Life In Pictures

I take pictures for myself and my family, and I like to share some of them online. And then they sit on my phone for months if not years. So today, I'm putting together a post showing some of the things I saw and did over the last few months.

I took my kids to a high school baseball game in the late spring, and Pedro Tulo noticed the ring of the guy sitting next to us. It turns out that he is a retired baseball scout who spent most of his career in the Detroit Tigers organization. This ring is from the team winning the American League in either 2006 or 2012. I ended up talking with him for much of the game but the conversation mostly focused on Northern Virginia high school baseball. He still likes going to games.

The Baseball Project is a band who sings songs about baseball. They have a song about Ted Williams. A song about how Dale Murphy should be in the Hall of Fame. The video below is part of a song about Harvey Haddix and perfect games from when I saw them in September. I should probably mention that two members of The Baseball Project are Peter Buck and Mike Mills. They were also in another band you may have heard of called R.E.M.

To various degrees, my kids are all obsessed with sports. So every once in a while, I try to mix in a little culture. Twice over the last few months, I was able to mix sports and culture. In June, I took The Moose to Round House Theatre to see a 2-man show titled "King James." The show takes place in Cleveland and has four quarters: LeBron James' rookie season, after LeBron leaves, when he returns, and when the Cavs win the NBA Championship. Yes, there's plenty of sports talk, but the show is really about the relationship/friendship of the two characters over this time. 

Then, last month, I took The Moose and Pedro Tulo to see a revival of Damn Yankees at Arena Stage. I had never seen the show before, but I really enjoyed it. I'm also a big fan of seeing theater in the round. The run of Damn Yankees ended in DC, but I think the plan is for the show to go to Broadway. Both shows were big hits for the kids. 

In early September, I saw Ben Schwartz (Parks & Recreation, The Afterparty, the voice of Sonic) & Friends do an improv show at the MGM National Harbor. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. Highly recommend seeing the show if they are in your neighborhood. It's improv, so every show is completely different. For those who saw the show in the DC area, you may remember the "Attentive" song for years.

Oh, I definitely did not expect to see a Steelers' Crosby jersey at the show!

I went to a late-season Nationals-Pirates game with the lowest attendance I had ever seen at Nats Park. We also shared an elevator with the Nats mascot, Screech. I have some pictures of him posing with my kids, and um, this one of the mascot avoiding the paparazzi. Also not pictures is my kids getting pictures or autographs with Spencer Horwitz and Cam Devanney of the Pirates.

As a staff development activity, we did some painting. Even though my pumpkin doesn't look quite like the model, I'm very proud of my work. This could be worth thousands some day!

Try to guess which one is mine!

Trivia Tuesday: Baseball Edition

Since I attended two Nationals-Pirates games last week (and missed trivia night), I figured I would have a baseball-themed Trivia Tuesday. Think you know baseball? Try your luck on the rules of the game.

True or False

1. Runner on second, two out. The batter hits a home run, scoring R2 (the runner on second), but the batter-runner (B-R) is declared out for missing first base. Only one run counts.

2. An outfielder may wear a first baseman’s mitt in the outfield.

3. A B-R can never be declared out when he is hit by a thrown ball as he is running in foul territory.

4. There is a no penalty for throwing a glove at a fair ball.

5. The ball always becomes dead immediately when a balk is called.

Multiple Choice

6. One out, runner on first. The batter hits a sharp one-hopper to the first baseman. The first baseman tags R1 (runner on first), who is standing on first base, then tags the base before the B-R arrives.
a. Double play.
b. The B-R is out when first base is tagged. The runner is safe since the force was removed.
c. The B-R is out on the force. To complete the double play, R1 must be retired at second base.
d. The B-R is declared out. R1 is safe since he is not forced until the B-R touches first base.

7. With a runner on first and one out, the batter hits a pop-up to the second baseman. He gets under the ball, then backs up and lets it fall untouched in front of him. He turns an easy double play.
a. The umpire should invoke the infield fly rule.
b. The double play stands.
c. The ball is ruled dead.
d. The batter is declared out on the intentional drop and the runner may advance at his own peril.

8. No outs, runner on first. A hot grounder is smashed up the middle. The shortstop fields the ball but throws it wildly trying to retire R1 approaching second, and the ball rolls into the first-base dugout just after R1 rounded second and the B-R has touched first. Place the runners.
a. Both runners score.
b. R1 scores; B-R is awarded third.
c. R1 scores; B-R is awarded second.
d. R1 is awarded third; B-R is awarded second.

9. The batter swings and misses for strike three. The pitch touches him as he swings and the ball drops to the ground. What is the ruling?
a. The batter is out. The ball remains alive and in play.
b. The batter can run and possibly reach first base safely.
c. The ball is dead and the batter is out.
d. The ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base.

10. Runner on third and no outs with a 1-2 count on the batter. The runner attempts to steal home, and as he is sliding across the plate, he is hit by the pitch within the batter’s strike zone.
a. The ball is alive and in play. All play stands.
b. The ball is dead and the batter called out on strikes. The run scores.
c. The ball is dead and the batter called out on strikes. The runner returns to third.
d. The ball is dead. This is a double play. The batter is out on strikes and the runner is out for interference.

As always, please leave your answers in the comments section below. Good luck!

These questions were included as part of the book I’m currently reading by Bruce Weber titled "As They See ‘Em: A Fan’s Travels in the Land of Umpires."

Since we're on the topic of baseball, today is the 50th anniversary of the greatest game ever pitched. Read more about Harvey Haddix's 12 perfect innings from Sunday's Post-Gazette.