I never could resist a pun. It's doubtful you'll find a Shel Silverstein reference on a sports dedicated blog, but here they are. I could go on for hours about what fans are (or aren't) entitled to, what professional athletes do (or don't deserve.) And I did. Even without the guidance of my editor, I took a time out and went to the bullpen...which is where I was wanting to go in the first place.
Baseball. Love it. I've been a fan. Well, I was, then I wasn't, then I was, but, oh well, never mind. I had missed the game. I missed my brother too. I hadn't seen him in 3 years and I hadn't cared much about the game for the better part of the last 25. But 2017 would be different.
I took a vacation in April. Since my wife and kids would still be in school for a few days before Spring Break began, I thought I'd make the 500-plus mile jaunt up to Pennsylvania to visit family. Besides that, I'd be around the Philly sports I lived and died with growing up, with another hometown team the Lehigh Vally Ironpigs. It was a shame I wasn't going to make opening night, so I'd have to settle on taking my brother to their second game the following night.
It was a horrible drive up. The weather got worse the closer I got. By the time I checked into my hotel in Allentown, I was ready to just go to bed, but, well one more check of the day's scores. As luck would have it, my brother, PJ, and I would be attending the home opener after all. That night's game was rained out.
So Friday, April 7, 2017 we went to see the Ironpigs. It was cold. Mid-40s. It was still wettish. It's exactly the kind of weather where if you don't want to REALLY be doing something, you would have stayed home. And a number of empty seats reflected that statement. It was an eventful game though, 14-7, although not in favor of my hometown Pigs, and I did get get a foul home run distance ball. But the best part of the game came around the 5th inning.
Despite having some very good seats. PJ and I had been moving throughout Coca-Cola Park since the bottom of the 3rd. The bathrooms and the club's shop were the only warm places anywhere. We went out to right field during the 4th and each grabbed a beer at the concession stand out there. No matter where we stood, we couldn't seem to get away from the wind, which was making the cold seem more unbearable. About half-way through our cups I pointed to the stands out in left field. I thought there was a spot we could try
Shortly after finding what appeared to be the one spot sans wind, one of the Lehigh Valley pitchers started to get loose in the bullpen located down below where we stood. Venditte was the name on the back of the jersey. I was focused on watching him as my brother took turns between game action, the pen and just generally looking around the park. I only remember a few throws with his right arm, and I did notice that his glove seemed rather large.
I took the last gulp to finish my beer and when I viewed Venditte this time, he popped the glove throwing with his left arm. I watched another pitch with the left and nudged my brother.
"Wasn't he throwing righty?" I said.
"How many have you had?" he said, looking down at my cup.
We both paused and glanced back toward the pen.
"I think?" he added questioningly.
I carefully counted the fingers on Venditte's glove. One, two, three, four, five, SIX?! It looked like 6.
"Give me a program," I called as I reached for my brother's jacket pockets.
Flip, flip, flip, through the pages.
"Dude, he's a switch-pitcher!" I said as elbowed PJ.
We watched in awe, appreciating a rare moment. And then it got better. Pat Venditte entered the game in the 6th, eventually ending the inning with a strikeout. He threw the 7th righty as well. During the 8th inning, he came out lefty, walked a batter and switched back to right-handed. A double play, started by Venditte and another strikeout ended the inning, and his 2 1/3 innings on the mound.
I've never looked at a box score that indicated which arm the pitcher would be throwing with until this one. Check out the game logs for the 6th and 8th innings and see for yourself.
So, not to Ron White you, but, I told you that story, to tell you this story...
I hadn't been this excited about baseball in almost 25 years. I had to take my kids to see another game. As luck would have it, The Ironpigs played in the International League with Charlotte and Durham, both within a 3-hour drive from home for me, with Durham being closer.
Fate determined the date, July 20th against the Bulls in Durham. My kids would be flying back into Raleigh on the 19th and I would be able to get off work, my wife and I could meet them and take in the game the next night.
I was a nice night for a ballgame, but we'll go short on this one. Pat was never put in, but he did warm-up the left fielder one inning, throwing the first with the right before going all left after that. However, the game wasn't the best part.
We were on the 3rd base side near the bullpen. I specifically selected those seats so we'd be near the Lehigh Valley players, where Venditte might be seen up close and the potential for foul balls. Well, didn't get at ball, at least, not during the game. After the game was over, people were making their way out through the rows, slowly and courteously. This one dad was there with his adorable little girl. I think every player that walked by them gave them a game ball, truthfully, it was something like four. Anyway, as the dad headed past us, he glanced at my son and said something very nice (I don't remember exactly) and handed me one of the game balls which I passed on to my son.
I knew I had to work fast. I quickly grabbed my IronPigs logo Sharpie from my pocket and headed one row down to be at the edge of the field, beginning to yell, "Pat, Pat" toward Venditte, who was heading toward the dugout from the bullpen. Grandma chimed in with yelling as well. Luckily we got his attention and he came over, as I moved my son in front of me while he held the ball.
It was a perfect night. My son, who I can hardly get to wear any team gear to sporting events, was wearing his IronPigs t-shirt. My team won (first one of those I saw in 4 tries, so I can apparently only go to away games). And we got Pat Venditte's autograph on a game ball.
It was a night that validates your fandom, when a rare person with unique skills takes the time for a boy and his dad that enjoy a simple game.
Thank you Pat Venditte and Lehigh Valley IronPigs for making some great memories for us in 2017.
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