More Than a Game

continued

Between innings I asked if they wanted me to take their photo while the light was still good. The dad gave me his iPhone. The little boy who was about three, hadn't mastered looking at a camera on cue, especially for a stranger. I asked his name and then called him, he smiled at me, and I snapped off a few quick shots of the three of them. They returned the favor, taking a photo of me with my iPhone.

The grandfather chatted with me about the history of the Michigan team and the Tigers' season opener the day before. A few weeks earlier he'd been to a Red Sox Grapefruit League game in Florida. I told him Carl Yastrzemski had hit a grand slam in the first game I attended when I was an undergraduate in Boston.

A Spartan committed a fielding error. Michigan student fans chanted something unintelligible. I said, "I think (your grandson) is going to learn a few new words tonight." His grandfather laughed.

Michigan center fielder Patrick Biondi hit a home run over the right field fence. I took photos. We all stood and sang "Hail to the Victors" although my seatmates were unsure of the words.