The Aggies are now part of the SEC and baseball season is finally upon us. For all the hoopla that the football team got for entering the nation’s toughest conference in football, baseball has flown under the radar. The SEC claims recent National Titles in 2009 (LSU), 2010 and 2011 (both South Carolina). Needless to say, the all-around competition has taken a step up.

With that said, tougher competition usually equals higher expectations, and higher expectations usually equals more attention (media and attendance). We got our first sign of this when season tickets sold out shortly after they went on sale for the season. We had to mindful of when the general admission single game tickets went on sale so that we could guarantee tickets for the games we wanted to go to. The next sign came when we pulled up to Blue Bell Park around Noon with our camper… there were already a fleet of RV’s setup for the weekend, and we even thought we were early! Gone are the days of this little secret vacation spot we have in College Station during Spring Break for some college baseball. No more last minute tickets and prime tailgating spots without fighting the crowds. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted, but it won’t deter us by any means.

The Friday night game is always my favorite. The anticipation leading up to the series and the cool weather under the lights makes for a really great environment. This game did not disappoint. It was a tight game with plenty of drama (see “What’s the Deal with Superman”), and the Ags won. We had friends meet us at the bus afterwards, so Reed got to stay up EXTRA late with us and our guests.

One thing about sleeping in an RV or camper at Blue Bell Park… you WILL hear the train go by ALL night. I think Juile counted 12 that first night. Forget thinking you will sleep through it, no matter how tired you are, just hope you can go right back to sleep.

Saturday was the big tailgate as always, and our friends from Dallas and Houston descended upon College Station to join us. The kids are all growing up, and we are not done multiplying either so there are still new faces every year. The game was packed so we relegated to the lawn where everyone could be together and spread out by the playground.

On Sunday we are always ready to go, but it is always the most relaxed time around the ball park. We got Reed out on his new bike around the parking lot and then packed the truck and camper. One of these times we will stay for the Sunday game (and this should have been the time), but we opted to get on the road.

The Aggies swept the series against Georgia. To the SEC: Welcome to Aggieland!