There's something special about going to a sporting event in person. I know I felt that way when I was a kid, and still do.

I took my kids to a Baltimore Orioles game last night, and they really enjoyed it. And unlike our previous trips to baseball games, they were very content to sit and watch the game. They also asked several questions about what was happening on the field, and I was able to point out some fundamental-type things as well.

They also liked the surroundings, such as the between-innings entertainment, the foul pops that came near us, watching, and imitating, the vendors hawking their wares, and observing the mannerisms of the players, especially the batters in the on-deck circle.

Most of these are things you miss by watching the game on TV. When it came time to leave at the top of the eighth, the kids wanted to stay. I was always that way, not wanting to leave until the game ended, and it was nice to see them share that enthusiasm.