I couldn’t let Mike’s post stand. I called up a friend and arranged a trip to Dodger Stadium. Annie hadn’t been to a game since she was a few months old, and since she is less than six years away from her big decision, I can’t ever let up. I pulled out the big guns…clothes.
Yep, I bought her branded gear she could twirl in…and she loved it.
When we arrived at the stadium I took a picture with my girl right outside my old office.
We got there with plenty of time before the game, so we watched batting practice. Annie was totally into it – she couldn’t stop staring at the players.
She had plenty of snacks, and then it was time for the game to start. We had great seats (thank you, Dave!)
Annie is so hilarious – instead of being frightened by the loud crowd, she feeds off of it. When the crowd would groan, she would too. When they cheered, she would high-five.
She was really loving the Dodgers, but I had to make sure the good will lasted…somehow this adorable “Baby Dodger Bear,” found its way into Annie’s hands.
I am not above bribery!
It clearly worked:
She also thought the beach balls that went around the stands were the coolest things ever. I am FIRMLY anti-beach ball. If you want to play with a beach ball, go to the beach! But Annie thought it was so fun, and wanted to catch it. The girls a few rows back actually caught it once and handed it to her. The look of happiness on her face, while adorable, did nothing to change my anti-beach ball position. Especially when she got very, very upset when the ball didn’t come back her way.
I might have also bought her a zip-up hoodie, shush.
Luckily, Gramma distracted her with a glasses case, and all was right in her world again.
Honestly though, the best part was when she looked over at me and said, “Mama, I luff baseball.”
Mike and I both agree that more than anything, we hope she enjoys the sport that her daddy and I love so much. As long as she likes baseball, who cares which team she chooses?
(I care. I care a lot. So much that next time, I’m gonna arrange for her to meet a player and run on the field. Sorry you didn’t used to work for the Giants, Mike.)
(I WILL WIN THIS!)
Suzanne says:
As a huge baseball fan, I absolutely LOVE this post. I am fortunate that we are all Orioles fans in my household. (no one would dare like another team in my home!) However, if my husband did like another team, I would be doing exactly what you did. I think you are off to a great start!!
Lindsay from Boston says:
How about our Orioles this year?! My mom runs spring training for them in Sarasota, and this is a really exciting season!!!
Evelyn says:
Love the rivalry, that’s so adorable! Also that she can sit for a whole game is most impressive. What if she went rogue and rooted for the Angels or Oakland?!
Heather says:
Rooting for an American League team is unacceptable!
MH says:
I’m a Red Sox fan, and while I would NOT be happy about it, I could, in time, accept my child being a Yankees fan. It may take therapy. However. As a Georgia Bulldog since WAY BEFORE birth (my dad’s first job was selling Coca-Colas in the stadium), there may not be forgiveness if my kid decides they’re a Florida Gator fan. I can’t bear the thought.
Editdebs says:
You MUST win this! The Dodgers are my team (I grew up in Southern California), despite living in Chicago now. But my husband indulges my love–I’m looking at a Davey Lopes signed ball my husband got for me just a few days ago when my childhood team was here playing the Cubs. And I luff Annie!
Erin says:
NOOOO Okay just kidding. I totally get it. I actually was at the store the other day looking at adorable baseball outfits for Stella and I picked up a Twins one (we live in MN) and she kicked me really hard. It’s pretty obvious that she would like to be a giants fan, and if her uncle Erik has anything to do with it I’m sure that her and her cousin will be giants fans for life. Even if it does mean flying 4 hours across the country to root for her team.
Annie is cute in whatever baseball outfit that you put her in, but I may have to be on Mike’s side for this one and say: GO GIANTS!!!
Pattie says:
I’m not really into any sport (nor is the husband), but I’ll do my best to make Coraline a Yankees fan. It’s my hometown team and her abuelo loves it (as do her aunts and cousin), so it’s only fitting. I anticipate a lot of Yankees gear in her future.
Emily E says:
Yay for raising little baseball fans!
Michelle says:
First, that last picture of Annie is the cutest thing I have ever seen.
Second, I am really glad that my husband and I share a love for the same team (Go Cardinals!) so my boys don’t have to choose!
Finally, we are heading to our first game of the season on Monday. I seriously hope that my three year old behaves as well as Annie did!
Rebecca says:
Yes! St Louis Cardinals!!! 12 in 12~
sara says:
I will second the above Orioles fan!!! You keep fighting to win Annie’s baseball loyalty!!!
Sonya aka Glam-O-Mommy says:
LOL. This is so me Heather. Im not into baseball as much, but am a rabid fan of my hometown San Antonio Spurs (who are well on their way to a fifth championship this year, but I digress!). Sophie has Spurs gear and knows the “Go Spurs Go!” chant and says it everytime she sees them on TV. I can’t wait to take her to a Spurs game! Good luck on making Annie swear allegiance to the Dodgers.
Jolene says:
You play dirty…and I like that.
Rebecca says:
I’m sorry but I just don’t understand why you would root for either team. I am a St Louis Cardinal fan through and through and we (Cardinal Nation) are cheering for 12 in 12 (12 world series titles in 2012)
Christina says:
This made me laugh SO hard. As the Dodgers are near and dear to my heart I totally relate. And since his father taught our son to say “Angels YAY! Dodgers BOO!” at the age of zero I say this to you…Win Heather! WIN!!! Win for us ALL!!
Sleeping Mom @ Sleeping Should Be Easy says:
Go Dodgers! I’m in LA too but have yet to take my 2.5 year old to a ball game. I’m always worried he’ll throw a fit and we’ll end up having to leave the game. Seeing Annie last the whole game gives me some hope that maybe I’m overreacting
kellye says:
boo! no fair to mike! i say you each must use equal tactics to help her choose a team. orange and black for life, annie! don’t let mama fool you!
poor annie must have been so confused last night, rooting against the team she so adorably cheered for just a few days ago
Courtney says:
I think this rivalry is awesome, and Annie is totally winning out from this courtship by getting to go to all these baseball games AND getting swag!
Glenda says:
Love Annie’s little cheers! Let’s go Yankees
Rachel W. says:
Team Giants – Team Mike!
My company has a luxury box that perhaps we could arrange for you to visit…. as long as the WHOLE family (ahem, Heather) agrees to wear Giants gear
Alison says:
I have been known to pop a beach ball and give it to an usher and I strutted my feathers when I was booed. IT IS NOT OKAY. One time, a beach ball landed (ew) on my Carnation malt (yes, Carnation. Old school) and it made me drop the wooden spoon and I couldn’t finish the malt. DOWN WITH THE BEACH BALLS at Chavez Ravine! (and this is why I now only want to sit in the Dugout Club).
hdj says:
My first memories of baseball are from 2nd grade when the Dodgers beat the Giants in the world series. I’ve rooted for the Dodgers ever since. I so hope you win this one Heather. Besides, that outfit and that hoodie – super adorable!
-Also, for the fashion minded girl, she can do so much more with blue than orange and black.
-the giants pitcher is a total pot head and while I think he’s hysterical, is that a role model you want for your daughter?
Shauna says:
That beach ball thing must be so annoying! I can understand you hating that! It actually makes me laugh knowing that that would NOT fly in Philly
Seriously though, Annie is lucking out by going to all these games! I’m impressed by her ability to sit nicely during the whole game!
nikki hill says:
A very cute dodger fan. She will surely love it when she grows up. It’s nice to expose your daughter in a game like baseball. I hope she can play later or become a cheer leader.
cynthia says:
Oh Heather, go Dodgers, go!! This may be my favorite post ever, as it references my previously favorite post about “the choice”. She looks GREAT in Dodger Blue. I grew up at that stadium. I’m so jealous you used to work there.
I, too, hope she continues to love baseball, even on the off chance she gets interested in some other team. I had a small obsession with the Astros for a while, but I came back to the Dodgers as I got older, much to my mom’s delight. Re: your AL comment above, that is too funny. My little bro was an Angels fan for a while and none of us understood it.
Amanda says:
Heather, she is just so beautiful.
Jes says:
I still hold out hope that in the end that little Daddy’s girl will make the right decision and chant BEAT LA every chance she gets.
I do believe all Mike would have to do is put out a call on twitter and Giants fans everywhere would do whatever was needed to get Miss Annie on the field, meet a player, say Play Ball, hang with Lou Seal. Whatever it takes to help guide her to the right side – GO GIANTS!
Annalisa says:
You guys are too funny. Luckily for our family, I’m not into team sports. I could not care less what teams my daughter ends up a fan of. That isn’t to say that the kid isn’t spoken for: my husband’s relatives have very clear opinions on that. She’s probably going to be the only kid in Seattle who’s a Saints’ fan. But at least “it’s okay” for her to like the Mariners.
Auntie_M says:
You guys kill me!!!! LOL
Meg says:
Baseball is the best! I’m pissed that the Twins aren’t coming back to California this year (oh, and that they suck some serious butt this season.)
mccgoods says:
It’s rough in our household as well. I am a Red Sox fan (that’s hard to admit right now) and my husband is a Yankee fan. I really hope we have children some day so I can encourage the children to be Red Sox fans and we can continue the fun we have as a couple.
AmazingGreis says:
She is definitely a girl after my HEART…baseball FOREVER. Next time I’m there I’m totally getting her to root for the RIGHT team…GO ASTROS!