I have to say conclusively that the ultimate moment at any sporting event is to make a personal connection to one of the athletes. Have one toss you a ball, give a wave or a wink. To have one of the players acknowledge you, maybe even an autograph. Every kid hopes for the ball and lines for autographs and photos support my opinion.

Personally, I prefer photos with people I meet. You can buy autographs (while I’m not a fan of profiteering from this) but you can’t buy a legitimate photograph with someone. (Ok, yeah some folks charge for that and I think it’s deplorable unless benefitting a charity)

Now we have social media. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, email, websites. I use them. Some of you use them. If you are reading this, yes you are using one form of social media too. Professional athletes use social media as well. Try “friending” one on Facebook. Good luck. Most reserve Facebook for family and friends but you do have the occasional athlete who is willing to accept new folks into their life. Some athletes blog, some post video journals on Youtube.

Then there’s Twitter. Twitter has become a mecca for athletes to communicate with their fans. “Hey you’re my favorite! How about a retweet!” Then the thrill when Jimmy Rollins retweets what you sent him. These folks post up to date information on their status, their lives and the teams.

Here is a more humor filled interaction between Green Bay Packer Clay Matthews and a very upset fan. Original article.

Clay Matthew sees this video and posts on Twitter, “D_mn you Megan and your sparkles!!” along with a link to the video.

I’m sure her sister, who posted the video, didn’t expect the video to be viewed close to 1 million times. She was probably still unhappy until she found that one of her favorite players agreed with her stance on sparkles.

The internet generation has a wonderful resource here. My generation stuffed envelopes with prized sports cards, a self addressed stamped envelope and the slim hope that our favorite athletes would take the time to sign our card and return it. (I sent out dozens of cards. Nolan Ryan, Gary Carter and Ken Griffey Sr. were the only to return them with an autograph.) Although being a kid in this generation gets you closer to the athletes we follow, I’d still rather share another beer with Andy Tracy than get a retweet. (Take that under 21 crowd 🙂

On June 2nd, 2012 Egypt Memorial Park will be celebrating their 65th Anniversary with a Curt Simmons Day!

On June 2, 1947, The Philadelphia Phillies came to the Egypt Park to play the Egypt team of the old Twilight League. They came to entice Curt Simmons, a 17 year old Whitehall High School pitcher from Main Street in Egypt, to play for the Phillies. Curt Simmons went on to a 20 year career with the Phillies, Cardinals, Cubs and Angels, winning the World Series with the Cardinals in 1964. This game put the new Egypt Memorial Park on the map. The park was officially dedicated as a living memorial to the men and women of World War II on June 6, 1948.

• PARADE
The day begins at 10:00 with a parade
down Main Street of Egypt. The parade’s
Grand Marshall will be Curt Simmons.
• CEREMONY
A ceremony, dedicating the newly rebuilt field as “Simmons Field”
will be held at 11:30 at the park.
• BASEBALL GAME
Egypt Park’s Starters Orioles of the Blue Mountain League will take
to the field at 1 pm.
• ENTERTAINMENT
The afternoon air will be filled with music, and one of the Lehigh
Valley’s best bands, The Aardvarks, will take the stage from 6 to 10 pm.
• FOOD & BEVERAGES
Food will be served by Geakers Tacos. Menu will include
hamburgers, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, tacos, french fries, pierogies,
shaved ice and more. Beer, soft drinks and water will be sold.
• MEMORABILIA DISPLAY
The inside pavilion will feature baseball memorabilia of
Curt Simmons and the history of baseball at Egypt Park.

(Information taken from flyer forwarded to the Horn & Bell)

For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer,please contact:
Dale Reitz – 484-767-7214
Dennis Knauss – 484-357-7413
Lynne O’Neill – 484-951-5078

www.egyptpark.org