Batter Up!

Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the park,
Buy me some shriiimp chips and shaved ice,
I don't care if I never have rice.
So it's jia-yio, jia-yio for the Lions,
If they don't win it's a shame.
Cuz it's one! two! three strikes you're zai-jian...
At the old ball game!

Professional baseball in Taiwan feels more like an MLB training camp game. People who are really tied emotionally to the team or to a particular player go all-out crazy cheering for their idol! There are noisemakers, horns, bass drums, taiko drums, tubas, trumpets, trombones! Cheers are woven together and are fun to listen to even if I can't make out all that they are saying!

There are no cracker jacks here in the stadium, but a wide assortment of shaved milk-ice, noodle stands, and favorite Taiwanese chips and snacks.

A walk down memory lane - two of my favorites growing up in Taiwan!

 One of the fans who found out we were from the States asked me what are the major differences between baseball in the two countries. The biggest difference is how so very inexpensive it is to go to a game in Taiwan. The best seats (field level baseline seats) cost us 300NT (approximately $10) per ticket. Snacks there average $2 (ice cream sandwiches at the Big A in Anaheim run $6/each).

What a great evening, steaming in humidity and 86-degree weather, cheering on our very own Ryan Edell. Ryan is a left-handed pitcher and a personal hero of my boys. He is such a talented and kind ball player, but more importantly, he is an amazing, giving, loving friend. We were beaming and smiling ear to ear with each pitch Ryan threw. So very proud of what he's creating here in Taiwan!

A fun tradition for the 7-Eleven Lions is that each time a player hits a home run, the team throws up a stuffed doll in celebration. Micah caught a hold of one of these dolls that night, and the minute the doll was in his possession, he screamed, "GET BACK" to all the kids rushing at his direction and immediately curled into a ball (kind of reminded me of an armadillo).

So we are committed to creating amazing experiences for all of us. While it's still a void in my heart from being away from home, it's moments like this evening and all the events leading up to that which makes the sacrifices worthwhile.  A favorite photo from this day is below - a picture that captures the reason we are 6,500 miles away from our home - my hubby - and all the support system that eagerly await our return. We love each and every one of you!!