Sports Fanatic

If you read this paper like most people are taught to, it’s read beginning at the top left. Therefore, if you read Kathy’s Korner, you will now get a confirmation that I am my mother’s daughter and we think alike so much occasionally that it scares me!

I began writing this column Monday afternoon, with a joy in my heart. As you regular readers know I am a sports “FAN”ATIC…I like it all!

You see Monday was Opening Day of Major League Baseball and my Atlanta Braves!

I hear from some of my best (typically male) friends that the Braves are a let down and will only leave you in post season, playoff heartbreak.

I have to disagree.

To me the Braves are more than just a baseball team in Atlanta. I’ve grown up being a hometown sports lover since I was young, always rooting for the Braves, Georgia Bulldogs, Falcons, and Hawks.

I have fond memories of being young and thinking that the trip to Atlanta to the Braves game was more than most kids my age ever got to do.

Braves games to me mean family. It’s been a tradition within my family since my Mama was young and she along with Papa chose to continue it with us.

When she married Jimmy, he took up the tradition as well and on any given Sunday, that’s where you’ll find us this season…at Turner Field.

It’s crazy to think that just last season I went to over 20 games at the Ted. My family has been to so many games that we’ve befriended the parking attendants, know them by name and offer them water when we park. We know what ushers work in “our section” in the 300’s where Jimmy can have the outdoors and air conditioned indoors if needed.

I’ve grown to love the game, know the players and their stats. I can remember and still quote Papa after the first hit of the game by saying, “there goes the no hitter.”

I’ve had many, many memories made with the Braves.

I got to take my Goddaughter to her first ever Braves game when she was 5…she, along with my best friends (her parents) have now started and continued the Braves tradition in at least another household.

I’ve had several first and last dates at the ballpark…with most of the guys not nearly as excited as I was to be at the Ted.

I’ve also brought and met tons of family and friends all while making memories and eating salty peanuts during the games.

I got a new experience last season when a group of family and friends joined other Jasperites for Jasper County Day with the Braves. I got to piggy back with Patrick and his son Evan up close and onto the field when Evan ran the bases after the game.

Come to think of it—I had my birthday at the ball park when I was 9 years old. We had tee-shirts and it poured rain before the game. I got to meet Homer the Brave and had cake and ice cream in a huge tent and my name and group ended up on the Jumbotron. I can tell you right now, that is something that I will never forget.