sketchballcoliseum-blog

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"King of Cups." His Majesty's brilliance will be on display at the next beer pong game in his garage. We all like to take home a few of the plastic souvenir beer cups from the concession stands. I use them for paint brush storage. This guy goes big after the game and looks under each seat for what you left behind. Long live The King.

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In our strange modern era, where the sports pages read like the business section, and the business section reads like the sports pages, we can forget what draws us to a ball game. Is it how much, or as in the A's case, how little is spent on ball players? Probably not. Do we enjoy reading about how a stadium lease agreement was turned down by a ball club? Absolutely not. Is it the food at the concession stands? Hell no! The reason why we go to a baseball game, is because of the gentle old man pictured above. He sat a few rows in front of me at the last game I went to. He must have been 70 years old. He pawed at and tapped his glove with unrestrained glee whenever there was a man in scoring position. His gaze darted to the scoreboard between pitches. He was a child. His only thoughts and actions, were to serve his enjoyment of a game his body could no longer play. We are all taken back to some spring in our past when we watch baseball. Whenever you read about some bad news, please take in a ball game as soon as possible. The old man and his glove knows why.

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Sketch Ball is back! Hope everyone had a great off season. I won't be able to make it to the opening series this week, so I am posting the long lost drawing from a sketch book that started the whole project. I thought I would never find it! Here is the update on the comic: I continue to live up to the broke artist cliché, and find it difficult to gather the funds needed to self-publish the comic. I have received so much support and enthusiasm for this project that it blows my mind! I am doing my best to produce the finest baseball art y'all and ask for a little patience. So, lets settle into our seats at the Coliseum, your local bar, or in your underwear at home, and take part in another amazing season of Oakland baseball!

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I would like to wish my Uncle Rob a Happy 50th Birthday! He is probably the most knowledgable baseball fan I know. He always has great stories about the game and, very "colorful" descriptions of Giants fans. A true Oakland A's fan!

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When I first saw "The Champ" and "Super J," I had to check my ticket to make sure I didn't show up to a Mexican wrestling match! Then, I reminded myself that it's just an A's game. These two kids put on quite a show in the bleachers!

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Whenever a ball club does well, their ownership describes how great their fans are. Sure, there's some great fans out there, but Oakland can claim to have GREATEST sign maker of all time. It's true. MLB has determined that Ian of the right field bleachers, has amassed the most clever, and well executed signage the game of baseball has witnessed. Check out his Instagram: @greatestsignmaker to see why A's fans can claim to be the greatest in at least one category!

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Ballpark mixology: Sunflower seed infused lager.

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If you've been to a baseball game in Oakland, chances are you've seen "Banjo Man." He is the original super fan, having roamed the stands and halls of the Coliseum for over 30 years. With his trademark propeller hat and cape, he whips the crowd into a frenzy by playing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" over and over. I usually work on this comic while listening to the game on the radio. One of my favorite moments is when you can hear the faint twang of his banjo being picked up by the broadcast booth's microphone. With its horns, cowbells, drums, and banjo, the Coliseum has a special soundscape. Just listen for it.

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There is nothing like the crowds at $2.00 Wednesday games. Amateur sabermetricians are most definitely out in full force. With all of the extra room to spread out the sports pages and score cards, a sunny weekday at the Coliseum is a vision of paradise for some. Play hooky folks...

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Sayra Reyes is a great artist who makes huge paintings that hang from the Coliseum's bleachers. She recently featured portraits of the Melvin Misfits. The "Big A" aka "The Effin' A" was represented as he appeared in Sketch Ball, as a shout out to the comic! I'm thrilled to have A's fans like these at the ballpark. reyesart.webs.com

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Oakland A's Socks Girl is both a sports writer, and sports fashion trendsetter. When she's not writing for sportsunbiased.com or on her twitter account, she is showing off her trademark A's socks. Twitter: @OaklandAsSocksGirl

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To say Oakland A's fans are nerds, would be a huge understatement. Oakland Vader holds it down in the left field bleachers every game.

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As you move through the turnstyle at the next game, think of those who passed through before you. Who were they? Your elders? Your neighbors? How many people get stuck in them each year? Fans have seats in different sections, but all must pass through these stoic guards at the gate.

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And the beat goes on...

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Coco Fingers recently celebrated a birthday. His friend printed his portrait on a tee shirt! The best fans are at the Coliseum!

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Sketch Ball is now a member of the Balfour RAGE Fan Club!