So I found myself going to Melbourne, Florida for a business/pleasure trip this past weekend. And what better way to spend my free Monday afternoon than taking a great friend to see the Marlins vs. Nationals at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL!

Not really knowing any of the players, but intrigued by the possibilities just the same, we left Melbourne Beach with the threat of rain potentially forcing us away from the stadium (and into some shitfuck Florida bar. But don't get me wrong, I love shitfuck bars.)

Space Coast stadium sits amongst malls and construction projects near I-95. It is a nice, well-kept (if boring) typical spring training park. It was packed, with long lines for tickets. We were saved by scalper seats just as we started to stand in line. $10 apiece and three rows up from the 1st base (Nationals) dugout! It was the bottom of the 1st and Jose Vidro was coming up to ground out to Josh Beckett. Zach Day was starting for the Nationals - apparently he is fighting for a spot in the rotation.

By the way, have any of you realized that in the NL they let the pitcher bat, and he always bats 9th? ;)Just wierd...had a few words to that effect with some Florida fans. They pointed out that the DH just lets "Aging sluggers pad their stats." To which I asked if he found it more exciting to watch a pitcher bat .115 instead. An older fan informed us that "AL managers don't have to manage anymore." I asked them how always having the #9 slot filled by the pitcher somehow made it more challenging to fill out the line-up card. Could we stop debating this point someday? Senior league my hairy white ass...snobbery comes in many forms.

The game itself was a yawner, and the most intriguing part was either 1) all the beer we drank, or 2) the parade of infamous, obscure and semi-obscure names. The Nationals lineup included Vidro, Brad Wilkerson, Cristian Guzman (who had two errors) and Nick Johnson. I really enjoyed seeing Jose Guillen (cleanup), and he totally ripped the ball each of his at-bats. Pinch hitting in the 7th and playing 1st was Carlos Baerga. It was like we had landed on the Island of Misfit Players.

But the best and biggest surprise came with the Marlins. It was the bottom of the 7th, and the announcer chimed in with, "Now pitching for Florida, #45 Jim Mecir." For crissakes! He took the mound, warmed up, and absolutely dominated Jeffrey Hammonds, Wilkerson, and Baerga. One inning, three strikeouts for ol' turkey knees. If they didn't FEAR MECIR before, they do now.

The game ended with a whimper - not a lot of action on either side.  Plenty of errors and lackadaisical play though. And lots of old men in very loud pants. But very little rain, and a great day overall - always fun to check out a new ballpark, isn't it?

Oh yeah - Nationals 1, Marlins 0.