Father's Day Gift

On Friday evening my dad and I made a trip to Springfield to watch a baseball game. Seems simple enough - and it was...and that was kind of the point.

I suspect that I'm not the only adult son who has struggled to figure out what to buy for his dad on Father's Day. Dad's tend to fall into a couple of categories (and I'm sure I will too someday). There are those who don't really need or want much - either because they have everything or just don't have interests and hobbies outside their work and family. Then there are those whose interests and hobbies are too expensive for most people to meaningfully gift-give related thereto.

My dad is more in the former category. He has the things he needs and isn't someone who wants a lot of things - something I respect about him - so when birthdays, Christmas, and Father's Day roll around knowing how to honor him in meaningful ways can be a challenge.

It's easy to just say that a dad is hard to buy for and that ends up coming across negatively toward the person. I don't think it's that simple. I think it is difficult because often we as their children don't fully grasp what dad really enjoys and wants - a lot of times he wants to spend time with his kids (especially the adult ones who are off living their own lives now).

So back to our simple journey to Springfield....

For this to make sense you need some background. Baseball has been an integral part of my life and that of my family as far back as I can remember. Whether it was me playing or us watching at all levels of play - including a lot of Braves games on TBS - baseball is kind of part of the fabric of our family, something we all get, something we hold in common and can enjoy together (every family needs a few of those things).

Here's the list of major league parks dad and I (and in many cases my mom and sister) have been in together:
- Kauffmann (KC)
- Old Busch (STL)
- Wrigley (CHC)
- Skydome (TOR)
- Old Yankees (NYY)
- Fenway (BOS)
- Heinz (PIT)
- Camden (BAL)
- Turner (ATL)
- Arlington (TEX)

Add to that a few of minor league parks - Bricktown, Drillers, and now Hammons.

There are only a couple of parks I've been to without dad - Coors, Anaheim (whatever that one is called), and a minor league park in Johnson City, TN.

Before the game we made a quick stop at the Chipotle up the street from Hammons Field - nothing like a huge burrito before a game. I think dad had only been to a Chipotle one other time. I was pretty sure he'd like it because he would appreciate the freshness and simplicity of the approach, while enjoying the ingredients (unless you're a vegetarian who doesn't like rice, beans, steak, chicken or pork, salsa, cheese, etc. all wrapped in a massive tortilla?).

Friday turned out to be a great evening, cool enough to enjoy sitting outside at a great ballpark. I'll give it to the folks at Hammons, they know how to entertain between innings. People sometimes complain about baseball being slow. Those of us who love the game would argue that it's deliberate and the complainers don't understand what's really going on. The game (which the Cardinals double-A affiliate won 2-1) moved quickly, had some good pitching, a few good hits and plays in the field.

In addition to getting to see a good game (and this is one of the great things about watching baseball) we were able to sit and talk about all sorts of stuff. And I think that's the key, it gave us time to spend together that we don't normally get. It is my theory that more often than we realize, time and no agenda is what our dads really want.

When it was over we were treated to a very nice fireworks show (it was July 3rd).

I'm pretty sure it was the best Father's Day gift I have managed in several years. And opens some options for me going forward. There are all sorts of events and experiences I could take dad to - just takes a little creativity.