[thatboyaintright]

This was a first --- paulding.com was officially at the Rome Braves game, Saturday night, July 17, 2004. It was a blast. In fact, it was 4 blasts over the fence for the Rome Braves in an 11 hit thrashing of the Columbus Catfish in the South Atlantic League. (Read the story from the Rome News Tribune.)

For those of you who haven't taken the short drive to Rome, GA, to get a glimpse of the best family sporting secret in this area, you are missing out. Rome is only about a 45 minute drive --- tops. Easy to drive. Light traffic. Simple to get to the stadium & parking is at most 100 yards from the gate.

Tickets are cheap. Club level is only $10. Field level is $7. Box seats are $5. The General Admission is a paltry $4 to sit out on Home Run Hill down the right field foul line & behind the fence in right field. Honest, there is not a bad seat in the whole place. There are picnic tables in the right field area, but many folks just bring blankets & sit on the grass.

And they don't call it Home Run Hill for nothing! Plenty of taters are spanked over there so the kids have plenty of chances to get a free souvenir. Adults have an heighth advantage of catching a ball but those little buggers are pesky & can outrun us older folks to gain advantage.

Kids also have a special place to work off some energy when they aren't watching the game. There is a kids area, complete with a moon walk too. Several kids had their own games going with the old fashioned whiffle ball in the grassy area.

Entertainment between innings is fabulous! All sorts of quick contests & fun things to watch on the large teletron in centerfield.

Safety. Let me tell you, there is no need to worry about this place. I felt 100% safe, even safe enough to let the kids run around without watching them like a hawk. No fighting or boistrous groups to fear. It was like a large, family gathering with 4700 of your closest friends. There were police officers around just in case. And honest folks too! If you drop something, a neighbor will pick it up & give it to you, even if it is cash you dropped. No joke.

One can get tickets at the stadium on home gamedays from 10am til m and on non-gamedays Monday through Friday from 10am til 5pm or by calling the ticket HOTLINE at (706) 378-5144.

There were several Paulding County folks we met while there, but the Paulding.com mini-group had a blast. Webby, Sheddweller, myself, Unknown Gramps, & several kids had a lot of fun. Webby got some great pics that he'll post (hopefully).

And thanks to County-Line for the well-traveled Paulding.com poster!

Shed is one great guy. Unknown Gramps spoke very highly of him & enjoyed the conversation. Webby, I think, had more fun than watching the GOP lose votes on election day. And the kids enjoyed some great food (2 huge hot dogs, mega large drink, & some of the best ice cream drops I've ever had --- all for $10). Can't beat that for entertainment. Unknown Gramps liked Webby & said he can't wait to start reading the info on p.com when the new system is hooked up.

Best part --- one of Shed's young 'uns got a ball. I think that guy smiled so much his face hurt. And my daughter has a couple of new friends too!

Here's the link for the Rome Braves. Check 'em out. Take the fam. Have a blast!

This post has been edited by thatboyaintright: 18 July 2004 - 12:04 AM

[Ellen]

TBAR

Did you not take your poor Mother in law? I am sure she would have enjoyed the game too.

[shed]

First things first, let me say it was great to meet Pubby and his family last night at the game. Pubby thank you for bringing our Pcom community together and allowing us to get to know folks in our county that we may have never known if not for this website. Pcommers I hope you can take the time to thank Pubby for all he has done for Paulding County.

Tbar it was nice to see you again and meet your daughter and dad (unknown gramps). What a wonderful family and yes I could talk to your dad all night long.

The game was great, lots of hitting and good plays in the field. Tbar covered that.

We stayed after the game and visited the clubhouse, let me say, all the Rome Braves came out of the lockerroom and took time to sign probably 30 autographs for kids that had come to the game. These are early twenties ballplayers who probably had plans on a Saturday night, but took the time to make these kids night by signing autographs and talking with them. How refreshing to see professional ballplayers taking time to give back to some kids.

What a great night. We will return to Rome for other games in the future. Yeah Baby