Give this Skeeters team a big high five

There I was, sitting in Gary Gaetti’s office in the clubhouse at Constellation Field interviewing him for this special section on the Sugar Land Skeeters, trying hard not to come across as a star-struck fan boy.

I’ve interviewed hundreds of celebrities, athletes, politicians and the like over the years, so I’ve learned to control that geeky feeling you get when you meet somebody famous. This, however, was special.

The first time I saw Gaetti, I had no idea who he was. I had just moved to Minnesota and my now ex-in-laws took me to my first Major League Baseball game. It was 1987 and the Twins were hosting the Oakland A’s. The great Reggie Jackson was making his farewell tour with the A’s and it was his last stop at the Metrodome. Gaetti was playing third base for the Twins.

The Twins won the game. They kept on winning and that fall won their first World Series. That year I became not only a Twins fan, but also a baseball fan. Growing up in Colorado, there wasn’t much to root for outside of the Denver Broncos, so I had a lot to learn about the sport. I still have a lot to learn.

When I returned to Colorado, I became fan of the new Colorado Rockies team and was even briefly employed by them as a ticket-taker. Since my move to Texas 10 years ago, I let my interest in baseball slip. It was too hard to keep following the Rockies at a distance and the team hasn’t exactly performed at a level to keep one’s interest. I’ve gone to a few Houston Astros games and even covered a couple games as a photographer.

Five years ago came a game-changer. The Sugar Land Skeeters were born. Wouldn’t you know it; one of my beloved Twins of old was named the manager! I was excited enough to be able to watch the birth of a team. Bringing Gaetti onboard was icing on the cake. We got tickets to the inaugural game and my youngest boys joined the Buzz Brigade and were on the field to welcome the players.

Over the course of the last four seasons I’d guess we have seen an average of six or so games a year. My wife Sandy and I love going to the games. Our boys aren’t into sports but enjoyed the playground or just playing games on their cell phones (insert eye-roll here).

When I applied for the position as editor of the Fort Bend Star, one of the first things I thought about and hoped for was being able to cover the Skeeters. Welcome to a dream come true. Working on this special section has been a huge thrill. Everyone in the Skeeters organization from President Jay Miller and Jay Lucas, the vice president of marketing and public relations, to other front office personnel and Gaetti and his players have been very friendly and accommodating.

Each time I go to the ballpark I get a deep, positive feeling with every person I encounter. There is an intangible vibe or buzz at Constellation Field. There seems to be a feeling that this is the year it all comes together. If the players stay healthy and the big leagues don’t raid the team as hard as they did last season, this could very well be Sugar Land’s first Atlantic League championship team.

I don’t want to jinx the team but rather spread the word that there is something incredible happening here. You don’t want to miss it. Come on out to the ballpark and be a part of something special. At the end of the season you’ll be able to say, “I was there” and “WE won it all!”

This is the Skeeters fifth season of existence – their High Five year. Come on out and give the team a big high five. I think a high five gesture could very well be to this team and the fans what a homer hanky or terrible towel is to other teams. So, come to the ballpark, slap some high fives and root the Skeeters to victory!