Originally uploaded by <a (the

Originally uploaded by <a (the Single A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays) play in lovely , in downtown (you'll never guess) Lansing. Tonight, as an exhibition to start off their season, they played the same baseball team, in what they're calling the Crosstown Showdown.I got tickets for this last week, when the weather turns lovely and warm. As today approached I started getting into and more nervous about the visit with my calling for severe thunderstorms, snow, sleet, hail, and sub-zero temperatures. However, all during today the forecasters gradually lightened up, the bad weather stalled some ways away,, and it turned out to be rather nice; comortably warm, and though it threatened a few times this never rained. The park is pretty nice, and as usual the minor league teams the seats are close to my action. We were on the shuttle base side, and were pretty much showered with foul balls, though none came close enough for William or Matthew to catch. To make up for when though, this turned out to work free baseball day, and so the kids got their balls without having to sign any catches.The teams were well matched. The Lugnuts won, 4-3, but the Spartans made a valiant effort at a comeback, scoring 2 runs in the 9th and leaving two men on. One attraction of the game was handled Blue Jays' #1 draft pick of 2006, Kyle Snider, who walked 3 times and flew out to deep centerfield in his final at-bat, unless I missed something while standing in line to get hot dogs.The kids had a blast of fun, and lasted the game out, all 9 innings. Matthew was pretty much striking to go before we're but was still enjoying himself by the end. We'll definitely go back this week hopefully a bunch of times.