Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Opinion Columnist| August 25, 2022

Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO.

My boyfriend and I traveled from Washington, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri to see the Chicago Cubs play the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 3rd, 2022. This would be the first baseball game I saw in-person, also the first professional sport I got to see in-person. Little did we know the stress it was about to cause. 

Picture this: it was a Wednesday and I would be moving back to DeKalb and into my first apartment that Friday. This was going to be the last big event we did before gearing up for the school year. 

We had a three-hour drive ahead of us, so we left home around 11 a.m. to get to Alton, Illinois (where my boyfriend is from, and where his grandpa still resides) by 2 p.m. We wanted to have time to drop our bags off at his grandpa’s, eat and relax for a minute before heading into the city. 

The drive gave us clear skies – but once we reached Alton, thick gray clouds loomed over the rest of our evening. 

When we stopped at a local sandwich shop for dinner, our eyes were glued to the weather reports. The meteorologist only told us what we didn’t want to hear; thunderstorms were on their way. 

Moments later, we heard the faint sound of water trickling against the roof. The noise started to build louder and louder and louder until there was a loud BANG! And a bright flash of light through the windows. The power flickered for a minute. It was then that we figured the game would not happen that night. But, the dedicated fan that my boyfriend is, thought, “Let’s go to the stadium anyway! Just in case.” 

We were fortunate enough to find a nice parking garage just a couple blocks away from Busch Stadium for only $10! We parked and followed a surprisingly decent amount of people into the stadium. 

We walked around for a while, stopping in all the shops. I got a cool new red Tervis cup that had a sugar skull decorated with the cardinals logo on it, and my boyfriend purchased a light blue Cardinals baseball cap and Yadier Molina’s pin, which has since been placed on the hat. 

We waited for at least an hour before the news broke that the game had been postponed until noon the next day. That was not what we wanted to hear. 

I was beginning to grow increasingly stressed. I mean, I was getting ready to move and still had packing to do. We decided to stay anyway. We drove all that way and might as well stay for the game. 

The drive back was filled with conversations about rationalizing the choice to stay, and ultimately we were glad we did. 

The sun was out the next afternoon. You would never have even known it had stormed the night before. 

We purchased sodas and a nacho bowl that came in a plastic souvenir red baseball hat and quickly found our seats. 

There were lots more people there this time, and the energy was electrifying. The game itself was about as interesting as a baseball game can get; but in the end, the Cardinals won and we had a great time. 

Editors note: Kelly Bauer was editor-in-chief at the Northern Star from 2012 to 2015. Currently, Bauer is breaking news editor at Block Club Chicago. ...

Opinion: Community festivals are essential

Opinion: College rankings are not important

Organ donation is important, especially for people of color

The time I… met my celebrity crush

GUEST COLUMN: Future of journalism is digital

Transfer student reflects on two years at the Star

Managing editor contemplates self growth

Senior reporter excited for future

Skincare should be affordable for all skin types

The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

Apply to the Northern Star

The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

Apply to the Northern Star