Opening night of baseball season is always special.
The sound of the PING of aluminum bats. The roar of the crowd. The taste of hot dogs with mustard.
The constant yell of the world renowned vendor known as the "Elephant Man" in the stands: "Popcorn, peanuts, cracker jacks and sunflower seeds."
Baseball season is back! And while this may not excite some of you Hurricane fans, let me tell you that you just don't know what you are missing. You do not have to love baseball to have a good night at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.
I am here to tell you that University of Miami baseball is where it is at.
On opening night 2010 I joined 3,827 other Hurricans fans in saying so.
From the pre-game celebration at The Titanic with Canespacers and other UM fans to the walk over to the stadium to seeing the orange clay and the green grass of the baseball diamond the event is special.
Going to a game on the UM campus in Coral Gables is a unique experience in an environment that every 'Canes fan should have the opportunity to enjoy during their lives. From the random screams of "RAG ARM" at opposing pitchers to the well rehearsed calls from the crowd of "BALL TWO, WHOOO" it is a fun, informal, family oriented atmposphere that is simply a blast to be part of.
On this opening night of the 2010 season, Miami pitched well and pounded the ball while spanking Rutgers like a misbehaving child at Chucky Cheese. Using that analogy, the Hurricanes' hammering of the Scarlet Knights' pitching staff bordered on child abuse. Thank goodness these were college students and not children experiencing this beat down in 305 town.
And also be glad that The Maniac and blogger Cat5 were in attendance to keep things under control.
Miami trounced Rutgers 12-1 on opening night as though it was just for fun. The stars of the game were starting pitcher Eric "Easy E" Erickson and third baseman Harold "Boom Boom" Martinez.
Erickson, who returned from elbow surgery in June 2008 to throw six strong innings on opening night in 2010, allowed only one run while striking out five. Third baseman Martinez enjoyed his opening night by blasting not one but two home runs (one the bounced off the brand new electronic scoreboard in left field) for four RBIs. Not a bad night's work by either player.
The Hurricanes play the Scarlet Knights again tonight at 7 PM and then Sunday at 1 PM.
Get off the couch and get into the game. Trust me, U will not be sorry U did!