| My Buddy Sam is a huge Yankees fan. He grew | | | | much more expensive. After debating for a few |
| up in New York City, and after growing up | | | | days and talking to some of Sam's other friends I |
| moved out of state. Now he lives about four | | | | canceled the idea of buying tickets to a ball game. |
| hours away from New York but is still a die-hard | | | | Instead I bought Sam a jersey that he can wear |
| fan. For years Sam caught several games a year. | | | | when he is watching the games on TV. I know; |
| Then he started a family and the extra funds | | | | what a letdown. So much for bright ideas with a |
| dried up pretty quickly. I know that Sam loves his | | | | skinny wallet. |
| family, but missing the ball games bothers him. He | | | | Sam played baseball in school and thought about |
| watches the games on TV but I know he would | | | | doing it as a career, but life got in the way. He |
| rather be there in person, even for one game. | | | | has had to content himself with video games. I |
| I made it my mission to get him two tickets to | | | | grew up as an Army brat and soccer was the |
| an upcoming baseball game for his birthday. When | | | | sport in Europe. I have never really learned |
| I made it my mission, I didn't have a clue as to | | | | enough about baseball to appreciate it. I have |
| the cost of decent baseball tickets. I was in for | | | | been tempted to play a video game, but I would |
| quite a shock; no wonder Sam stopped going to | | | | probably ruin it for Sam. |
| games. I managed to find some tickets that | | | | Cut to the present: there's my buddy, in his |
| weren't so outrageous, but they were bleacher | | | | jersey, missing the big game. He's still "got" game |
| seats, not what I had in mind as a gift. There is | | | | but instead of swinging the bat, or even finding his |
| no way Sam would want that. The great seats | | | | seat at the stadium, he's in his recliner with the |
| were hundreds of dollars and there was no way | | | | remote or the joystick. But he's still Sam, and he's |
| to afford them outside of donating blood (mine | | | | still happy. Another day my friend. |
| and 30 of my closest friends). Time to rethink | | | | So guys, if America's sport is pricey for you, try |
| my mission. | | | | the jersey and laptop thing. And if people think |
| We have a few minor league baseball teams that | | | | you're cheap, tell them...you could always be |
| are local and it's fairly cheap to attend a game. I | | | | cheaper? |
| had no clue the major league tickets would be so | | | | |