My kids ran downstairs from their virtual school desks and saw the TV on pause. I was busy putting lunch on the table when my kids sang in unison, “Unpause the Reds Game” clap, clap, clap, clap “Unpause on the Reds game”.

It’s time for the lunchtime viewing party of the Cincinnati Reds first playoff game in seven years. We’ve been talking about this all day. The excitement in the house is at a very high level.

We are a baseball family. I coach my son’s select baseball team, my wife coaches my daughter’s six-year-old softball team and our one-and-a-half-year-old never misses her sibling’s games. Sure she has to come to all the games, but she always has fun. As you can see, we love baseball.

My kids have never seen the Reds in the playoffs. My son was two-years-old the last time the Reds played in the postseason. It’s obviously not something he remembers. Neither of my daughters were born.

Being able to watch your favorite baseball team in the playoffs is special. I remember my excitement as a 13-year-old in 1990 when the Reds won the World Series. I’m sure I had a hard time focusing on school knowing the Reds had a playoff game later that day. My kids did a pretty good job of focusing on virtual school today, but there was also a lot of watching the clock.

We ate lunch during commercial breaks. We rooted on the Reds against the Atlanta Braves during the rest of our lunchtime. My kids hung on every pitch and hit. They applauded their favorite players and booed when an ump made a bad call. It’s the perfect way for my kids to take a break from virtual learning and a great time for me to enjoy a special moment them.

Go Reds!