Take me out to the ballgame! (In the future, just not now)

I miss going to the ballpark. It feels like an eternity since I last step foot in a baseball stadium.

Sept 27. Angels vs Astros & Mike Trout Jersey Giveaway Night

The last baseball game I went to was Sept. 27, 2019 and it was a matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros.

I've only been to a handful of baseball games, but it's always extra special whenever I get to go with my friends.

Yes I am diehard Yankee fan, and yes I know I'm pictured wearing a Angels jersey (I couldn't pass up an opportunity to get a jersey of one of the best players in baseball), but I am a baseball fan first and foremost.

Sometimes, it's not so much the game that I enjoy, but just having the opportunity to be with my friends and fellow baseball lovers.

My first ever Padres game at Petco Park in 2018

The overwhelming smell of popcorn and hotdogs in the stadium, the booming voice of the public address announcer and the excitement of possibly catching a foul ball or home run, I miss all of that and sharing the experience with others.

While I do have the opportunity like many others right, to go see a baseball game, I'm not quite comfortable just yet. Some of my friends are already making plans to go to Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium, you name it.

Two thoughts went through my head when I saw the sellout crowd for a Texas Rangers' home game. 1) Rangers almost rarely have a sellout crowd, I highly doubt those 38 thousand-plus fans are all baseball fans...and 2) Some people either don't care or stopped caring that we're still in the middle of a pandemic.

I understand people are fed up and tired of COVID, but the reality is that this virus isn't going away anytime soon, especially now that there's mutations, variants of the virus, this is a dangerous game people are playing.

Sure, I sound pessimistic right now, but we're literally one mistake away from going all the way back to square one, much like how things were last year in March.

I understand things vary by state, but it worries me that MLB is not really enforcing anything when it comes to these states, like Texas or Florida.

I'd feel more comfortable if MLB took some safety precautions like enforcing a mask mandate or even making sure people are at least somewhat vaccinated before returning the the stadiums. It's a lot to ask, but I doubt MLB will do anything about it, seeing how they're trying to make up for the loss revenue from last season. I'm really hoping we can avoid potential outbreaks this season and not too many games will be cancelled, but it's all wishful thinking at this point.

Padres-Cardinals game at Petco Park in 2019

It doesn't help the fact that here in California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state can reopening fully on June 15th. It won't surprise me to see and hear ballparks across California, especially Dodger Stadium will sell out and people will not hesitate to flock to the ballparks to see their favorite teams.

Being able to return to a baseball stadium would be such a joy, but not right now. I wouldn't want to risk my safety as well as the safety of my friends and families just because I want to go to a baseball game. Then again a lot can happen and change over the next few weeks and maybe I will feel differently. Until then, I'm fine with just watching baseball through the comfort and safety of my home.