Play ball!

We went to our first Long Island Ducks game of the season Saturday night.  We go to 7-8 games every year.  It’s a fun night out, and a lot less expensive than going to Citi Field or another major league ballpark.

We have our routine — get there early, before the gates open, so that we have time to walk around the concourse, pick up food, and take our seats before the national anthem is played.

We sit in the upper deck, behind home plate.  Which gave to an excellent view of the drone.

They experimented with the drone during the pregame festivities, but not during the game itself.

It was kind of sad to see the pregame activity and not see Bud Harrelson.  Harrelson, a hero of the ‘69 Mets, is a part owner of the Ducks, and has always been on the field, in uniform, to support the team.  But Harrelson announced he’d be cutting back on appearances this year, as he is not well — he has Alzheimer’s.

But do not fear, the torch has been passed.  Wally Backman — yes, that Wally Backman, who so famously played second base for the ‘86 Mets — is the current manager of the New Britain Bees, Saturday night’s visiting team.

It was a good game.  It started out rough, with the Bees scoring four runs in the second inning.  But then, in the bottom of the sixth, the Ducks’ bats came alive, and they scored 7 runs.  Final score was 7-5.

And guess who became the Ducks’ closer this year?  K-Rod!  Yes, former Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez is now  a Duck.

The end of the evening:

The skies opened up as we left the ballpark.  A cold, drenching rain.  Made for an interesting drive home.