A Kid in the Ballpark

Abdiel, our grandnephew, takes a walk inside Rod Carew's ballpark in Panama City, Panama. He feels like a fish in the water in this venue. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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Marketing Beer in Panama

Beer is a product that is heavily marketed in most if not all sports in our country.  The largest beer company is Cervecería Nacional, S.A., which is a subsidiary of SAB Miller plc. SAB Miller plc is one of the world’s largest brewers, representing six of the world’s top fifty beer brands and one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world. Its head office is in the City of Westminster, London with brewing interests and distribution agreements on six continents.

SAB Miller has expanded rapidly from its South African origins, adding Miller to its name through acquisition of the Milwaukee, U.S.A. brewer in 2002, following SAB’s pattern of acquiring local brands and brewing operations in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

Cervecería Nacional, S.A. was founded by a group of Panamanian businessmen; José Gabriel Duque, Idelfonso Preciado, Alberto de Obarrio, Jesse H. Hydal and Manuel Espinosa Batista.  On October 4, 1909 they founded the Panama Brewing and Refrigerating Company with the purpose of making beer and ice.

On December of 2001, this company closed their business and sold its shares to the Bavarian Group in January of year 2002.  In 2005, the new owners decided to sell the enterprise to the SABMiller Group, the second largest brewery in the world in volume, with operations in six continents and with an annual production of over 170 million hectoliters in more than 170 countries.

Their crown jewel is Cerveza Atlas which is a ubiquitous brand in this small country.  Other brands they also carry are:  Balboa beer, Miller beer, Corona Extra beer, Miller Chill beer, Malta Vigor, Pepsi, Squirt, Orange Crush, Canada Dry, 7 Up, Mirinda, Leche Nevada, La Chiricana milk, Tutti Frutti and Brisa bottled water.

During baseball games, they have attractive girls promoting their beer by giving away sweaters, baseball caps, and other goodwill items.  Below are a couple of photographs of SAB Miller’s promoters marketing the ice-cold golden liquid during a baseball game.  Here we go.

Photograph of an Atlas beer promoter and her assistant. As you can see, they are busy handing out promotional T-shirts. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of a beautiful blonde promoter posing for the camera during a baseball game in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of three beer promoters busy distributing goodwill items to the spectators at the Rod Carew baseball park. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

There’s nothing so delicious as drinking an ice-cold Atlas beer, or any other beer for that matter, during a baseball game.  What do you think?  Good Day.

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Baseball Music in the Air

Something the world will never forget about the 2010 FIFA’s Word Cup in South Africa, is the deafening sound of the vuvuzelas.  As you probably know, vuvuzelas are plastic trumpets, about three feet long, brightly colored and sound pretty much like an elephant. This noise-making trumpet of South African football fans became to symbolize the sport in the country.

We don’t have vuvuzelas in Panama.  Instead we have the murga.  A murga is a small music combo which consists of a couple of brass instruments, drums and other noise making artifacts.  They are widely used during the Carnival festivities, baseball and football games.  Their music is so contagious, it’s difficult to resist the temptation of dancing to their hot tropical rhythms.

When a baseball game is tight, and the winning run can turn to either team, the noise of the murga could make the difference.  The teams know that, so the make sure they bring in the noisiest murga to the stadiums.  When they start playing, the crowd roars like an African lion and the reaction is immediately seen in the field.  A baseball game without a murga is like an ocean without waves.

Below are several pictures of a murga playing at the Rod Carew baseball park in Panama City, Panama.  Here we go.

Photograph of several members of a "murga" of Panama Metro. Notice the African drums or "tumbas" on the left. The gentlemen with the green jacket was the leader of the group. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Two members of the Panama Metro murga gives us the victory sign. Indeed, this team won the national championship. The festivities in the city were heard on the dark side of the moon. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Picture of of a Panamanian murga in action. Notice the trumpet in the background. At this particular moment, the team was losing, thus the sad faces of the spectators. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A close-up view of the murga's drum players in the middle of the crowd. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Now it's time for the wind instruments to join the fun. As you can see, the murga blends beautifully with the crowd. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Members of the murga take a well deserved break during the brief pause at the end of an inning. Energized with beer, they will continue their music joined in by the fired-up spectators. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Europe has their own group songs, Africans have their traditional vuvuzelas, Argentina has their faithful barras, and we in Panama have our musical murgas.  All of them add spice and flavor to the game.  Yep, if you come to Panama during the dry season (December-April), I encourage you to drop over to a baseball game.  You’ll remember the experience for the rest of your life.  Good Day.

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Fans

Fans are a special breed of people.  They will do whatever it takes to follow their team and make it win.  They paint their faces and bodies with the traditional colors of the team, wear extremely odd hats, wear weirdy looking clothes, and travel millions of miles anywhere in the globe to see their team win or lose.  If they lose, the party stops during the early rays of the sun, and if the team lose, the party goes on anyway…albeit with a few sad tears.

Usually when you go to a sports venues, the thousands of fans look like a giant flood of people.  Their faces and bodies are lost by the immensity of the crowd.  Fans look like small dots of bright colors in the distance; like magnified pixels on the bright screen of your computer.  At stadiums, fans are faceless.  Only their roar is clearly perceived.

During my recent visit to Rod Carew’s stadium, I walked around in an effort to personalize the fans.  I wanted to know how they looked like.  I wanted to know if they were men, women or children.  I wanted to know how they were dressed.  I wanted to photograph the fans in flesh and bone.  No more pixeled-looking figures lost in the distance.

Below are several photographs of fans at a baseball game in Panama City, Panama.  You can see their faces very well, and their beautiful smiles too.  Here we go.

Photograph of a Panamanian family at a baseball game in Panama City, Panama. The dad was having fun with his Panama beer, the mother was having fun following the game, and the daughter was having fun collecting autographs. It was a win-win situation for everybody in the family. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This fan watched the game with a homely atmosphere. Personal chair, Spanish hand fan, and a close location to the field. Can't get any better than that. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This young fan was walking through the stadium like a model in a fashion show. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This fan takes advantage of the window of opportunity to embrace a baseball player. Both of them look so natural. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This young woman was adamantly reluctant to have her picture taken. I had to convince her boyfriend before getting her to pose. You can obviously see how proud the boyfriend looks. With a woman like that, I would also feel most proud. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The smiles these fans gave me lighted up the stadium. They looked absolutely gorgeous, in search of a better English word. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

And now you know how fans look like in a baseball game in Panama City, Panama.  They look just like any other fan in any city around the world—really cool!  Good Day.

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Joke: Handyman Hoodunnit

A workman was killed at a construction site. The police began questioning a number of the other workers. Based with past brushes with the law, many of these workers were considered prime suspects. They were a motley crew:

The electrician was suspected of wiretapping once but was never charged.

The carpenter thought he was a stud. He tried to frame another man one time.

The glazier went to great panes to conceal his past. He still claims that he didn’t do anything; that he was framed.

The painter had a brush with the law several years ago.

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor was known to pack heat. He was arrested once but duct the charges.

The mason was suspect because he gets stoned regularly.

The cabinet maker is an accomplished counter fitter.

The autopsy led the police to arrest the carpenter, who subsequently confessed. The evidence against him was irrefutable, because it was found that the workman, when he died, was hammered.

If English is not your native tongue, this joke could require a bit of help from an English speaking person.  However, if your language is English, you’ll enjoy the use of witty puns.  English is a difficult language, but after a while it gets quite fun.  Good Day.

Source:  Miss Cellania

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Autographs

Collecting autographs—something written by one’s own hand—are a worldwide practice.  Once you’re a celebrity, everybody wants your autograph.  The fans want your signature on just about anything; that’s readable:   napkins, balls, tissue paper, books, toilet paper, scrap paper, whatever.  The thing is to have your imprint somewhere to show off with their friends and relatives.  The hobby of collecting autographs is known as philography.

Some of the most popular categories of autograph subjects are Presidents, military figures, sports, popular culture, artists, social and religious leaders, scientists, astronauts and authors.  For one of the most foremost collections of autographs look up Tommy Scullion; a calligraphic artist in his own right.

Many people who will stand outside premieres etc and ask for autographs are actually professional autograph traders, who then sell the autographs for full profit, rather than fans interested in the star itself or in even keeping the autograph.  Due to this fact, some celebrities are willing to distribute their autographs for money.  For example, Pete Rose was paid to sign 30 baseballs with the inscription “I’m sorry I bet on baseball.”

In Panama, kids stand in line to collect autographs from their favorite baseball players.  They collect their signatures in just about anything as I explained earlier.  Then they go around the park comparing their collections with other children.  It’s quite an experience to watch them boast about their collections.  Something similar is done by kids in the States with baseball cards.

Below are several shots of baseball autographs.  I relished the cooperation of the players patiently signing hundreds of autographs before, during, and after the games.  Kids glow like a lantern when they get the signature from a popular player they’ve been after for months, or even years.

Photograph of an autograph of "Jan Jan" with the number 20 on his shirt. This signature surely placed a great smile on a kid's face in Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A Panama Metro player stamps his signature on a fan's baseball in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Cristobal Girón, Manager of Panamá Metro, shows a baseball with his signature to the crowd. I'm sure it will be treasured by a young baseball fan in Panama City. That's the nature of the game. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This picture shows Cristobal Girón, Manager of Panamá Metro, and a player of the same team busy signing autographs to young kids in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

One characteristic that I love about baseball is the involvement of children.  They bring a breath of fresh air to the game.  Next time you go to a baseball game, bring your kids with you.  They will never forget the experience of watching a baseball game, catching a foul ball or getting a famous player to sign their prized baseball.  Good Day.

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Delicate as Morning Dew

Chocolate Grits Ice Cream by Matt and Ted Lee. Credit: food network.com.

Yesterday afternoon I received from a regular reader of Lingua Franca, an e-mail that raised both of my whitish eyebrows.  The message was as fresh and delicate as morning dew.  It was so special, there was no way I was going to keep it to myself.

I went ahead and asked for his authorization to place it in Lingua Franca. He said “Yes”, and here it is.  Relax and focus your eyeballs on your computer screen.  The message travels directly, like a laser beam, straight to your soul.

“One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them—all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, “Ice cream, please. Three scoops, chocolate.”

I wasn’t sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. “Along with heated apple pie,” Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time…but when our orders were brought out, I didn’t enjoy mine.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn’t believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.

—I smiled. He asked if he amused me.
—I  answered, “Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.”
—“How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?“

He laughed and said “I’m tasting all that is possible.”  “I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life’s so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.”

—“This year I realized how old I was.” He grinned and added:

—“I haven’t been this old before. So, before I die, I’ve got to try those things that for years I had ignored.”

—“I haven’t smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven’t fished. There’s more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.”

—“There are too many golf courses I haven’t played. I’ve not laughed at all the jokes. I’ve missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.”

—“I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.”

—“I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.”

—“I haven’t cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.”

—“So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I’d say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart’s desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.”

With that, I called the waitress over… “I’ve changed my mind,” I said. “I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!”

This is my gift to you. We need an annual Friends Day! If you get this twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much and laugh often.  Be happy.  Share this with your friends, including me if I’m lucky enough to be counted among them.

Be mindful that happiness isn’t based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money talks, chocolate ice cream sings! “

Need I say more?  Good Day.

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A Child in the Game

If you are a baseball fan, you already know how popular this game is with kids.  I remember when I was a kid listening to the Yankee games over short wave radio, as well as Cuban professional baseball directly from Havana.  I knew every single team and their players.  With the passing of time, I faintly remember a few teams like Cienfuegos and Almendares.  The games were then patronized by Partagás cigars, Hatuey beer and Bacardí rum.

During a recent game in Panama City, I was elated to run across a large number of children attending the games with their parents.  I think it’s an excellent tradition to promote the sport amongst members of the family because it nourishes the foundations of this essential social institution—the family.

Below are a couple of pictures of a lovely girl I encountered during a baseball game in Panama City, Panama.  Here we go.

Photograph of a cute little girl looking at her mother as if asking for reassurance. She clapped and cheered every time her team scored a run. When I tried to take her picture, she was very shy; her mother had to gently usher her to the camera. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of the golden sandals worn by the young baseball fan. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

If Panamanian parents continue to take their children to the games, we will have baseball forever.  I hope this tradition continues in the future,  to encourage the consolidation of the family and to further develop the sport.  Good Day.

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And the Umpire Said: “Play Ball!”

Once the Man in Black behind the catcher says, “Play Ball”, the adrenalin starts flowing and the crowd starts roaring.  The batter in turn stands to challenge the opening pitcher and likewise.  The attacker versus the attacked; that’s how the game is played.  That’s how it has been played since the early days of “Town Ball.”

Americans played a version of the English game rounders in the early 1800s which they called “Town Ball.” In fact, early forms of baseball had a number of names, including “Base Ball,” “Goal Ball,” “Round Ball,” “Fletch-Catch,” “Stool Ball,” and, simply, “Base.” In at least one version of the game, teams pitched to themselves, runners went around the bases in the opposite direction of today’s game, and players could be put out by being hit with the ball like in Schlagball. Like today, however, a batter was called out after three strikes.

The following picture will give you a feeling of a baseball game in Panama.  My Birthday camera—Canon PowerShot A720 IS—did a pretty good job with its modest zoom feature.  Here we go, the umpire has already said, “Play Ball”.

This picture shows the three classical figures of baseball: the umpire, the catcher and the batter, positioned from left to right. This photograph was retouched to display a touch of sepia color. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Game in progress with a runner in first base. Panama Metro has a red and white uniform and Bocas del Toro has a blue and white uniform. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A wide view of the field as seen by spectators sitting in the hard concrete seats. Ouch! You can barely see the television crew towards your upper left hand corner. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The players are stretching their muscles before the game. The woman is the physical trainer of the Panama Metro team. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of several Panama Metro players relaxing and doing their calisthenic exercises before the game. Once the action begins you have to act and react like a feline. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The reaction to a catch ball traveling over 100 miles per hour is essential to win a game.  Just take a close at Derek Jeter or Alex Rodríguez of the New York Yankees in action during a baseball game.  That’s what we’re looking for in Panama.  We still have a long journey ahead of us before that happens, but we’re working on it.  Carlos Lee and Mariano Rivera are good examples of Panama baseball.  Good Day.

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The Roaring Crowd

No sports will survive without the patronage of its fans.  They are the loyal guys who pay the bills, the guys who purchase the tons of hamburgers and barrels of beer in every single game; the same guys who buy the sweaters, baseballs, pennants, T-shirts, caps and millions of other paraphernalia.  They are the ones who jump, scream and dance while the games are being played.  The fans are the kings and queens of the sport, not matter which sports we’re talking about.

I’ve known baseball fans who know more about the sport, than many famous TV or radio commentators in Panama.  They know their favorite player’s statistics by heart.  These fans are absolutely unbelievable.

During the last baseball season, I took several shots of the public who attended one of the final championship games.  These are the faces of the Kings and Queens of Panama Baseball. Here we go.

Photograph of the fans who attended a baseball game between Panama Metro and Bocas del Toro at the Rod Carew baseball park in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photograph of thousands of baseball fans who paid their ticket to watch their team compete for the 2010 national championship. Their enthusiasm shook the stadium. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A panoramic view of Rod Carew's baseball park filled with thousands of fans supporting their team. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Take notice of the large number of women and kids who follow the games. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

In this photograph you can appreciate the bright smiles on the fans faces. They love the sport and Panama beer as well. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Going to a baseball game on a cool tropical evening is the best way to shake the stress off your mind.  Believe me.  Good Day.

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