As a Colorado native and a die-hard Rockies fan, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect during the stretch at tonight's game. Halfway through the seventh inning, the announcer asked the all fans rise to sing baseball's unofficial anthem. While King Soopers sponsors the stretch at Coors Field, there was no spoken mention of that. Instead, the Kings logo formed the border for the jumbotron where the lyrics were displayed and plastered all over the LED boards all around the stadium. The organ outro after the singing seemed to be significantly longer at Coors than it had been at the other parks we have visited so far. The chorus of "Hey Baby" always follows "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at the Colorado baseball park. The chorus repeats several times, even modulating once right towards the end as the announcer brings the crowds' focus back towards the game.
For me, singing these two songs represents the pinnacle of many summer nights spent watch the Rockies. While the action of the game itself constantly changes from inning to inning and game to game, the seventh inning stretch is a staple throughout all of baseball today. No matter what other craziness occurs in an evening, fans can count on standing and singing after thirty-nine outs. Joining together in song with all the fans at Coors Field offers a magical sense of community that strengthens the bonds between myself and others watching the Rockies. It can be a highlight of any game, no matter what happens on the field.
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