CMU Football Fun

Last on our agenda was the second outing for the kids enjoying Central Michigan football. We went down a little early to stop by the baseball field and shop at the bookstore. We battled rain, but it led up in the second quarter to become a beautifiull night. The Chips won 33-0 and we were able to get onto the field after the game. The kids aren't really used to football, as we usually attend baseball and hockey games, but still had a fun time with me and Papa. We'll see about taking Brian next year...we'll see....

2010 Baseball Trip

I guess I'm not going to go into as much detail about our trip as usual, because i really posted good blogs and tons of pic on my mlblog. Here it is:

http://burrilltalksbaseball.mlblogs.com/

'Minoring In Baseball'

We had a great time hitting all of the Minor League teams in Iowa, and a college and MiLB game in Illinois. We also saw the Field of Dreams movie site and went to Norway, IA, which is home to the true story and movie 'The Final Season'. We caught a few foul balls and drank a few beers along the way, too. Not sure where we will go next year, but can't wait.

The GMAC Bowl In Alabama

Last week my dad and I headed down to Mobile, Alabama to support his CMU Chippewa football team in the GMAC Bowl. We had a great time, but the weather was just as cold as it was in Michigan. We battled freezing rain to get to Grand Rapids, but finally made it to Mobile in the 5th.

Still tired from very little sleep and a long flight, we had plenty to do to keep us awake. After leaving the airport, we went right to Mobile's Minor League baseball stadium. Hank Aaron Stadium is home of the BayBears. The gentleman working was great to us, opening the gift shop and the stadium so we could get some pictures.

From there is was to the hotel for a well deserved nap. After that, we walked around Mobile a bit, downing a beer or two and getting ready for the Mardi Gras parade. The parade was great, and we got a lot of free stuff thrown at us that I saved for the kids. We finished the night off with a cold beer at a local sports bar.

Wednsday was gameday, and we took a bus to the stadium and that was a lot easier for us. What a great game, as CMU beat Troy 44-41 in double OT for the victory. I was real happy for my dad that they won. We would have a good time no matter what, but this made it even better. The whole trip was a fun experience for both of us, just getting away from the snow for awhile.

First NCAA Football Game Fun For Kids

Lily and Trevor enjoyed their first taste of NCAA Football this past weekend when they went to Mt. Pleasant to watch the Central Michigan Chippewas take on the Temple Owls. Papa has season tickets so we had no problem getting good seats for the event. Brought up on hockey and baseball, they really didn't know what to think of football at first, but ended up having a really good time after awhile. They liked the band and the half-time show. Lily, now being a cheer leader herself, like watching the college kids perform. After the game we got to go on the field and get some pictures. All in all, they had a fun day with Papa and Nana. We'll plan on getting them to another game next year, too. Oh, yeah, CMU won the game 24-14 which made it a bit more fun.

Baseball Trip 2008

This years baseball trip was another long one, but seemed to fly by as we had so much fun. We crossed Lake Michigan by taking the S.S. Badger from Ludington to Manitowoc, Wi, and then the Lake Express from Milwaukee to Muskegon for the ride home. We had a great time in Wisconsin, and everyone was great to us. Here's the rundown:
May 13-Mt. Pleasant, MI: We started off our trip watching the Central Michigan Chippewas beat Michigan State 14-6. Great game with a lot of scoring. Weather was nice, but a bit windy. Really a nice stadium, with a lot of brick which gives it an 'classic' ballpark feel. I was able to get some game balls for the kids here, too. Sault native Billy Anderson went 1-4 with an RBI in the win.
May 14-Milwaukee, WI: Our first trip to Miller Park in Milwaukee was one to remember. This is probably the best modern ballpark I've been to yet. The closed roof kept is nice and comfy thoughout the game. I was kind of in 'awe' of the place, it is so nice. Too bad the Brewers couldn't hold the lead late in the ninth, and ended up losing to the L.A. Dodger 6-4.
May 15-Milwaukee, WI: This game was just as fun, but went by too fast. I love getting up in the morning and hitting a game at noon, though. Eat. Sleep. Baseball. That's all there is too it. Again, the Brewers were roughed up by the Dodgers this time 7-2. The game was tied at 0 when L.A. scored six runs in the seventh off three home runs. We did get to see Ryan Braun hit one out for Milwaukee, though, which was cool. I would love to come back to Miller Park and watch another game. Good fans and a great baseball atmosphere. Beloit, WI: We then headed south to watch the Beloit Snappers from the Midwest League. I didn't know how well I'd be recieved there wearing my Whitecaps gear, since the 'Caps beat Beliot for the Championship last season. Everyone was super nice to us, nontheless. Pohlman Field is just that: a field. Not a stadium or ballpark. A field. Dont' get me wrong, it's more than we have up here. We got to meet Kaptain K who sits behild the Snappers dugout and counts the strikeouts with his 'K' signs. They also sported the big guy who brought his tuba to the game and the handfull of drunk guys who sit in the last row and hagle the players and umps. No profanity from these guys, just good natured ribbing. Not 40 people in the stands, but a fun experience for us. Again, the people there were just really nice. Another loss, unfortuneately, as the Snappers fell to the Clinton Lumber Kings 4-2.
May 16-Grand Rapids, MI: We ended the trip with a double header at our 'home' field with the Whitecaps taking on the Lansing Lug Nuts. The 'Caps won game one 6-3, with pitcher Alfredo Figaro earing the win to improve to 5-1. In the second game, the 'Caps failed to score and got beat 5-0. A beautifull night for baseball, though, and it was good to be 'home'. We'll be back down for some more Whitecaps this summer.
Can't wait until next year's trip. We're thinking of either going up to Toronto, or hitting some minor teams in Indiana. Will be fun no matter what.