What It's Like To Be A Red Sox Fan Living In Iowa

First, sorry it's been awhile since I've posted.  Last weekend, I celebrated my birthday with friends and family, watched the Super Bowl (sad the Patriots didn't win but not too upset), and then was hit with a sickness that's kept me in bed for the past five days, including my birthday.  Without going into too much detail, I have bronchitis and sinusitis.  I'm ready to be well again!

Since there hasn't been too much news on the baseball front, I thought I would just describe what it's like for me, as a Red Sox fan, living in Iowa.  For those who don't know, my great-grandfather, Al Van Camp, played for the Boston Red Sox from 1931-1932.  My family has been Red Sox fans since.  We've been to Boston twice now and have made an informal commitment of going every five years (three years left!). 

Basically, growing up a Red Sox fan was interesting in Iowa.  As a child, I would watch the games when they were on television, go to the games with my family, and occassionally wear some Red Sox attire.  I'd get questions like "who's your favorite baseball player" every once in awhile, and I always answered truthfully: my great-grandfather.  When they would ask for a current player, I would say Ken Griffey Jr.  On a side note, one of my favorite baseball moments was when I went to a White Sox-Mariners game when I was about twelve years old with my friends (Thanks, Laura!), and Griffey waived at us in Center Field.  Some people would say my favorite player couldn't be Griffey because he didn't play for the Sox.

Fast forward to now, and when people first find out that I'm a Red Sox, they give me a look that clearly says "Pink Hat."  When I start to talk about the Red Sox, they typically do a slight nod like "maybe she does know a little about baseball."  If they see me wearing any of my Red Sox clothing, they typically give me a knowing smile.  Most people just don't realize how deep my love for the Red Sox runs.

So, being a Red Sox fan living in Iowa takes some sacrifices.  First, I had to buy the MLB package to watch most of the games.  I bought it for the computer too since the television package is pretty expensive.  So, I watch as many games as it will allow.  Second, I can't just go to a game whenever I feel like it.  I have to look at the schedule way ahead of time and plan, hoping that I get tickets (still keeping my fingers crossed on the Sox-Cubs game).  Third, the local paper pretty much glosses over anything that has to do with either Coast, so I read the sports section of the Boston Globe daily, especially the Extra Bases blog. 

Being a Red Sox fan living in Iowa isn't easy, especially surrounded by Cubs, White Sox, and Cardinals fans (plus, the occassional Royals, Twins, and Brewers fans), but I wouldn't have it any other way.