Crabs of Blue...

In the land of nothing to do in Southern Maryland, Friday night we had to choose between going to the River Concert and a special trip to the Blue Crab’s game in Waldorf. The St. Mary’s County Historical Society planned a group outing to attend the ball game and in the end we opted for that. We had never been to a game, and I had heard good reports about it, not only here, but about the “minor league” atmosphere, so figured this was a good way to check it out. Besides, just getting on a Keller Motor Coach (remember it’s not a bus – that’s for kids) in Leonardtown and getting off at the gate is attractive. So, we gathered at Tudor Hall in Leonardtown, had a quick Happy Hour and boarded the Keller for a relatively short ride to the ball park. As it turned out, the ride up and back were almost the highlight of the trip. As it turned out, Ernie Bell (of the recent car dealership fame) and Judge John Hanson Briscoe were among the happy troupe of fans. Ernie has long had a love and relationship with baseball here in the county, and spent most of the ride up telling about the old teams here in the county, both historical (1873) and more modern days (early fifties). He has a rich knowledge of the local history, who lived where, who did what, on and on. We were regaled by tales of games, players, ‘yellow pony”; “donkey”; “frog”; “head rat” of the wharf rats). Hearing his tales of early Leonardtown brings home that we’re just guests here. It didn’t hurt that we had the remnants of the happy hour with us. Then John Briscoe took the mic and we learned he was a pretty highly regarded left hander in his day. A blown arm resulted in his law career.

So, before we knew it we were pulling up to Regency Furniture Stadium, and disgorged at the gate. It’s a very pleasant facility, small enough that you can walk from the right field to the left without much trouble, and there is a very laid back, homey feel to the place. There are some “boxes”, and a sort of pavilion affair off to the side. Nice setting. As for the food, there isn’t the variety apparently available “up the road”, but still some interesting choices. There is the standard ball park stuff with addition of some “crab” items (crab cakes and balls, plus a crab pretzel????), some BBQ chicken. Besides the standard counters there are some “carts” in the aisle where you can get more specialty stuff like fancier hot dogs, Turkey Hill lemonade, and some more boutique beers (standard is Coor’s light and A Sam Adams product, and Blue Crab). You better learn to multiply by $3.75 because that seems to be a standard price for most things. Dogs a little less (or more if you go for the froo froo), burgers a little more, but at least nothing leads with a 7 as it allegedly does for the Nats.

We settled into our seats about 25 minutes before game time. I really don’t know how many seats they have, but it wasn’t crowded by any means, and there seems to be plenty of room. Very heavily family oriented, with kids everywhere (a statement, not a judgement). Pretty soon players began sauntering in from left field somewhere, no locker rooms behind the dugouts apparently. Another passenger familiar with the team said that this was the highest “non-affiliated” level team there was. In other words, there isn’t any connection to any major organization. The players are here to get seen with hopes of connecting with “the bigs”. Some have had offers, but didn’t like the team that did, so they are shopping themselves around. Each of the players came onto the field carrying their own glove, and most had a bat bag, or just carried their bag. Most stopped and chatted with the fans (or family), some signed some things, really up close and personal stuff, not the isolation you get at major league parks.

Finally the game began, after an “interesting” rendition of the National Anthem by a seven year old girl. Although I know there are those devoted baseball followers of the game out there, and God love them. I will be the first to admit that I am not a big baseball fan, and am not passionate about our “national pastime”. That’s a very key word there, “past time”. Because a lot of it does without much going on. The pitcher stood on the mound, stared at home plate. Stepped off the mound, peered in again, stepped on the rubber and delivered. Ball One! Another ritual ensued before the second offering flew toward home. It got worse if somebody got on first, stare over there, step on, step off, throw over there, step on, step off, you get the idea. The first inning took 20 some minutes to play. The pace of the game is not accelerated by the fact that between almost every inning there is some “event’ that goes on, like eating contests, dancing on the dugouts with “Pinch” the mascot, little games for the kids. In between there are real baseball plays, and there were some good ones including home runs, stolen bases, but they certainly come at a price. One interesting interlude was when the “Barnstormers” manager came on the field to protest something, threw his hat down and was summarily ejected from the game. In the majors, that means he goes back into the dugout, kicks some benches, punches the wall, and disappears down the runway. Not here! You get tossed and you have to walk from home plate, toward the shortstop, into left field, finally exiting out there. A good three minute trip in full view (and voice) of the home fans. Talk about the walk of shame! Anyway, the game dragged on, pitching, walking, running, singing, dancing, a leisurely pace to say the least. When we departed at our pre-agreed on time of 10:00, the game was just getting into the 7th inning, after a 7:13 first pitch.

Oh, and back to food a minute, I had one of those fancy dogs, lathered in mustard, onion and relish, some boardwalk fries (which as far as I can tell means they come in a cup instead of those paper trays), and an Irish stout. I was trying so hard, carefully holding the dog in both hands, over the napkin, little bites, carefully chewing, until almost the last bite when somehow the dog exploded into many pieces, giving me a nice yellow stripe on my tasteful (Dress for Baseball) shirt and a lap full of mustard soaked onion pieces. You can’t win.

Anyway, it was a pleasant evening, albeit long. Would have to seriously consider another outing..