Sunsets and flyball fun at the baseball
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This summer, the team at HerCanberra are broadening their personal horizons.
They’re doing something different and leaping out of their comfort zones in an effort to bring you some new perspectives on getting out and about in Canberra.
Here, our Associate Editor Emma Macdonald bucks decades of decidedly anti-sporting social activity to take her family out to a baseball game. Turns out, she loves it.
It is a sweltering Canberra evening as we pull into MIT Ballpark in Narrabundah. But there is colour and movement up ahead in a giant stand. Jazz floats over the scene as talented musos from the Australian National University’s School of Music take over a stage near the dugout and we survey a vast and green baseball pitch behind an enormous net.
Suddenly, I feel so American! It’s just like in the movies.
As the aroma of hot dogs wafts past our noses, crowds are filing in and filling up with all sorts of craft beer while speakers blare out snippets of the tin pan alley song “Take me out to the Ballgame”.
Meanwhile, a gaggle of the tiniest cutest baseball players (they must be the under-tens) are decked out in full uniform, excitedly awaiting their chance to momentarily take to the field as the team is introduced.
And amid much fanfare – bursts of fireworks and even a very well-behaved horse and rider on the field – I see our very own local team the Canberra Cavalry for the first time. They look really quite dashing, and as it turns out, we have a very fine team indeed – the Cavalry has won 19 out of 32 games this summer season.
Baseball started professionally in Canberra 25 years ago with a team called The Bushrangers. The sport has grown, earned the support of the ACT Government and various big-name sponsors and now Canberra boasts a vibrant baseball scene, nurturing talent through a variety of youth teams which start from age four via the game of t-ball, which is a favourite in primary schools thanks to its accessibility for kids of all sizes, levels of ability and genders.
But suddenly I am distracted by a large team mascot, Sarge, who is working the crowd and getting everyone geed up for the game. We take our seats in the stands and it all begins. With the first crack of the bat against ball, we are excited – not to mention grateful for our comfy seats behind the giant net.
The balls ricochet around the field with dizzying velocity and it is fairly easy to follow what is going on. As the sky turns a glorious pink, I feel a sudden surge of happiness watching my two children underneath their Cavalry caps scoffing two enormous hot dogs.
Meanwhile, my husband and I are thrilled to be tucking into two Grease Monkey burgers thanks to the van that has conveniently set up on site (tips to newcomers, place your orders early as the queues get lengthy for these guys). There’s also a BentSpoke shipping container to make sure no one gets dehydrated (in the heat of course) and if beer isn’t your thing, there is also Wine in a Glass (jar) which is a convenient way to partake of your beverage of choice.
But back to the game. There are nine innings in which many a home run is scored (by our side, yay!), many a balletic catch is made (man these guys can leap) and balls both fair and foul fly though the air.
Our son eventually joins a gaggle of kids off to the side of the field watching in anticipation for a fly ball to come their way. We stay gratefully behind the nets and try to keep up. While the batting and pitching takes most of the attention, there is a great game of drama and bluff which takes place on the diamond when players try to sneak to the next base. One guy gets stuck halfway between second and third and for a moment we all hold our breath as the opponents toss the ball back and forth to try and get him out. Not to be deterred he makes a break for third and narrowly avoids getting tagged. It’s a little bit Rugby in that moment, but what would I know?
As the sun sets fully and the field is illuminated by giant lights, the Cavalry strengthens its lead and we are kept constantly entertained by the music, commentary, and mid-game entertainment, including swing dancers and audience games on field.
It is extremely kid-friendly and the crowd is composed of every age, including a heavy contingent of what look to be rusted-on fans.
Best of all, as the night draws to a close, our son returns to his seat with a triumphant grin on his face. He has claimed his very first fly ball. The obliging Cavalry team members are only too happy to sign the ball after the game. We go home with music in our heads and the echo of balls cracking against wood in our ears.
We can’t wait to go back to the ballpark.
the essentials:
What: Canberra Cavalry Baseball Games
Where: The Fort at MIT Ballpark, Goyder Street Narrabundah.
When: The season runs to January 20, with the Season Finale Weekend on Thursday January 17 – Sunday January 20.
Cost: Tickets start at $20 for a single adult and can be bought here. Or a special Taste of Braddon Ticket, which includes a ticket to the game, a Grease Monkey Burger, and a BentSpoke beer, all for $30 can be bought here and used for any game. Click here.
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