I went to my first Richmond Braves game about 15 years ago when Ron and I were dating. We've been to at least a couple of games every year since, now with kids in tow, and we've spent many 4th of July evenings watching America's pastime and the fireworks that follow at Braves Stadium. The stadium is just about an hour from our house, just far enough that our kids would arrive home sound asleep when they were younger. The home games are one of our favorite family outings, even when we've gone years without seeing the Braves win a game.
Because of a dispute over who should foot the bill for a new stadium, the Braves are leaving Richmond after this season. I hope that Thomas will always remember the last game we attended last year, where the second baseman had a terrible game and redeemed himself by hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game. I will always remember the first game we took him to, at two years old. He was awestruck, and for several years he lived for the seventh inning stretch. He has a much more sophisticated understanding of the game now than I do. For Annamarie, it's all about the Cracker Jacks and lemonade.
We will be here for as many games as we can manage this year, but next spring and summer there will be a hole in our hearts.
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