More Spring Fun - Florida Style

Yesterday's spring training weekend tour included a trip a few minutes north to Bradenton to see the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Philadephia Phillies at McKenchie Field.  It was a lopsided game, with the Pirates blown out 11-4.  In between innings, there were festivities on the field including the Pirates mascot, Parrot, wearing boxing gloves and shorts and duking it out with a young fan.  Hilarity ensued when the little boy pulled down Parrot's shorts.  I love that the Pirates' catcher is oblivious to what's going on.

McKenchie Field is rather small and media photographers are allowed to stand behind home plate in the walkway.  So, I sidled up next to a photog and acted like I was supposed to be there.  Imagine my surprise when a stadium attendant approached me, and rather than telling me to leave, he suggested that I walk down five rows all the way to the front and crouch down to take some shots.  Wow!  I didn't want to overstay my welcome, but I captured this shot of Brandon Moss at the plate.   A big thanks to that friendly attendant.

After the game, we noticed a little boy running on the field with a baseball heading into right field.   A short time later, two police officers were trying to get his attention to stop.  Naturally, the little boy thought it was a fun game and started running around the entire warning track....with one of the officers in pursuit.  It was pure entertainment!  By the end, it appeared the little one was the son of a Phillies player.  The player and the officer shook hands and that was the end of that fun, unexpected chase scene.