Colorful dancers atop the dugouts at recent OKC Comets game in OKC.
When my friend, Ed Godfrey, and I walked into Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Saturday night, we could hear the distinctive sounds of a mariachi band playing somewhere on the concourse.
It was Cielo Azul night versus the El Paso Chihuahuas at the ballpark, with the OKC Comets dressed in special Cielo Azul uniforms to honor fans from Hispanic heritages.
It’s always a festive occasion, with Mexican dancers on the dugouts between innings and special Cielo Azul caps and other merchandise on sale at the fan store.
But the mariachi band was a first for me, or at least I had not noticed a live band in the past.
Turns out, the band was stationed almost directly behind our section down the third base line. And it wasn’t just a couple of guitar players and a violin. This was a full on Mexican orchestra with vocalists, multiple guitars, trumpets and violins.
Ed and I stopped for a couple minutes to appreciate the music, then found our seats as the band continued playing. You can sample their music in the video below:
The band was still playing as the first pitch was thrown and continued for several innings. Ed found some humor about a mariachi band that refused to quit playing and began delivering one-liners as commentary on the Cielo Azul experience.
If you are a listener of the 3 Old Geezers podcast hosted by Ed, myself and Steve Buck, then you know that Ed can be really funny. We should call him our Minister of Humor, even if it’s not always intentional.
“Feels like a home game for El Paso,” Ed said as the band droned on. “Go ask them to play ‘El Paso.'”
I laughed at the thought and almost took the request to the band, but I didn’t have any money on me for a tip.
About that time, the colorful Mexican dancers walked past our seats on their way to the third base dugout. We enjoyed the interlude between innings as their dresses swirled and the music played. Watch below.
“It does feel like we’re at Casa Bonita,” Ed said.
By now, I was frantically writing down his one-liners. The dancing concluded and a female dancer walked toward us as she headed back to the concourse.
“When she gets up here, would you stop her and ask for some sopapillas,” Ed commanded.
I laughed out loud as I typed the comment into my phone.
Later in the game, the Geezer came out in Ed. A group of young girls who were perhaps 10 years old and sitting a couple rows in front of us were loudly chanting, trying to distract the opposing Chihuahua players.
The girls were as persistent as the mariachi band. They never stopped.
“This whole section is like a daycare,” Ed said.
The mascot, Yeti, poses with some young fans during a recent OKC Comets game.
The girls continued chanting in unison and having a great time.
“This is what softball culture has done to little girls,” Geezer Ed said.
It was like I was sitting next to Walter Matthau from Grumpy Old Men.
By now, we were deep into the game, maybe the 6th or 7th inning. The mariachi band had taken a break, but now they were back, playing on and on, although more distant from us this time.
It was a night that I’ll remember, but not because of the baseball. It’s exactly why I enjoy going to the ballpark, because you never know what you will see or hear.
It can be a great play on the field, a mariachi band, 10 year-old hecklers or a geezer with a keen wit.
I loved it all.
BONUS CONTENT: As Ed and I entered the ballpark this past Saturday night, the team was honoring Nelson Cruz in a special pregame ceremony to induct him into the OKC Triple A Baseball Hall of Fame. I thought it was great that the team honored a past player who went on to have an impactful Major League career. Also thought it was cool that Cruz actually showed up with his family and made a heartfelt speech. I hope the fans in attendance could appreciate him and the ceremony.
The ceremony honoring OKC Triple A Baseball Hall of Famer Nelson Cruz
