White Sox Father/Daughter Game

On Sunday, June 12th we headed to the southside of Chicago to Cellular Field for the Annual Father/Daughter White Sox game.  This is an annual event for the White Sox and is held around Father's Day each year.  Derek loves to attend this day and always looks for the date when the MLB schedules come out in the winter.  This was our third Father/Daughter game.  Last year we missed the event because our little guy was just a few weeks old anad wasn't quite ready for his first White Sox game.

 We left early Sunday morning and stopped for a quick breakfast at a small cafe along the interstate.  It was a fifties themed cafe and had a statue of the Blues Brothers, which Addy took an interest to and asked tot ake a picture with.  Addy isn't the most cooperative with pictures, so when she asks for one to be taken of her I always oblige.

We got to the ballpark a bit early so we decided to tailgate in the parking lot with the other die hard tailgaters.  Our version of tailgating wasn't as serious and thought out as others.  We sat in the back of our opened SUV munching on PB& J sandwiches, Cheetos, and Chips Ahoy.  We were envious of the grills and tailgate gear around us and decided that would would come up for a game and tailgate for real sometime.

Tailgating in the parking lot

Before the game the White Sox always have activites planned outside the gate for the Father/Daughter Day participants.  There were outdoor games set up, face painting, a balloon guy, etc.  This was the first year in which Addy actually cared about all of the activites.  She had a great time playing the games with her Dad and was so excited to get her face painted with fireworks.  Carter also got his face painted and even though he didn't seemed as enthused about it, he sat remarkably still while the lady was painting the Sox logo on his cheek. 

The highlight of the Father/Daughter Day festivities is the pregame parade in which all of the attendees get to participate in a parade that travels the perimeter of the ballfield.  It is really a fun experience and it something Derek loves doing with his kids.  It's so much fun to watch the smile on his face as he get so walk Carter and Addy around U.S. Cellular Field.  Each year we do this we are always on the lookout for any players or coaches that are lingering around the field.  This year we hit the jackpot.  While walking down the left field line Juan Pierre waved to Addy and a group of kids and Gavin Floyd walked right by us on his way to the bull pen.  As we rounded the area near home plate we noticed Tommy Lasorda was on the field for a pregame ceremony.  He was standing around chatting with another guy who looked to be pretty important.  As we got closer we approached them to say hello and the man with Tommy L. pointed to Addy's painted face and asked if we did this to you.  That is when Derek and I figured out that the other guy was actually Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of the White Sox and Bulls.  Tommy Lasorda was very nice and was so gracious when I asked him if we could take a picture with him.  He even lifted Addy up to make sure she was in the picture.  Unfortunatley others had swamed in and were unable to get a picture with Mr. Reinsdorf, but it was really neat to just get to talk with him!  After that we finished our walk around the field and then headed to our seats.
Derek and Carter were also on the JumboTron during the parade around the field.  Fortunatly I looked up at just the right time and took a picture of the big screen. 

Making a catch in the outfield

Posing with Tommy Lasorda

Derek and Carter on the Jumbotron

Posing in front of the dugout



Addy and Carter love their Daddy!


We had upper level seats and when we located them we decided to move up several rows because it wasn't a sell out and we were able to take advantage of an empty row.  The weather was gorgeous and the temperature in the high seventies; it was great baseball weather!  We actually got to stay for the entire game, which we weren't expecting at ALL!  We cheered the Sox on to a 5-4 victory over Oakland.  We were so happy that we were able to stay the whole game and see the White Sox win.  Addy enjoyed the fireworks at the end of the game to celebrate the win.  She talks about Father/Daughter Day pretty frequently and has officially declared the White Sox as one of her teams.  The game was a great way to celebrate Father's Day a little early and is somethings we won't soon forget! 

Baseball Buddies

Face Painted+balloon doggie+ White Sox win= Perfect Day!