On a recent trip to visit family, during a heat wave, I and a few relatives, including a 4-year-old boy, attended a Pittsburgh Pirates game.  Unfortunately, the home team lost, but the experience of being at the ballpark with an energetic little tyke makes the cost of entry worthwhile. 

The heat of the afternoon sun was eased earlier in the day by an invitation to take a dip in a neighbor’s swimming pool.  A few fortunate passing clouds that moved in as the day wore on helped a lot, too, and brought an afternoon thunderstorm with it.

By Game Time, there was lightning and thunder and a rain delay.  when the rain came, we were safe and secure in our covered seats.  The rain delay lasted only about a half-hour, but we had already begun indulging in our fair share of ballpark franks, popcorn, pizza, beer, and soda — a few of the joys of a hot July night.