Inspired by the annual Run Around the Bases event, today the Seattle Mariners began a new Father’s Day Game tradition of inviting local dads to walk on the field and admire the stadium’s well-kept lawn.
“This Father’s Day we wanted to say thanks to all the dads out there by inviting them to shuffle around the outfield and admire T-Mobile Field’s professionally groomed lawn up close and personal,” said Mariners head of events Stacy Garza. “We’ve also got plenty of dad-friendly activities lined up, including a chance to take a spin on the riding mowers that our grounds crew use every day, a pair of commemorative Kirkland brand tube socks to take home, and a raffle for an opportunity to sit down with Scott Servais and tell him what he should have done in the 9th inning of last night’s game.”
A giant crowd of local dads began arriving two hours before the first pitch so they could find free street parking and scope out the ballpark’s landscaping.
“Can you believe it? My very own white New Balance sneakers are getting grass-stained by the world-famous bluegrass and ryegrass blend at T-Mobile field,” said local dad Stephen Murphy, getting a little choked up while admiring the immaculate ballpark grass. “What do you think the edge on that grass fading into the infield is, ¾ inch? That’s some fine grass there—holy smokes, is that the Director of Grounds, Tim Wilson? Hey Tim, looks like you missed a spot here when you were mowing! I’m just joshin’ you, keep up the good work. Boy, I’m a little starstruck, do you think he’d autograph my tape measurer?”
The Father’s Day game hit a crescendo during the seventh inning stretch when every dad in the stadium leaned over to their kids and said in unison, “Why do we sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ when we’re already here?” to a chorus of groans.
