Love living life spontaneously.

This time last Friday contained zero plans
for watching live baseball this week,
yet I can’t seem to stay away from the stadium.

The first trip was momentous,
late, exhilarating, historic,
I won’t miss this chance. 
‘Play Ball!’ is called
underneath the stadium lights.
We’re sitting in the outfield,
concessions seducing,
lifelong fans cheering
(myself included)
loud enough to wake
the dead of night,
tense, a thriller,
prayers and held breath,
then release,
the lead gained
the final outs made,
the Wildcats
on their first trip
to Omaha,
College World Series.
Players throw gloves
and hats in the air,
dogpile, bathe coach
in Gatorade,
crowd goes wild;
future zombies
of Monday’s workday.

The second trip is much more sentimental
if a no less exciting in occasion;
the high school tournament hosted in Lexington.

Dad calls two hours before gametime.
His alma mater, Owensboro Catholic, is in the quarterfinals
and my grandfather is on his way to watch it
if I have any free time to visit with him. 
I won’t miss this chance.
Two hours later, I’m taking the seat next to him,
portable oxygen in the next seat over
as we’ve done for several football games
including the state championship at Kroger Field
we very nearly won. It’s midday instead of midnight, and hot
even in the shade behind the first base dugout
straight across the field from Sunday’s seats.
He’s thrilled as always to have his grandson
able and willing to give him these hours 
on such short notice.
I love the opportunity
to share another experience with him,
hopefully celebrate a win this time-
texting updates to Dad after every inning,
throwing all of my loyalty into a school I’ve never gone to
simply because people that I love so much
carry so much love for the team. 

It’s one of the best roles I play in life right now:
to be a representative of the Aces here in Lexington,
joining members of the family who make it into town
and standing in for those who can’t.
I know Dad appreciates the effort.
Win or lose, that alone makes it all worth it.

I don’t expect returning to the stadium anytime soon,
despite the last second nature of attending these two games.
If I’m wrong, I still won’t miss my chance
because of the variety of memories it’s given me
in a span of only six days.
Seems to be
an unparalleled superpower
of the fantastic sport of baseball.