This was going to be my last trek to Chicago for the 2009 season.  Another Milwaukee ballhawk was accompanying me. 
Do you remember Kenny from 9/16/09 at Wrigley Field?  We decided awhile back that we would hit both Chicago stadiums before the season came to a close.

We arrived at “The Cell” around 5:00pm.  We had only 30 minutes before the gates opened, so, we jumped in line outside GATE 5.  I could tell the crowds were thinning compared to earlier in the year.  No pennant race…no passion.  Sad but true.

While we were standing in line, a guy standing at the front of the line asked me,
“are you Nick…The Happy Youngster?”

I said I was and we began to chat it up.  He told me his name is Mike and that he ballhawks from time to time in the Chicago area.  When he told me he was not particularly fond of the “northside team,” things were all good.  It’s kind of like knowing the secret handshake with me.  Ya’ know?  If you know the handshake (or in this case, you don’t like the Cubs), we have something in common. 

We exchanged a few stories, a few opinions and then we went over our game plans.  He told me he enjoys my blog and before we knew it, the gates were opening and the fun was about to begin.

As I was running in, I looked to left field.  There were people already standing out in the left field bleachers.  WTF?!  How the hell did they get in already?  Oh well…there would be no easter eggs because of this.  I also noticed that the Twins were already on the field taking BP.  Usually, I catch the last 3-4 minutes of Sox BP…not this time.

After about 10 minutes of wondering what the hell happened to all the glove-trick possibilities, Orlando Cabrera lifted one high and deep to left field.  I ran up a few rows and when the ball was just within reach, I jumped as high as I could and caught the ball on the fly.  It felt like I really got up there but I’m pretty sure it was all in my head.  (I’m convinced the catch inflated my sense of accomplishment just a tad).

After banging my knees on every bleacher/bench/railing in the place over the next 20 minutes, I began to see the writing on the wall. 
Of the few baseballs that were hit in the stands, I was not meant to snag any more of them…unless I wanted to spend my offseason rehabbing from reconstructive knee surgery.
“The Cell” is awful for running after baseballs.  The rows are long and not spacious.  Half of the bleachers are actual bleachers and the other half are actual seats. 

A total nightmare scenario.

Disgruntled, I took my Jake Taylor knees over to right field.  I took a peek into the visitor’s bullpen.  Aha!  A glove-trick possibility.  It was lying on a rolled up portion of tarp.  I could see it was a Metrodome commemorative ball, too.  After no time flat, the ball was reeled up.

Would you believe that’s all BP would provide today?  Two measly baseballs.  Wow.

Look at how thrilled I am…

Kenny snagged two of his own…

A group shot taken after BP…