun back then.

So eventually, the sixth inning ended, and after two pitching changes, the Charlotte Knights found a pitcher that could at least move the game along (although he too gave up a home run and a few more runs).  Still, at least he recorded some outs along the way, after the top of the ninth inning, the team was able to retreat to the locker rooms, utterly defeated.  They scored, to quote the announcer at the game, "nuthin!"  

But the night was not over yet, as this was part of a package deal:  we got to see some incredible fireworks!

Madison said this was the best fireworks she'd ever seen, and we'll agree these were really great.  Obviously, not on the same caliber as a Disney park, but still it was quite a display, and it went on for a good while too.  At the end, everyone cheered - it was a fantastic night at the ball park!