Calvin Barnes and his daughter Sally, watched the outfielder leisurely catch the softly hit fly ball, ending the top of the seventh. He rose from his seat as the graphic on the stadium’s scoreboard encouraged the fans to partake of the “7th Inning Stretch.”
“Daddy, what are you doing?” Sally asked.
“It’s the 7th Inning Stretch, honey. Look around you.”
She saw almost everyone in the bleachers stand up and partake of the time honored baseball ritual. Sally stood fascinated by so many people, natural as can be, stretching in their seats, each with a unique take. And then the music started, and everyone began to sing. She loved it.
“...and it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out, at the old...ball...game!”
She applauded along with everyone, staring in wonderment at display of camraderie.
“Does that happen every time, Daddy?”
“Of course, honey. It’s one of the best things about watching a live baseball game,” Calvin couldn’t be more pleased having his daughter at the game. She really seemed to enjoy the game. He wasn’t sure how the eight year old would like his favorite sport. Little girls tended to like whatever their fathers exposed them too. So it was no surprise Sally loved professional wrestling, the three stooges, and now, baseball. Her mother got her into unicorns, princesses, and castles. Baseball took a little more effort though, because she didn’t really grasp the rules, and it moved slowly on television.
“Why do they do that?”
“Remember what we talked about before we came to the ballpark, Sally? They play nine innings to see which side can bring the most men home,” her father said.
“I remember! Nine, nings, one ning for the elves, one ning for the dwarves, one ning for the gnomes, 5 nings for the kingdoms of men, and one ning for the Dark Lord Ruth of York,” she recited.
“Innings honey, not nings, but good job remembering! Now, when the Dark Lord was sold to the city of York by the empress Nanette, he brought his innings with him. He played pitcher, throwing better than everyone and as a better hit the ball harder,” he continued.
“Not like these sissies!” she said, jumping out of the seat.
“That’s right, honey. None of these players compare,” he smiled. Daddy’s girl.
“So the Dark Lord Ruth invented the stretch?” she asked.
“Here’s how the chronicle tells it. The Dark Lord Ruth of York held a larger stature and wider girth than the subjects of the realm,” he said.
“He was fat?” said Sally.
“We don’t say that, honey. But, yeah, he was big. So he enjoyed eating hot dogs and drinking beer. Before games, and after games. Well, sometimes even during games. So he started asking for a break in between the seventh inning. Giving himself time to eat a hot dog, and rest. And everyone in the stadium, in deference to the Dark Lord, took a little break to stretch their legs.” Calvin grinned, pleased with himself.
“Daddy. I love baseball.”
“Daddy, what are you doing?” Sally asked.
“It’s the 7th Inning Stretch, honey. Look around you.”
She saw almost everyone in the bleachers stand up and partake of the time honored baseball ritual. Sally stood fascinated by so many people, natural as can be, stretching in their seats, each with a unique take. And then the music started, and everyone began to sing. She loved it.
“...and it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out, at the old...ball...game!”
She applauded along with everyone, staring in wonderment at display of camraderie.
“Does that happen every time, Daddy?”
“Of course, honey. It’s one of the best things about watching a live baseball game,” Calvin couldn’t be more pleased having his daughter at the game. She really seemed to enjoy the game. He wasn’t sure how the eight year old would like his favorite sport. Little girls tended to like whatever their fathers exposed them too. So it was no surprise Sally loved professional wrestling, the three stooges, and now, baseball. Her mother got her into unicorns, princesses, and castles. Baseball took a little more effort though, because she didn’t really grasp the rules, and it moved slowly on television.
“Why do they do that?”
“Remember what we talked about before we came to the ballpark, Sally? They play nine innings to see which side can bring the most men home,” her father said.
“I remember! Nine, nings, one ning for the elves, one ning for the dwarves, one ning for the gnomes, 5 nings for the kingdoms of men, and one ning for the Dark Lord Ruth of York,” she recited.
“Innings honey, not nings, but good job remembering! Now, when the Dark Lord was sold to the city of York by the empress Nanette, he brought his innings with him. He played pitcher, throwing better than everyone and as a better hit the ball harder,” he continued.
“Not like these sissies!” she said, jumping out of the seat.
“That’s right, honey. None of these players compare,” he smiled. Daddy’s girl.
“So the Dark Lord Ruth invented the stretch?” she asked.
“Here’s how the chronicle tells it. The Dark Lord Ruth of York held a larger stature and wider girth than the subjects of the realm,” he said.
“He was fat?” said Sally.
“We don’t say that, honey. But, yeah, he was big. So he enjoyed eating hot dogs and drinking beer. Before games, and after games. Well, sometimes even during games. So he started asking for a break in between the seventh inning. Giving himself time to eat a hot dog, and rest. And everyone in the stadium, in deference to the Dark Lord, took a little break to stretch their legs.” Calvin grinned, pleased with himself.
“Daddy. I love baseball.”