Sometimes a baseball game is just a baseball game, and other times it’s an excuse to gather with family and or friends. I’ll still argue that a ballpark is a great backdrop for such an occasion.

This past Sunday I met with my cousin Rich and his wife Luci and went to another game in Beloit. A roughly 80-mile drive is rarely convenient, but in this case it was as they live twenty minutes from the park. Because my cousin has been laid up this was a chance to get out and do something productive-like see a game.

Thanks to the Sky Carp ticket office I was able to get a table for four down the right field line which gave us enough room to accommodate Rich’s gear (he is between ankle operations) and it was ALS day which meant there were more wheelchairs than usual. The table was far better than the ADA approved seats at the ballpark. When I attend games by myself I don’t worry much about food. However, as I was hosting, I had occasion to experience the inconveniences of the ballpark and no-cash. What a joke!

Luckily, Rich was intent on keeping perfect score of the game, so I didn’t really miss much action. Heading into the game I did a little recon on the Lake County Captains (Cleveland) and was trying to figure how long a leash their starting pitcher, Braylon Doughty would get. The twenty-year-old pitcher hadn’t made it beyond five innings in any of his previous starts. It didn’t appear that he was part of a piggyback as far as I could tell.

He got off to a great start, striking out the first 6 Beloit hitters without exceeding 93mph. He did keep them off balance without doing anything spectacular. Then again, 5 of the starting 9 were hitting below the Uecker line (.200) heading into the game.

Everything fell apart for Doughty after those first six batters as he allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in the bottom of the 3rd. The Carp followed up with singletons in the next two innings to take a commanding 5 -1 lead after 5.

The Captains did not play very good ball and their most recent 1st round pick, Jace Laviolette didn’t look great (he’s got a long swing). Conversely, the Sky Carp took advantage of their sluggishness and Brandon Compton stole two bases. I still can’t get excited by the Marlins; I mean Sky Carp brand of baseball. If you have an advantage, you should do everything in your power to exploit that edge.

While the game itself wasn’t compelling and nobody did anything to grab our attention, it was a most enjoyable afternoon. Sometimes the company can make up for a lackluster game. Seventeen total base hits, but only two extra base hits (both doubles). The home team held on to win 7-4. It’s funny how MLB believes they’ve made strides calling the disabled list, the injured list and yet all ballparks are governed by ADA rules (Americans with Disabilities Act).

I’m glad that I was able to take advantage of the circumstances and spend an afternoon with beloved family (even if they are Sox-Orioles fans).

Editor’s note: I haven’t looked at the photos I took so I don’t know if any will appear in an upcoming post.