How to Make the Short List for Kim's Phillies Tickets

On Wednesday, the Phillies begin their fourth straight trip to the playoffs. We're getting spoiled here in Philadelphia, but enjoying every minute of it. Well, maybe not every minute, particularly if you're my husband. As many of you know, my husband, Greg Dobbs Rob, works for the team. And if the request for tickets is steady during the regular season, you can imagine what he goes through come October.

As the wife of the guy who works for the Phillies, I get a fair number of ticket requests myself, most of which I laugh off with a good natured, "you wish." The challenge for me actually, is in deciding who I want to accompany me to these precious post season games. Believe it or not, careful consideration needs to be given to selecting the right phan for the job.

This point was driven home for me when my husband told me of a coworker who is currently at the Ryder Cup in Newport, Wales. She had been invited by a friend who was attending as a client of one of the Cup sponsors and was able to bring a guest. The problem is that this woman hates golf. She actually asked if they had to stay till Sunday...the day of the final matches. Yes, you have to stay for that. To say this is a tragic waste of a Ryder Cup ticket is an understatement. It should go without saying that when selecting a friend to accompany you to any major sporting event, that friend should be a fan of the sport involved.

In addition to selecting your guest based on their fan status, here are some additional considerations for who makes the cut:

• Is this person a true friend or family member? Frankly, I'm never going to be willing to give my extra ticket to the roofer or the dry cleaner. Please don't ask.
• Does this person regularly ask you for tickets? They're out. I'm way more inclined to offer my ticket to a friend who has never once asked for tickets because they don't want to be rude. This way I feel like the good fairy when I make the call to invite them along.
• Do you have a good time with this person? I once invited Freakin' Angel Karen to a playoff game and she organized the all-important tailgating complete with beer and cheesesteaks before the game. No one before or since has suggested tailgating. Shame on the rest of you!
• Is this person well-off financially? Then buy tickets, you cheapskate! Kidding. But seriously, back to the good fairy thing, if I can invite a friend who I know would have to choose between eating dinner for a week or going to a playoff game, they're more likely to get the call. This consideration has definitely benefited friends like our Children's Ministry director at church. 
• Can I expect undying love, devotion, and appreciation from this person?. If I take you to a playoff game, I expect non-stop thanks and gushing love and admiration. Buying me a beer, soda, or popcorn is never a bad idea either. After all, even the good fairy gets hungry and thirsty.
• Does this person know the sport? Being a fan is essential, but actually understanding the game is worth bonus points. 

On Wednesday I will be accompanied to the first NLDS game by Mr. Hugh Poland. My friends and family members are wondering "who the heck is Hugh Poland and how did he make the cut?" Well, Hugh is a Judson Press author whom I would also consider to be a friend. He's one of the most likeable guys you ever want to meet, plus he meets the requirements above almost to a T.

1. Hugh is a huge baseball fan. He wrote two of our best selling (and my favorite) Judson Press books, Steal Away and Intentional Walk, both volumes of devotions for baseball fans.
2. Being from Texas, Hugh never asks me for tickets to Phillies games. I, however, have routinely asked him to come to Philadelphia so I could take him to a game. He is in town this week for a conference in Lancaster. Talk about good timing!
3. I have enjoyed Hugh's company at Christian retailing events. If you can enjoy someone's company in an exhibit hall, you're probably in good shape for a sporting event.
4. Hugh is a church musician. I doubt he's drowning in dough.
5. I'm just guessing here, but yes, I think Hugh will appreciate this opportunity. 
6. Does he know the sport? Hugh is a member of the Society for American Baseball and he wrote two books filled with stories from the game. I think he knows the nuances.

So there you have it. The way to Kim's heart and playoff tickets. I expect I'll receive some creative comments from this post, all finding a way to let me know you're an underpaid, highly appreciative individual who has read every book there is on the topic of baseball and who bleeds red and white...

Go Phils!