Sparkee – Baseball’s Hidden Therapeutic Gem?

Earlier this week I wrote about going to Minor League Baseball games and how it provides an affordable and enjoyable form of therapy for me. Then I started to wonder, when going to therapy, do you need a therapist?

Now, before you say “Duh!” hear me out.

The blog post discussed how watching the game of baseball, live and in person, is therapy in and of itself. Nine in the field, one at the plate and three umps…are these already my therapists?

Then I thought, don’t we need someone to guide us along? Someone brilliant? Someone empathetic?

Enter, Sparkee.

For 20 years Sparkee has been one of the most recognizable faces of the Somerset Patriots. Many would consider him the hardest working mascot of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

But a therapist?

I don’t know. That may be asking a lot.

So I decided to go online to find out what makes a good therapist.

Here is what I learned. Listening skills, empathy, social skills and communication are key. There is no doubt Sparkee is a great listener. He is empathetic and understanding. He has awe-inspiring social skills and when he communicates, he does so quietly but effectively.

I thought this was too easy. So I chose to dig deeper. Here is what I learned and I’ll let you be the judge.

Putting his exceptional listening skills to work, Sparkee pays close attention to my concerns.

To be an effective therapist one must …

… possess a sophisticated set of interpersonal skills.

Well, this is easy. That is the core of who he is. You see, friends, with Sparkee, he says it all with his eyes. One tilt of his head and one long look he can turn any mood we’re in into a good one. Granted, the sheer size of his 18-inch eyes play an influential part, but that’s part of his charm.

… help you to feel you can trust them.

Trust is important. I believe an infinite amount of patience and genuine kindness are important components to trust-building techniques There is more to it of course but it’s a start. I would contend that anyone who has watched Sparkee at work knows he is one patient pup. He will interact with an endless stream of kids making sure he doesn’t miss a fist bump, a High-5, a paw shake, a family picture and so much more.

… be committed to developing a consistent and acceptable treatment plan.

How does 70 home games sound? Even if it rains, we get another chance on another day. Plus don’t forget playoff games! Now THAT is commitment!

He is so good. Just look at those eyes of his. Engaged. Alert. Focused.

… involves themselves in outside training and education.

“Crack! It is high…it is far…it issssssssssss …. GONE!” a la John Sterling.

My boy knocks this one deep and over the TD Bank scoreboard!

Over the past 20 years Sparkee has traveled Central New Jersey making hundreds of appearances, meeting thousands of people, visiting schools, participating in fundraisers, educating kids on the detriments of bullying and so much more. That is some impressive stuff.

… be sensitive toward your cultural background.

Sparkee is a dog. We are human.

That qualifies as differing cultural backgrounds, yes?

So does that mean he understands us humans?

You watched the video I posted above by now, right? If not scroll up and watch. I’ll wait.

OK. Good. What is Sparkee doing?

He is standing on top of the dugout and motioning for us to clap.

So what do we do?

We clap.

He claps faster.

We clap faster.

He claps louder.

We clap louder.

(are you noticing a pattern here?)

Then, he uses his paws to pull his jersey forward, motioning to the name across his chest. It reads Patriots.

What do we do?

Like a bunch of lemmings with hyena vocal chords we yell “PATRIOOOOOOOTS!!!!!!”

Then we do it again.

And again.

Meanwhile he has not uttered a single word.

Wow. Just, wow.

He has us eating out of the palm of his paw.

Pavlov’s dog? Pppptttthhhh, please. Pavlov Schmavolv!

This isn’t a case of Pavlov’s Dog, We’re “Sparkee’s Humans.”

He has trained US!

So, yeah. Yeah, I think he can handle different cultures.

Sparkee Prescription-II

Fortunately for all of us, his heart is twice the size of Somerset County and he only uses his powers for good, not evil. Or, more to the point, he – along with his best friends Slider and General Admission – creates an environment of hope, inspiration and joy at every game.

So now, I leave it to you. Would you hire Sparkee as your therapist?

I would.

Actually, I did.

After all, he has already written me a prescription for more live baseball.

If that is how he plans on treating what ails me, I hope I never get better.

* ** ** *

Below, a brief clip of our session together.

Baseball: Life’s Most Enjoyable and Affordable Form of Therapy

Zack Zehner connects with one at Arm & Hammer Park

This summer marks the first in four years I haven’t needed to work a second job.

As a result, two wonderful things happened. First, I spent more nights and weekends with My Favorite than I have in years. Together Stacy and I spend time sitting on our back deck, reading, drinking wine, listening to music, taking our dog for long walks, catching up on some good television and simply being in each other’s company. It’s been the greatest gift I have received in years.

Second, I have also used this free time to go to a lot of minor league baseball games. This has proven to be more beneficial than I ever imagined it would. I thought it might be fun to see a few ballgames and my wallet not get gauged in the process. So, after finding myself seeing about 10 games of the Somerset Patriots and another 10 of the Trenton Thunder, I learned something about myself. I learned there is no better way to clear my mind that is more enjoyable, and more affordable, than minor league baseball.

I can tell you that years ago I used to see a therapist and she was tremendous. Through our sessions, I learned what I needed to do in order for it to be successful. I had to enter with a need, and then leave improved.

Often, I did.

I also learned going to the therapy is both expensive and brief. Costing anywhere from $75 to $150 an hour (more in the city), and lasting anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes, it seemed a bit expensive.

As it happens, I unwittingly found the answers to my concerns. I have found a new therapist! The rates are fantastic and there isn’t exactly a time limit. There are two offices I can choose from; both are huge and seat thousands at a time. They encourage yelling, screaming, cheering, dancing, singing, and even hugging a six-foot dog (Sparkee) or bird (Boomer) that spends the better part of his time inspiring others. Of course you are at the mercy of their schedule and availability, but you can make an effort to make it work on your end.

It’s the ballpark.

For about 15 bucks I can get at least two, sometimes three, hours of therapy in one shot.

I have learned for it to work – and I mean really work – you have to look beyond running the bases and scoring runs. You have to look beyond winning and losing.

For me, it begins like many good things, standing at attention for the playing of our national anthem, our baseball cap pressed to our chest.

And then …

– It’s looking over at the woman or man next to you, and you see them saluting. Veterans, you realize and a renewed appreciation for the anthem rings in your heart.
– It’s the purity of that one moment between the end of the anthem and just before the Ump cries “PLAY BALL!.” If there is one solitary moment that I love most, it may be that one.
– It’s watching a pitcher on the mound; his eyes focused below the brim of his cap.
– It’s him shaking off a sign, and then nodding.
– It’s wondering what he shook off.
– It’s the wind up and delivery, the release and follow through of the pitch.
– It’s the pop you hear from the catcher’s mitt, when a 95 MPH fastball is caught.
– It’s the cracking sound the bat makes when it connects with a 95 MPH fastball.
– It’s the home run that reached the upper deck.
– It’s watching a professional ballplayer, in some cases just a kid, mature and learn life lessons on the diamond.
– It’s that same kid dumbfounding seasoned ballplayers with his table dropping curveball.
– It’s an Umpire who puts some Oomph in his calls and bellows an animated “Youuuuuuuu’re OUT!”.
– It’s the childlike smile on the face of the 60-year-old “kid” who just caught a foul ball.
– It’s hearing him tell his wife “this is the first one I ever caught.“
– It’s when the team mascot decides YOU are perfect person to join him or her in their next set of antics.
– It’s when the woman you love most in the world shudders when you follow the mascot.
– It’s cracking open peanuts from their shell.
– It’s when you notice how brilliantly white the bases are at the beginning of a game.
– It’s the perfectly raked infield.
– It’s white balls and red stitching.
– It’s watching an outfielder track down a fly ball. Later he tells his teammate his glove is where triples go to die.
– It’s grown men staying boys, imagining they are their heroes from years ago.
– It’s rising to your feet when a ball is hit deep.
– It’s a pitcher’s best friend – a 6-4-3 double play.
– It’s that surprise breeze when it hits the sweat on your neck while basking in the sun.
– It’s the familiar rallying cries you hear from stadium to stadium.
– It’s the hand clapping and the foot stomping.
– It’s the guy two sections over trying to bring back “the wave.”
– It’s Cracker Jacks.
– It’s standing up and stretching after the top half of the 7th and singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
– It’s smiling when people sing “and I don’t care if I ever get back…” when you know it’s “never get back.”
– It’s watching the runner on first getting a good jump to steal.
– It’s the catcher throwing a frozen rope to the shortstop then putting the tag on the would-be base stealer.
– It’s watching the umpire get excited when calling him out or safe.

It’s more than I can describe. If you love this game as I do, then we both know I have only scraped the surface.

Atlantic League All-Star Game at TD Bank Ballpark

When I walk in the gates an hour before the first pitch, I hope to put my troubles behind me.

When it is time to leave, win or lose, I am always where I need to be. Relaxed. Happier. Kinder.

I entered with a need. I left with pure joy in my heart. I would venture to guess that could qualify as “improved.”

Live minor league baseball – it has become my life’s greatest form of therapy.

Follow me on Twitter at @patrickkerrison

# # #

Coming this Friday, August 25th …

2017_0720_18494400

Why Sparkee – The Somerset Patriots Mascot – Would Be the Perfect Therapist.

… And Now, Here Are Our Somerset Patriots

Since the first time I clipped a microphone to my lapel, I would tell anyone who’d listen that calling horse races was the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on.

Last night, that same level of fun was mirrored when announcing the lineups for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and my Somerset Patriots.

Screenshot_20170806-084210 Taking full advantage of their MyRewards program on the Somerset Patriots app I have collected over 2,300 points and have made great use of them. Last night, I “spent” about 1,500 of those points.

The first 750 were on the opportunity to announce the line-ups. I arrived at 6:30 p.m. as instructed and at about 10 minutes or so before 7:00 p.m. I was brought into the Press Box. PA Announcer Paul Spychala introduced himself to me and I’m not gonna lie, I am pretty sure he had no idea he was about to have company.

That, however, didn’t phase him in the slightest as he was more gracious and helpful than I could have asked for. In a short period of time he assisted on many fronts.

He ensured I was comfortable with the pronunciation of each player and coach.
He had the wisdom to shut the mic off after I finished one team and went to the next.
After I caught my breath his prompt of “ … and now” was more appreciated than he may have realized and
Whether he meant it or was just being extraordinarily polite and gracious he seemed somewhat impressed with my performance. After listening to this fella for years in my hometown stadium, that was a kind and thoughtful endorsement…and very much appreciated.

Here is the audio of my time in the booth.

Then the evening got even better.

If you know me by now you know I love mascot humor. Sparkee and Slider bring absolute joy to my life every game I go to.

Remember around the holidays when you would see a kid notice Santa in a store for the first time and they really really think OMG THAT’S THE REAL SANTA?!?!?!?!?! Remember how big their eyes got?

Yeah, well, that’s kinda sorta maybe how I am when I am with Sparkee and Slider. I can’t help it. They’re freaking adorable and their performers are just so darn good at their work. They’re always a great deal of fun.

Well, after Sparkee made all our hearts melt by making the cutest little girl in the stadium happy, he waved his paw at me to come follow him. Smartly, he encouraged me to leave my beer with Stacy and Chris.

This little girl sat in the row behind myself, Stacy and Chris. We don’t know her but we all agreed she may, quite possibly, be the cutest little thing ever to see a baseball game.

Moving four rows to the front, beside the Patriot dugout Sparkee motioned to me that he was going to count me down. Fortunately for me I speak mascot and asked “do you want me to holler SOMERSET, encouraging others to yell PATRIOTS?” His magnificently massive head nodded in such a way as to assure me that was precisely what my six foot canine friend wanted me to do.

I could not let him down. By golly, I would not let him down.

He counts me to three and I scream, at the very top of my lungs “SOMERSET!” and section 115 screams “PATRIOTS.”

The puppy seemed pleased. We did it again. It got louder. Then we did it a third time, the response grew louder.

We had something strong going here, this pup and I.

For those unsure, I am the one on the left.

Even though his eyes may have been sewn onto his head, I think I saw them get bigger. He runs up the stairs and goes to the second tier of seats, jumps up onto the railing, looks at me and counts me down AGAIN!

I bellow as loud as I can “SOMERSET” and a well received “PATRIOTS” followed.

Sparkee is pleased. Slider comes over and joins in the encouragement. Oh yeah, this is a good night. Sparkee then bounces over a couple of more sections and has me yelling again and again.

Flanked by greatness, I stand between My Favorite and Slider

I think Slider may have seen or heard something in my voice give because after about seven or more screams of SOMERSET, they gave the thumbs up. My work here was through.

Then, Sparkee meets me at the top of the stairs of section 115 and hugs the stuffin’ out of me.

Seven or eight innings later our boys lost 5-0 to Southern Maryland but all in all, it was the perfect night.

I announced the lineups and did it well. I was part of Sparkee and Sliders rallying cry for our Patriots, and I got to sit next to Stacy along with our dear friend Chris for nine innings. The people who introduced Stacy and I to each other – Brett and Michelle – came out to support me and as luck would have it, Brett caught a foul ball of his own.

As someone who believes what comes around goes around, and since so many things that evening were going so well, I’d be a fool if I wasted any time in paying it forward. I went to Customer Service and used my remaining 750 reward points to get three official Atlantic League baseballs (all game used foul balls) and gave them to three kids sitting near me.

Granted, I didn’t know the kids but that was part of the fun. I figure since the Patriots and my friends gave me the best evening in baseball I have ever had, why not try to assist in other kids like me (albeit 40-plus years my junior) have a great night, too?

I’ll tell you this: the Patriots may not have won, but I feel like I hit for the cycle. What a night.

Thank you Somerset, for both the opportunity and more fun than $15 should ever provide.

She Should of Drilled Me, Instead

I didn’t expect her to start me off with the hammer. But when it came I swear I saw it so well it was the size of a cantaloupe. I’m gonna drive that ball 400’ and I can’t miss.

Yet, I do. Fell right off the damned table and fooled me.

Stiiiiiiiiiiiirike one.

Trying again, I thought she’d throw another deuce. I was right. But this one looked like it was going to hang. My eyes, and the ball, got big. I was ready for it to break on me late but not that much. Fooled again. Swing and a miss.

Stiiiiiiiiiiiirike twooooooo.

Now I’m in the hole, 0 and 2. Another deuce? Maybe heat? She’s fooled me twice, she wouldn’t a third time, would she? I bear down and shorten up on the bat.

She winds, kicks, and delivers. She is deliberate and disciplined, methodical in her approach and has inexplicable volumes of experience. She fires a vapor-ball toward the plate. Coming in chest high, I pull the trigger. Yes! Heat! THIS I can hit, I think. I got this. Say goodbye to Mr. Rawlings.

Man, I swung and missed so hard I made the Mighty Casey look like Tinkerbell tiptoeing through the tulips.

She didn’t come with the heat. It was a slider. The bleeping thing broke on me and I left a three-foot hole in the batters box.

Stiiiiiiiiiiiirike three!

Boys and girls, lemme tell you, when Mother Nature is on the bump, she’s got some filthy stuff.

Or, in other words …

I had tickets to last Thursday and Saturday’s Somerset Patriot baseball games. I also had a ticket for Monday’s Thunder game in Trenton. For weeks, I was elated at the prospect of my three-games-in-five-days schedule. Iowa ain’t got nuthin’ on Bridgewater and Trenton. THIS is Heaven.

Thursday – July 20, 2017 TD Bank Ballpark

Well, by the fourth inning of Thursday’s Patriots game, rain gave reason to pull the tarp. I waited 45 minutes then went home. I thought they would call it off. “I have tickets to two more games,” I told myself. “Not a worry.”

Wrong.Mother Nature threw me a curve and put a stop to the rain. Shortly after settling in at home I received an alert on my phone tells me the tarp is coming off. Patriots and Bees will resume play at 9:25 p.m. Kyle Roller proceeds to hit not one, but two home runs, driving in four and the Patriots win 5-1.

Strike one on me.

Saturday comes and my Stacy joins me. The rains move in an hour before they holler Play Ball! Tonight could go either way. I told Stace “let’s not bother. You will have a lousy time in the rain. I’m the baseball nerd here. I live for this stuff. Not you,” I say.

Me & My Favorite

She won’t hear of it. “C’mon, Patrick. Let’s go,” she says. “Let’s give it a shot.”

I love this woman more every day. You’ve no idea.

We go to TD Bank Ballpark and with a delayed start get there by the first pitch. It starts to look good.

We get to our seats, watch an inning or two in and it starts to mist. We can handle it. Then it drizzles. We are toughing it out. Then it rains and it is time for funnel cake. 1,600 calories a bite, we waddle back to our seat and the rain lets up.

Rats. I spoke to soon. Here it comes again.

Saturday – July 22, 2017 TD Bank Ballpark

We admit to ourselves and each other it’s time to go. It wasn’t going to let up. On our drive home Patriots announcer Marc Schwartz told his listeners they’re reaching for the tarp. About an hour later, it was called.

Strike two.

Monday’s forecast did not look too bad. Not overly promising, but not bad. I felt good about my chances. Hell, I even bought a Trenton Thunder umbrella with clear panels to see through just in case it is just a passing shower. As a matter of fact, as she reads this very post, Stacy is also learning for the first time that I bought a Trenton Thunder umbrella – for $25.00 – even though I had another umbrella in the car at the time . 🙂

The evening started with beautiful weather. Mild, slight breeze and zero humidity and – dare I say it – sunshine.

Monday July 24, 2017 Arm & Hammer Park

Then, of course, BECAUSE I WAS AT THE FLIPPING GAME, Mother Nature had different plans.

In the middle of the fourth, the sky behind the stadium grew black. The Umps called time and said get the tarp. Within seconds it poured. There was thunder, lightning, and water teaming from the heavens. A deluge of rain fell on the Thunder faithful racing toward the concourse. As time went on and the umpires decided what to do, I grabbed a beer and kept my eyes open for an Ark.

The battery on my cell was dead so I could not look at the radar. I resorted to prayer, pleading it will pass through. I kept the faith. Damn it, I’m getting at least one game in this week!

Nope.

It didn’t stop. The umpires gave it an hour and threw up their hands. Game postponed.

Strike three.

I suppose if you were to look at the bright side of this story it would be (a) I got to go to the ballpark three times (b) If you add up all the innings I did see, it’s almost like a full game (c) I had funnel cake and (d) I can use the tickets from the rainouts for another game. It’s like getting free baseball!

But, that might be you. I don’t.

Far as I’m concerned, I would have rather Mother Nature drill me in the ribs than miss three baseball games.

#ASG2017 @SOMPatriots

This is why The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball has thrived for the last 20 years: amazing entertainment at ridiculously affordable prices.

Tomorrow night they are presenting their 20th Annual All-Star Game. Hosted at the home of the Somerset Patriots’ in TD Bank Ballpark, the eight-team league are split into two divisions (Liberty & Freedom) and each will have 22 representatives on each roster.

Eight locals from the Patriots will be in uniform for the Liberty Division. Pitchers Rick Teasley, David Kubiak, and Duane Below will join catcher Yovan Gonzalez, infielders Tyler Bortnick and Carlos Guzman, and outfielders Aharon Eggleston and Justin Pacchioli.

But here’s the thing … it is so much more than an assemblage of the leagues best players. The Patriots organization have put together an event in which I would never expect a “Minor league” venue to put on. By that I mean, more specifically, there are SO MANY EVENTS PLANNED that I haven’t the slightest notion how they plan to fit it into one evening.

My gut tells me, however, they’ll nail it and it’s going to be epic.

First, they’re giving away a mess of stuff:

Commemorative 20th Atlantic League All-Star Ticket (All Fans)
Tricorn Hats (1st 500 Kids)
All-Star Baseball Card Sets (1st 1,000 Kids)
All-Star Pins (1,000 Adults)
Commemorative Game Program (1st 3,500 Fans)

On tap for the night are the following:

Season Ticket Holders get in early to watch Batting Practice
Gates Open to General Public at 5 pm
An Autograph Session with all the players
Home Run Derby with the best HR hitters in the league.
All-Star Player Introductions
7:10 Play Ball!!!

But that’s not it.

A Yankee fan like me is LOVING that the Honorary Managers are Sparky Lyle and Willie Randolph!

Plus, Gary Gaetti – whom I remember very well, and fondly, as a member of the Twins, is Managing the Freedom team,.

The entertainment? Holy Mackerel

Zooperstars! The World-Famous Entertainment Act
BirdZerk! America’s Ballpark Prankster
Fireworks – Promises to be the BIGGEST FIREWORK DISPLAY in their 20 YEAR HISTORY!!!!!
Mascots from around the Atlantic League
Revolutionary Cannon fire after the game

And since we are all about the USA and being Patriotic, they’re busting out some serious Revolutionary Spirit:

Meet General George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and Alexander Hamilton and various revolutionary war soldiers
See a replica cannon from the Revolutionary War
See a revolutionary war encampment
Visit tables on the concourse that show various aspects from the Revolutionary War
Sign the Declaration of the All-Star Game Document
Hear Fife & Drum corps
Enjoy period Dance and Dress
Feast on a Turkey Leg and Ale

Participants Include:

2nd NJ Regiment, The Queens Rangers on horseback, Mott’s Artillery with a cannon, Heard’s Brigade, Sons of the American Revolution with a cannon, Mock Hearth Cooking, Spinning and Weaving Demonstrations, Fife and Drums of the Old Barracks and the Practitioners of Musick (note the 2nd NJ, Mott’s Artillery and Queens Rangers, Heard’s Brigade will set up an encampment with tents and also do musket drills)

Need More? Seriously? OK then. Here are some exhibits/games/activities by the following groups:

Liberty Hall
Heritage Trail Association
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Washington Crossing State Park
Lamb’s Artillery
East Jersey Old Town Village
Princeton Battlefield Society
Children of the American Revolution
The Indian King Tavern
The Snyder Academy
The Jacobus Vanderveer House

Now … if the weather will just cooperate.

Books. Wine. Writing. Audio Narration. Thoroughbred Racing. Order May Vary

Tag Archives: Somerset Patriots