AMEN!!!!!!!

Did they play God Bless America at the Saturday and Sunday games? Last I checked 9/11 happened more than 3 years ago, it is about time we give up the phony patriotism. (Just my opinion).

Yes, watching the game last night was truly the joy of my week. I'm over in Iraq, so i don't get to watch the games on TV much, its nice to see a game thats not all broken up and crappy... even though i love MLB.TV. When Johan got into his groove, you could just feel it... All the way over here... it was an awesome feeling. more than once, people within a 5 block area of me heard sound of "siddown bitch"... but i have to say, doing the "CHARGE" cheer over here is kinda a lonely thing... but i give it my all every chance i get.

As the Twins' London representative in their quest for global domination, or at least for a fourth straight AL Central crown, I've been a bit baseball starved as the English media declined to cover spring training at all, instead focusing 24 hour coverage on the Royal Wedding (Commentator 1: Do you see Camilla as the new Diana? Commentator 2: No, but the Queen looks frumpy today...ad infinitum). Imagine then the happy sounds coming from my flat when I found out that the Twins were playing in the one televised game of the week here. Now, I would have stayed up until 1.30 AM to see the Twins play either way, but imagine the double happy sounds I made when I saw that one Johan K. Santana was on the mound, only to see him spot the BitchSox a couple runs. I was unworried, but when the ESPN commentators decried the lack of K', I could see that Johan tooks this a bit personally, and responded with a passel of "Sientate hijo puta"s, vanquished the BitchSox, and made it ok that I hit the sheets at 4.30, only three hours before I had to get up for work. Now, if only he could do something about the Queen's frumpy face...

Wow, a London rep and someone in Iraq. Shows that Twins Territory isn't confined to the five-state area. As far as I know, I'm the Pres, VP, Treasurer and lone member of the southern France Twins Fan Club.

Actually, I was writing to ask where we could get a witch-doctor to take this voodoo hex off of Mourneau. Next time you're in the Dome, look around and if you see someone sticking pins into a Mourneau bobblehead, tackle that man.

Allez, Allez, Allez (et merci a la femme chauve-souris pour le site hautement amusant)
Win Twins!

And to Tinger over in Iraq: Keep your head down.

I just learned yesterday that my sister-in-law is supposed to get sent over in June. I don't think she's been to a baseball game willingly in her life, but I think that she could yell charge on cue.

While I'm on a posting binge ... I have a good friend from Boston that has been going down to spring training for two weeks every year over the last 10 years or so to follow the Red Sox around. She sent me a note this year to let me know that after a decade of Grapefruit league action, she has decided that the Twins have hands down the nicest fan base. I guess some people would consider that a weakness, but it made me smile.

You want to be nice AND play hard (AND catch the damn ball - right on BG).

Win Twins.

Gee, those manager interviews are always so revealing.

I mean, Ozzie Guillen hopes his team plays better defense this year.

And Ronald Clyde hopes Silva isn't hurt too badly.

Surely you couldn't live without these dugout exclusives!

Shame for suggesting otherwise!

Now, about those interviews by Sam Horn What's Her Name, they're evil.

Thanks for taking some time to help the defense Batgirl, it is appreciated! I thought maybe the team had played electricity tag in the clubhouse before the game and LeCroy simply forgot they were not playing any more?

I agree 100% about the wave. That was cool in 1989, but come on, you don't see Arseniooooooooooo Hall anymore either do you? (Those poeple over there are people who like to do the wave at Twins games. WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP) If you come to the game, come to watch the game.

Batgirl, I want to express my thanks to you for staying up late Saturday night and setting the Twins straight. Sometimes a little tough love is in order, and you did an admirable job with the sharp talkings-to and the fielding practice. Obviously, it worked and last night's game was a blast to watch. Good old Torii, good old Johan. I just wanna give 'em a big old hug.

Nice to see the international contingent here-- I wish you all many clear Twins broadcasts this season.

Three down, 78 to go. Here's hoping desperately for a Lee Greenwood-free home season!

Ah, simple pleasures...like having the entire 7th Inning Stretch to actually stretch, rather than sit down prematurely and sulk over my scorecard.

The first baseball team* I remember The Wave being associated with was the '84 Tigers. Which would mean that it's at least 21 and old enough to drink. Possibly someone could get it drunk during before the game so it would pass out.

More likely it would just start at inappropriate times to the embarrassment of those sitting around it. Kinda like now. Never mind.

* In England, where it seems to be equally disliked, it's called the Mexican Wave and I imagine it's been going around the Azteca since they were playing that game where you put the ball through the hoop**.

**No, I meant tachtli, the other game where you put the ball through a hoop.

The first baseball team* I remember The Wave being associated with was the '84 Tigers. Which would mean that The Wave is at least 21 and old enough to drink. Possibly someone could get The Wave drunk during before the game so it would pass out and sleep through the game.

More likely The Wave would just get sloppy and start at inappropriate times to the embarrassment of those sitting around it. Kinda like now. Never mind.

* In England, where it seems to be equally disliked, it's called the Mexican Wave and I imagine it's been going around the Azteca since they were playing that game where you put the ball through the hoop**.

**No, I meant tachtli, the other game where you put the ball through a hoop.

Oh great. First ass bats, then ass gloves and now ass posts.

Sorry. Charge me an error and call me Dr Strangeglove.

Thank you, Batgirl, for setting our defense straight. Because someone had to do it before Just Beth went completely and totally insane and took up cheering on lacrosse!

I really don't hate the wave. I guess it's never interfered with my score-keeping duties, so it's okay. There are many cheers that go back years and decades and probably centuries; consider the wave another one of those.

Towards the end of the game Sunday, the WCCO announcers commented that the White Sox were starting to look defeated. My dad and I looked at each other and said, "Wasn't that their problem all of last year? When they'd get behind they'd assume they couldn't win?" We love the fact that until the last out or run is recorded, the Twins don't give up.

I'm really hoping that Justin and Carlos both get positive news today from their doctors.

*sigh*

I too wanted the moral high ground. But it is early.

Highlight of opening weekend: Newmie's still got his feilding skillz.

That's hilariously right on. Boo AJ? Because we traded him for Vice President Nathan? Wasn't he the only Twin to score against the Yankees in the last playoff game in '03? (I did shout out a couple of Boo Yas to him.)

From the bleachers Jason Bartlett looks like he's 5'1". And I told people that watching Michael Cuddyer would be like watching the second coming of the bouncy-chested Ron Coomer. At least Cuddyer's got a rocket arm when he finally finds the ball, I suppose. Too bad he has to throw to Matthew "Cut Off Man" Le Croy.

BG, I wore my Sit Down shirt all Saturday and most of Sunday, even to Rainbow more or less accidently. I had to explain for the hundredth time to my wife and 3 daughters how the White Sox "whine" and "moan" all the way to their spots on the bench after President Santana and VP Nathan strike them out. I went to the Jo and Joe Show last night. The ladies wouldn't accompany me if I wore the shirt, but it had done its work and I enjoyed watching many complaining White Sox sit down.

If Bartlett grew a goatee and wore sweat bands on each wrist, I could grow to love him.

Thank you, Batgirl, for doing your best to whip our guys into shape, and then writing about it. I, for one, can only focus on one sport at a time, and that's basketball for now (not likely much longer), and I appreciate your take on things so much more than the Strib or ESPN guys'. I just found you this morning, but I'll be back!

Actually, Bat-Girl, I think that drumline from Rosemount played an all percussion version of Greenwood's trailer park anthem. I myself have vivid memories of the first time the song was played, at the first game after 9/11/01, and Dennis Hocking pumping his fist. HE was proud to be an American, you could just tell. I realized with a sickness in my stomach that every time I want to a ball game for the next three years, I'd be subjected to that song.

It's called the Mexican Wave in Europe since the Europeans picked it up at the '86 World Cup, where the virus had already spread down from the US. I agree that it seems to have started in the US around '84.

Well at least we have boom-boom sticks :)

Seriously though, great game last night and I was happy to be able to watch it. Of course, I am able to listen to Twins games on the XM, but there is no substitute for the live feed. Was good to see your boys all made it back from Spring Training ok (minus some equipment failure I have been reading about).

We remain on course for an ALCS matchup and I am looking forward to it. Good luck this week.

YankeeFan

BG,
Your strikeouts picture needs a couple of backwards "J's".

YF--after getting in an argument with a Bitch Sox fan, I've come to an understanding of Yankees fans. It's easy to be arrogant (or come across as arrogant) when you are convinced that your team will triumph, just like always, despite early setbacks. Yeah, the Bitch Sox took the series, but it's April. They're always good in April. And the always fade as the season wears on. The Twins will win, b/c that's what the Twins do. (Though without the moral highground, they aren't really the Twins. We need the moral highground)

Now, substitute the word "Red" for the word "Bitch" and "Yankees" for "Twins" and, well, it still works (though not as much after last fall).

Just to insure I'm not misunderstood-I'm not condemning you or Yankees fans in this post, just noting the similarities b/w the two rivalries and how easy it is to dismiss a competitor b/c they always lose and your team always wins.

-TBird41

Of course the Yankees have been winning for 100 years or so, so the Twins have a way to go ;)

TBird,

I appreciate your attempt to understand the Yankee fans. I like to think that I try to take winning seasons like losing seasons (because, through the misfortune of being born late enough that my fondest early memories are of our own "sucking time" -- no complaints though). That is, Opening Day is a sign that anything can happen. Until we are mathematically eliminated, we keep rooting. Of course, frightwig will be quick to point out that with the Yankees roster the playoffs are a foregone conclusion...but with that attitude, why root for anyone (plus, the New York Rangers are a testament to the antithesis of that philosophy and must I mention the 1991 New York Amazin's -- the worst team money can buy?).

All in all, I love baseball, and therefore I have to love the Twins, because they (like Larry Bird) play the game fundamentally like it is supposed to be played (except this past weekend, a transgression which BG seems to have corrected immediately -- something about moral highground or some sort). I guess what I am trying to say is that there is a difference between love and appreciation. I love the Yanks, and appreciate the Twins. If the Yankees do not win the World Series (and the Cubbies aren't in it - long story for when I finally meet you guys in person) then I hope the Twins win it...this year.

Thanks for letting me ride along -- lest the group cry "BANDWAGONER" in November...

Warmest regards to all BatLings and BatKitties,
YankeeFan

I too was very happy to not be subject to that C.S. Lewis Jr. ... I mean, Lee Greenwood song. The seventh-inning stretch was so bearable, even relaxing. Thanks, Twins!

And thank you, Johan K. Santana, for dominating last night. It seemed like Iguchi's double in the first was the only hard-hit ball they had all night (maybe Everett's sac fly, too). Other than that, they had a few scratch singles, a couple of bunt hits, and they scored both their runs on sac flies. Basically, Johan was one competent first baseman away from shutting them out entirely.

I had a prime view from the "Cheap Seats" on the ball that Corky hit in the bottom of the eighth, which Dye made a diving "catch" on. He did not catch that ball. I saw it pop out and hit the ground as he rolled, but he cleverly scooped it back up and acted like he caught it cleanly. It was not visible from the umpire's side, so I guess I can't blame the ump, but all us screaming morons up in the right-field bleachers were pretty ticked off. I don't know how it looked on TV, so this might be a total non-controversy to most of you, but I wanted to state it for the record.

Also, as long as we're ranting about casual fans and their annoying habits, whatever happened to the art of waiting until a break in the game to get up for your freakin' nachos (or to come back with your freakin' nachos)? I'm sick of standing up for these hosers. I'm trying to WATCH THE GAME, people. When I went to the urinal between innings, I came back and the next inning had started, so I stood in the corridor and watched the action -- and watched about 30 other fans walk right past me and up to their seats, obstructing views left and right as they went. Seriously, do we need to start printing up ballpark etiquette handbooks for these people?

Oakland A's say they had a wave first in a game in 1981 according to a CNN article. It saddens me to think that people get mad at others doing the wave. I remember as a kid how cool it was to see 40,000 people all working together and doing a wave. Even today when crowds do it I see little kids get excited and do it. I still think watching that many people do something like that together is an impressive sight. I'm sorry, but more often then not baseball games need more then just a game going on to be fun and exciting for a lot of people. I'm really suprised there hasn't been anyone else really defending the wave.

I only wish Gardy would shamelessly borrow Batgirl's script and deliver this stern message. Dammit, we're sposed to be overachievers!

Gotta tell you, all this talk about 05 being the Year has me very, very worried. We're Minnesotans, for God's sake, and we hate attention being paid.

The good thing about being a small-market team is that the Greenwood loving, wave participating, AJ booing, overindulged drunks only show up during the opening weekend and the playoffs. The rest of the season, the fans are knowledgable, interesting, and fun.

Thank you, BG, for the fielding drills. Your hard work will pay off.

Don't worry about AJ Batgirl, I think AJ thrives on booing. I was watching on TV and had a good laugh when he lost the ball in the lights. Guess he's out of practice when it comes to the "Teflon Sky"(tm).

Of course the rest of my family LOVES the wave so whenever I get to a game with them they try to guilt me into waving too. Ah well, I just make sure I sit where I don't get my view blocked on the field.

But tell me Batgirl, how do you feel about the Double-Wave (waves on each deck), or maybe the Reverse-Wave (two ways crashing into each other)?

dregn - If you enjoy seeing 40,000 people doing the same thing at the same time, go to any Twins loss. You will see all those people who did the wave (with the wrong team batting) streaming to the exits after the 7th inning.

Mimiru -

As a classic cartoon puts it, it's not the boos that bother players -- it's the silence of the educated fans.

http://www.cartoonbank.com/assets/1/51400_m.gif

After all these years... the Wave, yes; the Macarena, no.

To me going to a baseball game has always been and always will be more then just watching a game. I'm one of those who enjoy the wave, but I won't leave after the 7th inning, i hate those poeple as much as anyone. I do enjoy the other things that go on at a baseball game other then the game itself. I grew up going to amatuer baseball games were it was more of a get together of the town to have fun then it was just to watch baseball. I go to college games now because of the atmosphere with my fellow classmates. I loved going to St. Paul Saint games as Mike Veck opperated teams love to keep the fans entertained and try to create an experience that's more then just a game.

It's those memories that I have as a kid that makes me want to go to games now as an adult and I like to have the same experience now. Just as others on here love to keep stats...i don't enjoy it, i can just look at it in a box score the next day, I enjoy other things at the ball park. We can both be allowed to do our own things and we'll both have fun.

Did anyone see this in todays Strib about last night's game? To me, this epitomizes what makes Torii and the Twins different from other players and teams in the league. Read on:

"Five innings after hitting his big home run, he hit a ball that rocketed straight into the air toward the Metrodome roof. The ball bounced off the glove of Chicago reliever Cliff Politte for an error, but Hunter almost got caught watching and was lucky to make it to first base.

With the Twins still clinging to a three-run lead, it could have been a costly mistake. But Hunter quickly atoned, stealing second and third base against his old friend, catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

Hunter said he thought the popup was headed out of play. Gardenhire said he thought so, too.

"I felt bad that I didn't hustle there, so I had to do something," Hunter said. "I had to try to steal two bags so I could go home and feel good about it."

There are lots of players that wouldn't have ran out that ball that went straight up, doing exactly what Torii did. What I find refreshing is that instead of just being thankful that he wound up at first (and thankful Iguchi played spectator instead of covering first) and waiting to get driven in, he actually felt he needed to atone for it by swiping two bags. Had he been hustling on the pop-up he could have been at 2nd anyways. But that he got himself not only to 2nd, but 3rd base to make up for it is terrific, and is the sort of thing that I think more people do on our team on others. Because of this mentality and leading by example, I think Torii should have a place on this team for years to come.

On a related note, was anyone salivating at the opportunity to see Hunter plow Pierzynski on a play at the plate once he took third with only 1 out? I was praying for Ford to hit a just-deep-enough sac fly. But it wasn't to be. It's not that I want to see Pierzynski get hurt or hold any significant ill-will for him signing with division rivals (I admit it, I booed his at-bats, but I was doing it in the spirit of good-natured ribbing. Unfortunately it sounds similar to when I'm doing it with sincerity), but when I first heard that Pierzynski had signed with them it was the first thing I thought of and thought it was going to happen right in front of me.

Also, to chime in... cannot stand "the wave". Whenever I see it I can only think the people doing it aren't paying attention, as I see it get started at inappropriate times. The only time I could see it being vaguely "appropriate" is when the home team is on the verge of completing a laugher victory or the game is otherwise well in hand. Any other time I think it means you're bored and have tired of the action on the field. I won't yell at anyone for doing it (I might glare at the originators though), but I'll refuse to participate.

What Skorch said. It's not about doing the Wave, dregn, it's about when you do it.

On an opening weekend note, check out TwinsGoddess' starring role in Strib video: http://www.startribune.com/stories/1741/5339256.html

Check out this Tiger ego!

Detroit Tigers first baseman Dmitri Young won't see the Twins until Tuesday's series opener at the Metrodome. But after Detroit finished its series with the Indians on Sunday, Young has apparently seen enough to make some predictions about the outcome of AL Central. "This is our rival right here," Young said of Cleveland. "Forget the other teams. I think it's going to come down to us and them. Just look at the different positions, look at the matchups. The matchups are pretty similar." The Twins have won the last three division titles and are many experts' pick to take a fourth-straight championship. When a reporter asked him about Minnesota, Young shrugged. "Us and Cleveland," he said.

For example, please don't do the wave when the rest of us are trying to watch Boo Berry sit the Bitches down.

One, there is NO WAVE in baseball. Sit the *&(% down and watch the game.

Two, thank god about the Lee Greenwood. I have never known a torture so vile. I have become accustom to running for the ladies room or to get another beer at the good beer stand just to avoid it.

Three, around my house we call Joe Mauer "Meeeeeoooowww-er." Mmmm...Joe. Just like we used to call Doug "Dougie Man-wich." I proposed adding this nickname to the official list. Oh, and "San-tan-THE-MAN-a"

First: Patriotism should not mean you lose all musical ability, or all ability to critique music, and gain a stupid little American flag filter on the screens. Goodbye, Lee Greenwood, and good riddance.

Second: When I was a child, I adored the Wave. I also started squidgeting about the fifth inning. About the time I could sit through nine full innings (and more), I started hating the Wave, especially because it always appeared when our team was in the field and needed concentration.
I'm not a particularly stats-loving fan, but I do feel that there's more fun to be gained out of paying _attention_ to the game and giving very vocal encouragement after/before each pitch, than in waiting waiting waiting for the Wave to wander back your direction.

Thirdly: That's so cute, Dmitri. Really.

Nice post, Skorch. All right on!
Oops, should be working...

This discussion is extremely interesting to me and highlights how far (or not) Minnesota has come as a baseball city in the last 3-4 years. Specifically, there was a time where even the most casual fan would have been more-than-welcome at a Twins game, so long as he or she was paying for a ticket, some dogs, beers, etc.

I guess what I am driving at stems from this: the Wave, Macarena, Cotton-Eyed Joe (or his devil-spawned offspring, Cotton Eyed Joey, don't get me started), Bratwurst races, and their ilk are designed not for the die-hard fan -- a game and maybe some nourishment are enough for us -- but to keep the casual fan interested and coming back. I have long since accepted such atrocities as necessary evils (really, what's so great about the "Great Dunkin Donuts Subway Race...my #4 train always gets stuck on a jelly doughnut around 34th street!) especially in a climate that allows a fan to catch a game and entertainment elseehere.

I don't know... I'd take 30,000 fans and a wave over 7500 fans with no gimmicks. Maybe, just maybe, if enough of those wave-startin' subway racin' cotton-eyed joeyin' clap-when-the-scoreboard-says-to-in' casual fans continue to populate the stadia nationwide, they will spin a cocoon (pupa anyone?) and sprout as die-hard fan butterflies... or at least their larvae (read: children) may become die-hards...

Hate the "other entertainment" if you must, but like Yankee fans (and your hatred thereof) they are necessary evils ;)

YankeeFan

To be honest, it is not the activities that have been cited in the last few days that most of us take issue with - it is the timing. I love some of the cute little things they do inbetween stuff. I LOVE the Saints games where they used to do something extra EVERY inning.. but they don't do it WHILE A BATTER IS IN THE BOX.

We have lost some respect for both the players and the other fans somewhere along the line. Extra-curricular activities are great - just don't interfere with someone else's enjoyment of the actual game. Many of these things should be common sense but just aren't that common anymore.

On a side note, the goofiest thing during last night's game was the guy two rows behind me who stood through appropriate moments during the entire game with a Circle Me Bert sign... *shakes head* Even after he was told finally by a neighbor somewhere around the 6th inning that Bert wasn't calling the game, he kept up. Interesting fellow he was....

Well said, Scorch.

I love it that people show up for games, but I have to admit that when I saw most of the people who were sitting around me over the weekend, it occurred to me that I wish they would make people take a Twins/baseball general knowledge test when they try to purchase tickets. The higher your score, the better your seats.

Then the true fans would be where they belong, behind home plate, rather than up in the nosebleed seats because that's all they can afford after buying jerseys and hats and gloves and scorecards for themselves and the kids. And the posers (and I use the term affectionately) can do what they do, which is talk on cell phones and drink too much and knock around beach balls, without getting in the way of the people who want to actually watch the game.

A Goddess can dream, can't she?

In case no one mentioned it yet...

Can I get a big Arsenio Hall WOOP WOOP for the person or persons that brought the bigass sign to both games I was at the weekend, reading:

"WELCOME TO THE TWINS FOOTBALL STADIUM"

WOOP.

YankeeFan was, as usual, quite eloquent, and I'm not sure what I can add, other than that if completing your scorecard is the most important thing to you,perhaps you should stay home and do it in front of the TV where you can control your environment. My husband filled out a scorecard for the first time at the home opener, and he said doing it added a lot to his enjoyment of the game. We managed to enjoy ourselves despite the people pushing past us. I think the ballpark is a place to relax and have fun, and to think you can dictate how people should be acting during a game seems unrealistic to me. Some people are jerks. Some people are really nice but do jerky things, like get up to go to the bathroom when the Twins are batting. Why get upset about it?

As for the wave, my problem with it is that people don't know when to stop. I'll do it once, one time around, and like dregn, be in awe of how so many people can cooperate. It's fun once, but that's my limit.

Lee Greenwood--phew. It's so nice to know I'm not the only one that felt like I was going to lose my Dome Dog when he started up.

Dearest Batlings,

BG has nothing to add except that this is all very interesting. BG thinks her readers know not to take the things she says while in a rant too seriously, but she wants to impress upon everyone that she is very, very serious about Lee Greenwood.

Sincerely,
BG

Batgirl - And yet you drove us to a Lee Greenwood casino show last Summer...

A few more questions: 1.Who is Lee Greenwood, and why does everyone dislike him so? 2. Why does Matt LeCroy seem to feel that every ground ball to 2nd must involve his dashing off to his right, not getting within 30 feet of the ball, and leaving first base uncovered?3.Were Lew, and Mike so stunned by Torii's steals that they forgot someone was throwing pitches to them? Statements:1. Beachballs are called "beach" for a reason. 2.The wave is, and always was moronic. Finally, one more question: why were there 41,500 for game 2, and 28,000 to watch Johann?

Dearest BG,

Thanks so much for having this little meeting with the A.G.G. It is much appreciated. Hopefully they keep this in mind when they feel like using the ass gloves again.

Thankfully,
Stacy

The Wave CAN be a good thing, like it was stated earlier, if the game is allready in the books and there's no chance of losing. Only if the twins are ahead though. And for crying out loud, if you're going to start the wave, don't start it in the middle of nowhere, there's a place to start the wave and alot of places NOT to start the wave. For some reason, people never sit in the right spot when they try to start it.

As far as other stuff at the game, there's nothing i enjoy more than some good natured heckling. Its always fun to let a guy like A-Rod have it, because he's getting paid too much anyway. Especially the game i remember, where he had an error that gave us the runs to win the game, then struck out on his chance to win the game back. The other one i thoroughly enjoy is the quick, loud "BOOOOO" every time an opposing pitcher tries the pick-off move to first base. My favorite memory of that was when the Twins put in Buchanon a few years back to pinch run (yeah, i was confused too) and the pitcher went two or three times in a row to pick him off. Weird.

The only other thing that gets to me is when people don't do the CHARGE! dammit, you have to do the CHARGE! or else, how are the twins gonna know that we want them to CHARGE!!!!!?!?!?!?!

Dear Batlings,

Many baseball purists hate the "Boo" to the pickoff move, because the pitcher is just doing his job, holding the runner on. BG loves it because she is doing her job...i.e. heckling.

Al, 1. Lee Greenwood sings "God Bless the U.S.A," which is an ass-crap country song that the Twins played the last two seasons during the seventh inning stretch, which provided morons opportunities to do things like throw peanut shells at Batgirl for not standing, which she's not going to do because there is nothing patrotic about bad country music. He might be a very nice man, but he sure has one sucky song. 3. God knows. 3. Apparently

Sincerely,
BG

I would like to add that I keep score, however I'm not one to be too anal about it. If I miss something I'll try and fill it in from my fellow scoring buddy or just look it up in the paper the next day. HOWEVER, when it's apparent that I'm scrambling to write down a pitch count, please wait 2 seconds before plowing over my legs and knocking my stuff to the ground (also a nice "Excuse me please" would be awesome). Also, I'm more than willing to answer questions from the fair weather fans, just don't start asking me as El Presidente is delivering a pitch. I hate the wave, but will not yell at anyone for doing it, I just don't participate and tend to roll my eyes when I see it start up.

She-Ra I did see the Football Stadium sign, most excellent.

Did anyone else find it odd that GameDay raised it's price? As much as I love Gameday and want to support them, I can't reason spending $80 this summer on them. I did find some great printable scorecards online that I'll use. I'll just have to remember to print out a visiting team roster.

I was also flagged down by someone who thought I was Batgirl, while it was rather tempting to be thought of as the great Batgirl, I kindly told the young boy that I was in fact just a Batling.

I've never gotten why people think timing is so important when doing things as fans. I've never gotten why people think the wave is gonna distract the pitcher from being able to throw a strike, yet 40k people standing up and yelling as loud as they can will help them and not make them nervous. I've seen basketball players who thrive when the other teams fans heckle them. As an athlete you have to either use the crowd to help you or just ignore it. This isn't golf or tennis the last time I checked.

I also think it's important that others have said they loved the wave as a kid but don't like it now. I think it's more important for the kids who go to the games to have fun then it is for me. I remember the games I went to as a kid much better then those I go to now. I remember having Dan Gladden throw me a ball during batting practice and me missing it and some jerk diving to get it. If I have kids I hope I can bring them to a ball game and they can do all the things that are fun and part of the fan experience that I had as a kid.

Baseball is, after all, an entertainment option, not a secret society, so I would caution against becoming too arrogant and demanding a certain level of baseball knowledge or banning all extracurricular activities. And anyhow, doesn't it just add to your enjoyment of the game when you get to set the person sitting next to you straight on some fine point of rules or strategy, thereby demonstrating your superior knowledge and intelligence? (Or is that just me?)

That said, a lot of this is just common courtesy, which has nothing to do with baseball. People just should not be allowed out at all if they don't know better than to engage in behavior that interferes with other people's ability to enjoy the game. It doesn't seem to me that you would need any baseball knowledge whatsover to understand you shouldn't go jumping up for no good reason or walking in front of people in the middle of the action.

Personally I'm not worried about the pitcher, I myself find the wave distracting when I am trying to watch. But then I am of the older generation that tends to only do one thing at a time.

Smitty

Were it not Opening weekend, many of the issues sumyall have might be warranted. Like the team, fans cannot be expected to be in mid-season form. Takes time for some to adjust from the NFL where games have lengthy breaks occurring every eight seconds.

Truly, it is the matters of courtesy and just good behavior that bother BG. She is largely kidding about the wave, but the throwing stuff at people, the heckling other fans, and the lewdness does really bother her. We're Minnesotans, for the love of Gardy.

Oh, also BG adores every bratwurst race, every song, every Dodge ball, every silly and wonderful thing the Twins people have dreamt up. Especially Twingo. BG loves her the Twingo.

Kat, I was disturbed with the GameDay people as well, but at least they're going to try and put out three more issues this season.

Really I need to find one of those books just full of scorecards, like my buddy Paul has (hi Paul!) This would also keep me from just disposing of them immediately after the game, which just seems like a total waste.

Batgirl,

Lots of good points here, but you really have to do something about this burgeoning "throw it back" movement.

It's immature and petty, and it's not like the runs get taken off the board if you throw the ball back.

The difference this year is that the practice seems to be wholly encouraged. On opening night, for the first time ever I think, Dick and Bert actually made a big production about the guy who almost didn't throw it back -- a sharp contrast to the old policy of ignoring it.

The supreme irony here is that it was done on the same day as the tribute to Bob Casey, who famously uttered "Please do not throw objects or people onto the field." C'mon, people!

Come to think of it, I fear the new Twins marketing scheme may be deliberately encouraging a new breed of hooliganism that we haven't seen much of before. Radio ads that advocate verbal abuse of opponents; bus shelter ads that advocate hanging Bitch Sox fans on coat hooks. What is happening to us?

(Just needing to voice my opinion on the wave, since everyone else is.) WHY DO IT?!?! You pay the $20-30 to GO TO THE GAME, so WATCH THE GAME. LOL And also, along with everyone else who dislikes it, those doing it (even if it is for a moment) get in the way of those trying to watch the game. I mean, in that one moment, something AMAZING could happen that a loyal fan would miss. And that makes us VERY upset. But, that's what I think. And I needed to get that out because the people I tell about it like it, so it doesn't do me much good.

Loved the review, BG. And thanks for getting our Twins back in shape. God knows they needed it. And now, to a WONDERFUL, WINNING season!!

-Twinsfan

BG--

Don't forget about the Hormel Row of Fame. Some day before I die, I'm gonna be a weiner winner.

--TG

Dearest TG,

Dare my dream, my dear. Dare to dream.

Love,
BG

Finally, one more question: why were there 41,500 for game 2, and 28,000 to watch Johann?

Posted by: al at April 11, 2005 02:52 PM
---

I think one reason less people were there because it was a Sunday Night game. A lot of people come from outstate, and since school is still in session, a lot of families really cant go

Hate the wave. I, HATE the wave.

I also have a problem with the people who have to go to the concession and the bathroom 14 times during the game. The worst are those parents who let their kids run up and down unattended. Nothing against kiddies, you see, it's just that they're being taught that it's okay to interfere with other people's enjoyment of the game with their constant up & downs. We need to educate this mini-fans so they know it's not cool to make everyone get up in the middle of a play/at-bat.

Right on Say Rah!

One of the many things I love about Wrigley Field is the tradition of throwing the HR back – it’s nice of every other ball park to start copying this and all, and does not bother me.

One of the many other things I love about Wrigley Field? NO WAVES. Ever.

The Wave may have been vaguely amusing, for about 10 minutes, back in the 70’s, but now it’s just dumb. Please stop!

I mean, I won’t get all assy to people over it, I’ll just roll my eyes, but I find it dumb.

Also, I am most excited to hear the Lee Greenwood is gone. That was horribly embarrassing.

RD has taken a perverse liking to No. 4 catcher Corky Miller, based in part of his 2004 statistics with the Reds -- particularly his .024 batting average. It's good to know that Corky's first hit, assuming he gets it, will allow him to equal his 2004 season hit total.

I see that Batgirl has referred to him as Corky (Corky) Miller, as if a nickname needs to go (here).

Well, first of all, his real first name is...Corky, as in Corky Abraham Philip Miller. Now the easy way out would be to call him Corky (CAP) Miller.

However, when RD sees Corky (Corky) Miller he sees a guy who tries real hard but wouldn't really fit into the cast of Napoleon Dynamite because, after all, he doesn't have skills. ANd who wants a boyfriend without skills?

That kind makes him the opposite of Joe (The Natural) Mauer. Yet it would be unkind to call the 4th-string catcher Corky (The Unnatural) Miller.

RD's nickname suggestion for Corky Abraham Philip Miller: Corky (The Act) Miller.

Few will be the wiser.

Maybe what we need to do is have one section reserved for those that are scorecardin', radio listenin', not constant up and downer's, no wavin', Lee Greenwood hatin', diehards. That way we all all know what we like and the other 40,000 seats can be used for the rest.

One more vent and I'm done. Even if your team is getting it's ASS handed to it 55-2, please please please do not file out in the 8th inning as if there were a fire drill. Man, I just feel so f-in bad for the boys. When they need their fans the most they're all heading for the door. While those of us that will stay until they play "I wish that I knew what I know now" are left to try and mend their broken spirits.

Boo hiss on that.

I LOVE conversations about how to behave in public... This is fabulous! And so, here is my 2 cents worth....
1. Once the game starts - stay in your seat until there is an inning break or a pitching change or some other lengthy moment.
2. Don't go back until there is an inning break or a pitching change or some other lengthy moment.
3. When in the concourse - don't stop and hang out in the middle - especially in groups - the concourses in the Metrodome are very, very narrow - so please, if you have to dilly-dally, please move to the side so that people can get by you.
4. I adore TC and the fun and games and all of that planned fun stuff - which takes place during inning breaks - which is how it should be...
5. Do the wave - don't do the wave - there is joy in hating it and joy in doing it...
6. Remember - this is Minnesota - be nice to the fans, the ushers, security, the bear - and boo the opposing team when you can muster that kind of emotion...
Thanks - see you at the game!

Praise the baseball gods.

Silva was re-evaluated, and may be back before the All-Star break.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/11363466.htm

The news that the HHH has gone to a "Big Chill" 7th Inning Stretch is fantastic, BTW.

At Wrigley, if someone doesn't throwitback then the fans in that section can tell it's an opposing fan and they know who to pick on for the rest of the game. At the Metrodome (and, regrettably, elsewhere), it's more like "Throw it back, because that's what you're supposed to do at a ballgame and not doing so is like not standing for Lee Greenwood. Don't you watch SportsCenter?"

The Wave is bad. Patrick Reusse's comment about the Dome being the only place in 2005 A.D. where fans find "high hilarity" in it was dead-on. I'd like to see a 21st Century Wave where people in the odd-numbered sections get up, then the even-numbered sections. It would look cooler from the other side of the stadium, and provide a higher barrier of entry for drunk people.

But last night's attendance dropoff might indicate that most of the 20,000-or-so gomers have gone away for the forseeable future. Here's are philosophical question: are the Wave and Throwitback and flying peanut shells tolerable if their presence helps us hire an extra pitcher in July? And can't we find a different set of 20,000 people to fill the rest of the seats, like the considerably more polite bunch that packed the dome during the '87 stretch?

(And I'm going back to my old BatName. "Whelliston" is too long to type when I'm using a different 'puter)

Last night I got to sit in the company seats which happen to be in the new dugout box seats directly behind home plate right behind the mesh thingy. We were actually in row 2, which was good because the woman in front of us actually got hurt by a foul tip because she had her hand on the railing when the ball hit the netting. We could see every expression on Johan's face as he threw the ball. We could hear A.J. swear, we saw everyone in both dugouts flee when foul balls came there way, and we had a waiter bring us beer. Needless to say it was awsome!!

My observations are as follows: I never want to see Corky Miller catch again, I never want to see Matty play 1st again, the bat boy for the visitors team is actually a bat man, and beer tastes better when it is delivered to you because you ordered it.

I am also very happy to have not had to hear Lee Greenwood. I was afraid I would make it on ESPN wearing a huge scowl as the song played on.

Also, apparently Dimiti from Detroit thinks this season it is all about them and the Indians.

I hope J.Mo is feeling better. I hope Silva is not as bad as they think. I hope we crush Detroit on Tuesday. I hope that my dream seats from last night don't ruin the rest of the season when I am back in my season ticket seats in section 222!

Blue

Ps. Red wore her "Sit Down Bitch" shirt in case we made on TV at all!!

Personally, i love Wrigley Field because its Wrigley Field. Been there once, the Cubbies got beat 10-1 by the Pirates, but it didn't matter, i was at Wrigley Field, and it was outdoor baseball. I vowed never to go to a game at the Metrodome after that. That lasted me about 1 day, we stopped in on the Twins game on the way home from Chi-town.

The Jackal, back before the All-Star break? i thought he was just good at fooling opposing hitters, now he's up to his shenannagins fooling Doctors. Nice. Isn't that just like a Twin, always giving it 110%. Thats why i love 'em all!

One thing i saw that I liked about Corky was when he threw down to second base, it was a pretty much perfect throw... just too bad Rivas was out be-bopping in LaLa land so he couldn't make the play. Maybe he had his mind so focused on the High Moral Ground that he forgot sometimes people try to steal bases.

I, like a few others, am okay with the wave, because I remember it fondly from when I was a kid with a short attention span, and my dad only had so much patience for the "what just happened?" questions. But not nearly as much as I love the batting helmet sundaes. They are responsible for making me the baseball fan I am today.

Dmitri Young is probably right, you know. Cleveland will prove to be Detroit's peer, their rival...for third in the division.

I just watched the Exorcist this weekend, and I think Team Batgirl and some Batlings need to go perform an exorcism on the clubhouse, gear, dugout and field. Our boys are cursed, cursed I say.

Hopefully that is good news about Silva. I like that Eddie had that done and bounced back quick.

Man oh man, however Karma has a sneaky way of working out, I'd rather have all the bad now, then have a great finish.

Random thoughts:

1) Favorite scorecard notation (after an 8-2 putout...let's see more of those Mr. Hunter!): WW (wasn't watching...oops!)

2) I saw the bus shelter ad with Sox fan hung wedgie-style, and it concerns me. It's one thing to be scrubbing your bathroom floor with a Sox jersey, but the bully-esque nature of the bus ad gives an unwelcome mean-spirited tone to the new ad campaign. Let's celebrate our boys, but there's no need to be xenophobic about it.

3) The "throw it back" thing is a tangent on that. Why encourage more of that bullying. We're baseball fans, for crying out loud...the civilized ones. Because they do it at Wrigley is no reason for us to do it, too.

4) Peanuts or no, keep fighting the power, BG! But, hopefully our struggle is over now with crapass country songs.

Hey, let's not be badmouthing Corky!! He really was great in spring training and just has that solid squat catcher look to him. Besides which he has such a great baseball name.

I know he had some rough moments behind the plate last night, but no worse than SuperJoe lately. And of course we're not expecting anything from him beside the plate.
Given how well he did during the spring, I was glad to see him get his moment in the sun last night. I suspect he'll be gone before too long, but let's play nice and give him a chance. Let him enjoy his cup of coffee while it lasts.

Another pet peeve on the lack of baseball etiquette over the weekend:

There are 15 seats in the row where I sit in my season tickets seats for each game. My seats are numbers 12 & 13. Generally, we have good people who are there to watch the game, and we rarely run into any problems.

All I ask, and it's really not that much to ask...

LEARN HOW TO COUNT PEOPLE!!!

If you are seated in seat number 5, go out to get your hot dogs & beers so you only have to disturb four people, instead of ten!!!
And when you come back, please do the same!!!
I don't care if 3 of the people you are disturbing are your friends and family members that you came to the game with...the rest of us are not.

If he does it again, I will have vengeance, one way or another.

By the way, shouldn't the ushers at the entrances to each section take some responsibility in teaching people who are newbies the correct way to enter and exit while the game is in progress?

I know the guy in our section used to do it, and I think he still does.

I always tried not to hate the Lee Greenwood song because I appreciate the sentiments, and because I remember when they regularly played "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," which is not a pleasant song and did not make me envious of country boys.

But I was also relieved not to hear "God Bless the USA" this weekend. The "Proud to be an AmeriCAN!" part especially always sounds manic to me and made my insides turn every time.

BG and all other cat (and other pets for that matter) slaves,

I know this is way off topic, but give your pets a big hug tonight in honor of my Tinkie. The cat to which I have been primary servant to for 16 years passed away quietly in her sleep last night.

tdow, sorry for your troubles.I hate when that happens. May Tinkie reside happily in cat heaven forever. I have a 12 year old whom I have never particularly cared for, but, he has a tough job replacing my beloved Funderburke, who was named after Mark Funderburke, who had a Corky Miller type career for our guys in late 70's, as I recall.She passed 8 years ago at the age of 17, so I never knew Sam, my present boss, as a kitten.Choose wisely; there is great value here. Al

talldrink-- I lost one on New Year's Day 2005 and it was very hard, so I can really empathize with you. Pearl, who is now queen of the house since Harry died (and likes it quite a lot better), will recieve extra snuggles tonight in Tinkie's honor.

RIP Tinkie.

Batgirl,

Did you tune into Rita Maloney’s show on WCCO yesterday? She went on a 20 minute rant about how she dislikes the wave, paper airplane throwing, beach balls in left field, venders making a nice door, people getting up when there are 2 on and a 3-2 count, etc…For anyone that goes to the game to watch the Twins and baseball I think they would have liked it.

Also, anyone ticked at Hunter for not being on second base in the bottom of the 8th inning after his pop up was missed? Defiantly don’t think Gladden should have given him the number 1 star….that was Johan’s star.

A couple of things:

1. Thank goodness for Venezuelan pitchers. A little help, please, from the rest of the guys?

2. My understanding is that the Wave began as a college football shenanigan at UW Huskie games in Chicago. Makes sense that this would be a football thing. All that sitting around, then relatively sustained drives during which concentration is not manditory.

3. I hope Dmitri's assessment hit the bulletin board, and that our boys aren't too shaken from the recent equipment problems to get their danders up. Detroit and Cleveland indeed.

As the Official Scorekeeper of Batlings, I have to say that I am not usually bothered if I am interrupted in my scoring. I can usually figure out what happened by deferring to my lovely Assistant Scorekeeper, because he actually knows more about baseball than I do and has a better attention span. Also, it is always posted the next inning what the person did in their previous at-bats. Finally, I can check with Gameday if I really, truly missed something. This way I don't let other people get in the way of my fun.
Also, let me say that once upon a time, I was in the Navy, and I would go to Twins games when I was home from school, and I would not stand during Lee Greenwood. While I do appreciate the sentiment and the people who prefer being an American to an American't, I still find the song irritating.

The majority of outfield fans at Wrigley (and other stadiums) bring a decoy ball to the game for throwing back while they pocket the "real" homerun. So, the silliness of the act is compounded by the fact that it's not even fandom based upon principle.

Also, let it be known that, by some stroke of luck, AJ (or AS or Assistant scorekeeper, if you're not into the whole brevity thing) and I will be sitting in section 123, row 29, for tomorrow's game! So perhaps you will see us on TV! I have never had such nice seats. WOOOOOOO!

Donna - Nice seats. I tried to get the company seats for tomorrow's game but there were some definite irregularities in the "drawing" that occurred for the tickets. I blame Dmitri.

As for baseball etiquette, it has its rewards. For example, last evening while I was patiently waiting for the half inning to end so I could return to my seat, I had a bit of time to chat with the usher. He was confused and asked why I was waiting (apparently the Twins are not training their ushers on etiquette). Anyways, he was looking for the owner of an earring he had found. It turns out the earring was part of a $100 pair that belonged to my brother's girlfriend. She was quite pleased to have it returned. She now also greatly appreciates why one should wait for the half inning to end.

fiesta:
On my scorecard I make the "imfamous ? play". Whenever I don't know what happened, because I was distracted, I just put a question mark and put the guy on the proper base or count his out. It's a popular play between the females in our family (the guys don't keep score).
Just Beth

One of those probably apocryphal baseball stories has Phil "The Scooter" Rizzuto keeping score and Bill White, Fran Healy or someone else looking at his card and asking what WW or DSI (Didn't See It) meant. Some sites give Rizzuto credit for the invention of the WW notation.

Hmmm. There is indeed a story around the net that has Washington Husky alumnus cheerleader Robb Weller (of Entertainment Tonight fame) inventing The Wave on October 31, 1981 when University of Washington defeated Stanford. The Washington Wave required people to remain standing until the wave worked its way around the stadium. This story is at odds with the Oakland A's claim to have invented The Wave earlier in 1981.

So I've been reading this site everyday, and am fully aware of the ass-bats and ass-gloves, but does anyone remember how bad things were early last season, and perhaps we're forgetting about the dome's new-fangled ass-turf? Maybe after leaving the Augusta-national green of Fort Myers it's gonna take awhile to get used to the shiny easter grass at home.

Lew Ford's throw to Cap Miller skipped like a frisbee off that stuff, the field has a shine on it (at least on TV) like a new driving range mat, and guys were falling on it and slipping all over the place. Just like last year.

Granted, ass-turf wouldn't make people forget to cover second base, or make you throw over Softball LeCroy's head, or make you have to make a web gem out of a pop fly to right field, but when foot soldiers can't trust the ground they're walking on, all sorts of funky things happen. That fibergrass field is wierd.

I think they're gonna be fine, just like last year, but I think we gotta realize our grass is ass (okay, I couldn't resist that)....

I thought I could hear Torii yelling something at Benedict AJ about his popup being behind him, so maybe he was tricking him and it worked. Maybe that's why he didn't streak to second base. I don't know. I'm not that bright anyhow. But that's what it sounded like.

The Tigers think that Cleveland is their biggest rival for the AL Central championship. Can't wait to see us beat it out of them. Their ass is field turf.

to talldrinkowater,
My sympathies about your kitty. Mine watches the Twins games on tv with me. I swear she pays more attention when Santana pitches.

On Lee Greenwood,
I heard from a somewhat reliable source that the reason they kept playing that f-ing song every f-ing game was that it started with "From the lakes of Minnesota..." rather than the nauseating faux patriotism it invokes. In any case, count me as one of those who would prefer NEVER EVER EVER TO HAVE TO HEAR THAT F-ING SONG AGAIN!!!!!!!!! REALLY!! Because for one thing, people spill more beer on you when you are the only ones sitting down in your section.

Thanks Batgirl for sacrificing your evening for the sake of eliminating the ass gloves. Although my cat and I agree that Johan Santana in nothing but a smoking jacket would certainly make the sacrifice less painful...

What is about the Twins that leads to catastrophic knee injuries?

Mauer, Kubel, now Silva.

Dear BG,

Pls. cut me a little credit, eh. Like the pitcher holding the runner on 1st, and AJ with his left pocket out, I'm just doing my job. And, btw, I still make millions on the resids.

Lee G.

I will sometimes put "WW" on my scorecard for "Wasn't Watching."

Sorry for your loss, talldrink.

tdow: my most sincere sympathies. I lost my cat-friend in December to the flu (he was very young, but got to experience all three recent division titles). And I don't think it's off-topic in the least: kitties and baseball go together like kitties and baseball.

I like the WW and DSI notations for scoring, and Donnalove and Just Beths' relaxed attitude about looking up the plays you missed the next day. You people have inspired me to start scoring! We're going to the game on Thursday(cheap seats)--can't wait! I only boo in extreme situations, and I am fully prepared to unleash a loud one at Dmitri Young.

My deepest sympathies Talldrink.

May your furry little friend find comfort in the place where all mice have 3 legs, there is always a warm basket of clean laundry and fields made of catnip.

During the University of Washington's unpublicized stint in Illinois? Sorry. Very, very tired.

E-

"Anyways, he was looking for the owner of an earring he had found. It turns out the earring was part of a $100 pair that belonged to my brother's girlfriend."

I think we were in the same section. I remember being mildly confused watching our gray-haired male usher examining a gold hoop. Fortunately it didn't lead to a WW moment, since I also have a beloved Assistant Scorekeeper.

I was also relieved not to hear the Greenwood song. I don't stand for it, either, though I have yet to have anything more substantial than a barbed comment thrown at me for my perceived unpatrioticness.

My favorite scoresheet notation is "BHP"--bone-headed play, used for those fielding flubs that aren't errors. Best notation ever (only used this once so far): "UI"--umpire interference. Second-base ump was daydreaming, didn't get his butt off the line in time, got nailed by a throw and the ball went trickling out into right-center, runner advanced. And of course the exclamation point for a great fielding play, don't know how many times I noted 5!-3 or F8! in the last few years.

Any scoresheeet lovers out there looking for more/different sheets, drop me a line if you have MS Excel. I've got a ton of them that I've modified for various purposes over the years, happy to send any or all of them along. Every season I have my current favorites printed up and bound into notebooks. You can do it for cheap at OfficeMax, and it's nice to have a wire-bound book full of your ideal scoresheet rather than accumulating stacks of loose sheets, or blowing a lot of money on commercial scorecards.

Mr. Infield and I will be at tonight's and Thursday's games, in sec 117, row 6. I'll be the one in the Rincon jersey (at least tonight), drop on by!

I like the BHP. I'll have to start including it. I'm also a fan of the ! in noting great plays. Alternately I'll underline which the outstanding player in a certain play was.

Then there's the K-was. Instead of a Ks (swinging) or Ko (looking), Kwas would be "struck out with a weak ass swing." Usually only used on the home team's card, as it is their weak ass swings that disappoint me.

K-was...I like that! Oh, and I forgot "BC"--bad call. I use that one a lot when we play the Yankees. Stupid Yankee-lovin' umps...

I too have a great scorecard that I just modified. It has all the position numbers and abbeviations, etc. so if anyone out there is looking to get into scoring, it might be helpful. Feel free to email me and I'll send it to you, it's in MS Excel.

Infield-
Since we see you at every Twins function we go to (it seems) we'll be stopping by.
I just bought a Joe Nathan t-shirt, and I'm going to make some FANTABULOUS posters.
Donnalove

Donna,
Great! See you there!