My First Game of 2021

How's this for an irony: one year, one month and one day after the last game I attended, I was back in a ballpark. Back putting my Canon t5i through the paces. Soaking in the action first hand. Monday night's rainout forced what I'd rather call a traditional doubleheader, though with both games scheduled for seven innings, that's not quite accurate.

While nothing is quite the same in 2021, it was many steps closer to what we've embraced over the decades. Tack on perfect spring weather and a 4:00 start with plenty of sunshine, I felt an inner joy that had been missing since March 12th, 2020. 

On the field, Dominic Smith of the Mets connected for a home run; and the home run apple -- now a 40-year Flushing tradition -- rose to celebrate the moment.

Smith, who is developing into a first rate hitter, circles the bases...

...and trades elbow bumps with teammate Brandon Nimmo, who scored ahead of him.

It was also my first in-person experience with a seven-inning doubleheader. Due to COVID protocols, Mister and Mrs. Met lead the now-fifth inning stretch from just behind the center field seats.

On a beautiful day that even with school in session, should have drawn 25,000 people, social distancing imposes the stunning sparseness in the crowd.

And extra innings begin in the 8th... Jonathan Villar connects on the game-winning hit lifting the Mets to a 4-3 victory.

Followed moments later by a happy on-field scrum.

It felt a lot closer to normal -- being in the park, though at just 20% of capacity. And let's be real, going back to when we were all kids, a ballgame just feels better, feels right, when we're there in person.