It was a perfect night for a football game. There was a cool autumn like chill in the air; the players took the field to the sound of cheering fans. The smell of hot sausage and hamburgers filled the air. We had waited all year for this first game and we had front row seats. However, I struggled because this was baseball season, the opening night of the Altoona Curve and we wore winter coats, hats, and gloves to the game. We even took along a blanket.

 

The temperature hovered in the thirties, there was a wind chill, and everybody’s noses were red with cold. It was COLD but no amount of chilly weather could keep over 5,000 fans away. Was it the the prospect of seeing Jerome Bettis throw out the first pitch, Todd Parnell, team owner, jump from a plane or attending the Curve’s 10^th season home opener that attracted the crowds. Who knows? As Todd Parnell said, The Altoona Curve has the best fan base in all of minor league baseball and they showed up on Friday night.

 

My wife and son attended the game and watched all the pre game shenanigans with glee. Steamer and Diesel Dawg stopped by to say hello, Parney took the field by not falling out of a plane but walking out of a helicopter, and Jerome Bettis threw a great first pitch. The starting line up of the curve was announced as the players wore the “throw back” uniforms.  The Star Spangled Banner was never sung better and heard louder than in the stands of Blair County Ballpark. People gathered around heaters sporting new ball caps and curve apparel talking about the new season. Curve personnel played games and trivia contests, shirts were handed out, and candy thrown to fans.