I Wish We Had Fall Days Like This
We went to The Ohio State University’s football team’s spring game on Saturday. It was just an intra-squad scrimmage but we had a great time. We caravanned to the game and tailgated just like we do in the fall. Of course, since The Girl was there, we kicked a soccer ball around rather than threw a football. Because the kids are always playing sports on Saturdays in September and October, we hadn’t ever gone to a game as family. I had been with The Boy, and been with California Girl. But the kid’s schedules never permitted the four of us to go together.
The weather was perfect; sunny but not too warm and of course, they can’t lose since they’re playing themselves. It wasn’t as crowded as a “real” game in the fall, there were “only” 65,000 people there; but we had all of the fun that accompanies a regular game. By the time their seasons are over, it’s usually too cold to plan an outing; especially since tickets are so expensive. But I’m hoping that there will be one warm, sunny Saturday this November where we can do it again.
Update: The Girl scored a goal at her game today (Sunday). She doesn’t usually play forward so scoring opportunities are rare. Today she scored on the second shot she took. It really was a great play; but now everything she says starts with “Since I scored a goal today…”
Comments
Comment from HM
Time April 24, 2006 at 7:53 am
I’m glad you had a wonderful time at the game.
Way To Go!! That’s for your daughter. She sounds like quite the soccer player.
Comment from melanie
Time April 24, 2006 at 9:06 am
Damn! I’ll be glad when football season starts. It’s my favorite time of the year.
And you know she’s gonna take that “phrase” as far as she can. Kids know which buttons to push don’t they?
Comment from Ed
Time April 24, 2006 at 9:33 am
MCB, a question for you. Do you find it easier to have a “knock-about” with a soccer ball than a football? My son plays rugby (which is, of course, played with a ball similar to American Football) but wherever we go as a family we nearly always end up kicking a soccer ball around between us, rather than playing with a rugby ball - because it’s easier. Might explain why soccer is such a universal sport played in almost every country on the planet while American Football and rugby are minotity sports (in world terms).
Glad to see she’s milking it for all its worth. 
Comment from Midwestern City Boy
Time April 25, 2006 at 12:20 am
Rosie: Yes. We really had a god time fun. The kids love going to football games. Of course we ate so much before the game that we couldn’t eat dinner when we got home.
HM: She is a good offensive player but she usually plays defense since the coaches philosophy is to defend first and attack second. She played well all around on Sunday. In fact, even some of the parents on the other team complimented me on her game.
Melanie: OSU’s spring game is a tradition around here. It gives a good preview of what they are going to be like in the fall. They are stocked so it’s going to be a good season for them.
The Girl hasn’t gotten as much mileage as she had hoped for but I did tell her that we would go out to eaty one day this week and she could pick where.
Ed: We have a football too since it’s a “required accessory” for tailgating; but soccer balls are easier to play with. I’ve got a nice leather football just like they use in the pros but we have a harder time with it than a cheap synthetic soccer ball.
I think that the reason soccer is so popular is that the rules are so simple. You don’t need a referee or a scorekeeper. Even at the highest levels, you only have three our four officials. Football has the same number of players but more than twice as many officials.
Comment from Rosie
Time April 23, 2006 at 11:00 pm
Glad you were able to enjoy OSU. Sounds like a very special time. And the Girl is quite special also.