Rally Monkey Mother's Day

This year, as is becoming a tradition, we took my mom to the Angels game. My mom loves the Angels, and the "rally monkey". The rally monkey is a mascot for the fans of the Angels to cheer with. We went to the game, and had some pretty cool seats in the shade and close to first base. I haven't been to an Angel's game since last season, and this game was one of the first that I really enjoyed. The game was so exciting because of the timing in which this particular game ran. The Angels were behind the Royals in a score of 3-1 at the bottom of the 6th inning. Before the 7th inning begins, is the 7th inning stretch. Quite literally, this is a pause in the game for some "stretch" time for the fans. The ushers come out onto the field and there is a sing-along. We sang "My Country Tis Of Thee", and then came the 'ol "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". After the songs, the Ushers cleared the field and the Royals took the field. It was at this game that I learned that the 7th inning is very exciting at the Angels Stadium.

The music started, and there was a jumping monkey on the screen which encouraged the crowd to a roar. Then, I noticed Rally Monkeys...everywhere. I knew that my mom had brought 2 Rally Monkeys, but I hadn't thought about them since I didn't see them- outta sight...and such. But now I saw that my mom's monkeys were out as well, and all of the Rally Monkeys were being swung around. Appropriately for mother's day, and is the nature of the nurturing mother, my mom informed us about the "rules" for the Rally Monkey...There are actually rules about how to cheer with a mascot?!!? Well, the Rally Monkeys are not to come out until the 7th inning, to supercharge the players and the crowd,(I guess). When the music started, and every electronic light and screen at the stadium was bursting to capacity with strobe-like flashing. The stadium was in full roar, and it seemed that the Angels were playing more enthusiastically than they had since the game started. In that inning, the Angels scored 3 runs. With the Angels in the lead, the whole stadium organically began the wave. There were three full rounds before it fizzled out.

Then, as quickly as the momentum began, the excitement of the crowd had sunk into the top of the 9th inning. With only one run keeping their lead, the pressure was on the Angels to get three outs without allowing any runs. The finishing pitcher allowed a few base hits and there was some intensity in the crowd. However, the Angel's kept their cool and maintained the lead.

After a slow beginning, a perfectly timed climax, some tension at first, but then with a calm ending, the Mother's Day Angels game was truly a blessed and organic experience. The final score remained 4-3, Angels up.