On May 18 1997 Adam Cartwright took his 4 year old son Mitch along for the first time to a baseball game. The oldest Cartwright boy had arranged a hotel and tickets via internet.
A week before the event Adam said, “Son, in a week’s time we go away together for a few days. I have reserved a hotel room and tickets for something very beautiful.”
“Great daddy. Where is it where we are going to?”, asked Mitch.
“It is in Los Angeles. I won’t say anymore about it”, answered his father.
Mitch thought it was alright and went to play again with Cody, the shepherd dog of the Cartwright family.
On May16 Adam and Mitch went per car to Los Angeles. Mitch was used to the fact that he got taken along on business trips of his father but the boy felt that this time it would be different.
Arrived in Los Angeles Adam drove straight to the Mercury Hotel. He parked the car in the garage.
“Mitch, we are here. Are you coming?”, asked Adam.
“I am coming”, his son answered.
Adam got out and grabbed first the luggage and after that his offspring. Together they walked into the hotel.
“I have reserved a room for 2 persons. The name is Cartwright”, Adam said to the female receptionist.
She looked into the computer and said, “That’s right. You and your so have room 140.”
A bell boy came and took the luggage of the Cartwrights along.
“Just follow me”, he said.
“Come Mitch”, Adam said to his son who was still looking around.
The little boy ran along and was brought with Adam to their room.
“You room Mr Cartwright”, the bell boy said when he had carried the luggage inside.
“Thanks”, Adam said and he gave him a tip.
Mitch looked around and forgot his baseball glove totally.
“Daddy, may we sleep here? This room is bigger than mine at home”, he said a bit later on.
“We may sleep here indeed because I have paid for it. Tomorrow I have some business to handle and then you go to play baseball with other children”, Adam explained.
Mitch thought it was alright. The Cartwrights went to unpack and that evening they ate in a 4 star restaurant.
Like each evening Mitch soon fell asleep. Adam hoped that his son would behave himself with the baseball because it was the first time that Mitch was without his father.
The next morning Adam brought Mitch to a daycare center who happened to give a baseball clinic.
Adam wanted to stay but Mitch said already quickly, “Just go away daddy. I will entertain myself.”
The eldest Cartwright boy left with a relieved heart. Besides his business relation was waiting for him.
Mitch got received by Ken Miller.
“So you are Mitch Cartwright? How old are you and can you already play baseball?”, asked Ken.
“I am 4 and my grandpa has a big ranch where I can play on the yard. So baseball too”, was the answer of the young Cartwright.
They walked to a field where more children were. Quite soon the little ones were throwing over and hitting too was on the turn. Ken noticed very quickly that Mitch was natural and took him aside.
“Mitch, even though you are just 4 years old but now I already see that you can bring it very far in the baseball world”, said Ken.
“I want to but don’t play in a team yet”, answered Mitch.
“I will talk to your father about it when he comes to get you. Just go throw and catch with the others”, said Ken.
Mitch was right away again busy with throwing and catching. The children got a lunch but the little Cartwright hardly had time to eat.
Meanwhile Adam was with his business partner.
“Adam, nice that you could come all the way from Virginia City”, said Jack Miller.
“I have made a short holiday of it with my son. He now has a baseball clinic for 4 and 5 year olds”, answered Adam.
“My brother Ken is in charge of that clinic. If your son only looks like you a bit he’s in for a tough time”, laughed Jack.
“He is indeed. Mitch, my son, is mad about baseball and does that if it was up to him day and night. Other children of his age sleep with their bear but he does that with his glove”, said Adam.
They went to deal with the businesses. When that had happened the conversion became more light-hearted.
“What are the further plans?”, asked Jack.
“Well, tomorrow it’s my birthday and I had promised Mitch a baseball game for his birthday. So that happens tomorrow. He doesn’t know it yet though”, answered Adam.
“And Mitch is like you also for the Red Sox?”, asked Jack.
Adam sighed deep and said, “What that is concerned I have failed because his mother was for the Yankees and so he is too. And to make it even worse Mitch is also a supporter of the Braves. But he is a very easy child who can entertain himself easily. That is needed too because the Ponderosa takes a lot of time.”
“Wait a minute. Tomorrow it’s your birthday and you give a baseball game for the birthday of Mitch? Explain that for a minute”, said Jack.
“Mitch is born on Christmas Day but then there is no baseball anymore. That’s why tomorrow”, said Adam.
“I understand”, said Jack.
He looked into his agenda for a second and said then, “Adam, if you like you can also go tonight to a game with met Mitch. I go too and still have 2 free tickets over.”
“Do it. Then I will pick up Mitch a bit earlier from the daycare”, said Adam.
“Where are you sleeping?”, asked Jack.
“In het Mercury hotel. What time do you come to get us?”, was the counter-question of Adam.
“At 5 o’clock. I will come into the hotel”, said Jack.
They said bye and Adam went back to the hotel. There he left his laptop and other business papers to pick up Mitch.
Ken was still busy with Mitch when Adam came. Mitch pitched exactly a beautiful slider when his father arrived. Ken saw Adam and went to him.
“Mr Cartwright? I am Ken Miller, the coach of these children”, said Ken.
“Just say Adam because I have done a deal with your brother this afternoon. Has Mitch behaved himself nicely?”, asked Adam.
“He can teach the other children how to behave themselves. Your son is a natural what baseball is concerned”, said Ken.
Mitch came nearer with his glove. He looked tired but satisfied.
“Hi daddy”, the boy said.
“Hello son. How did you find it?”, Adam asked picking up his son.
“Very great. May I also play baseball at home?”, was the counter-question of Mitch.
“Of course. But now you come with me because we have to go later on to something important”, said Adam.
Ken knew enough and went to clean up. Adam and Mitch went to the hotel. The boy became more anxious but didn’t dare to ask any further.
“Daddy, are we going to eat soon? I am hungry”, said Mitch.
“We go to eat soon. But first you take a bath and out on other clothes”, reacted Adam.
With reluctance his son agreed.
Adam remained with Mitch during bathing and let him get dressed on his own.
When Mitch saw the shirt of Anaheim he asked indignant, “Daddy, is that shirt for me?”
“Yes, because it’s much too short for me”, answered Adam.
Mitch put it on was yet satisfied about his new shirt.
“I only hope that acquaintances don’t see me now that I am wearing an Angels shirt”, he said while Adam buckled the sandals.
“Mitch, this is your shirt for official occasions. Other times you just may wear your Braves or Yankees shirt”, Adam suggested as a compromise.
“Alright then”, Mitch said satisfied.
Quickly he grabbed his glove and rucksack along and followed his father.
In de hallway Jack already stood waiting.
He saw Mitch with his shirt and asked Adam, “Have you talked your son into it or bribed him?”
“He put it on with reluctance but I have said also that he only has to wear it with official occasions. Mitch, this is Mr Miller. Takes us out tonight. Jack, my son Mitch”, said Adam.
Mitch took off his glove and gave Jack nicely a hand. Here after they went away.
Arrived at the stadium of Anaheim Mitch said, “Are we going here? How great.”
“I have VIP tickets for us including supper”, Jack explained.
“Mitchell, now you must stay by me because it can and will be very busy”, Adam said seriously.
“I promise”, the little boy said.
They got out and walked to the entrance for VIPS. For the security Adam carried Mitch because he was of small build.
Jack and the Cartwrights had excellent seats. Mitch did stare his eyes out and was silent to big amazement of Jack.
“Is he always this quiet?”, asked Jack.
“Normally not but it’s the 1st time that he is in a big baseball stadium”, answered Adam.
“Mitch, what do you want to have for your supper?”, asked Jack.
“Just go with him. Give me your glove and bring for me 3 hamburgers”, said Adam.
Mitch gave his toy and went along with the businessman.
At the canteen Mitch saw to his big relief that they also had milkshakes.
“Mr Miller, I want to have French fries with chicken nuggets and a big peach milkshake”, said Mitch.
Jack took care of the order and with Mitch he went back again where Adam sat waiting.
“Daddy, they have a store here. May I take a look after supper?”, Mitch asked when they were reunited again.
“That’s alright. But only after supper”, answered Adam.
Mitch nodded and began to eat. Meanwhile he looked at the batting practice. Then the young Cartwright knew for sure that he wanted to become a pro baseball player. Even though Adam rather saw him working at the Ponderosa.
After supper Mitch went to the shop where he again stare his eyes out. His grandpa Ben Cartwright had given him some extra money for the holiday.
He asked the cashier, “Madam, what can I buy for 10 dollar?”
She said, “I shall show you something.”
Together they walked pass the stands. Finally Mitch choose a ball with the Angels logo and a scoring book. Elated he went back to his seat.
“Daddy, can you keep up the score for me?”, asked Mitch.
He gave the scoring book to Adam who accepted. Mitch sat down and looked at his father begging.
“Alright. But I will teach you it too”, Adam said who couldn’t refuse his nothing.
Jack went to pick up 2 lineup cards while Mitch put his new ball into his rucksack.
A moment later Jack returned with his brother Ken who went to sit next to Mitch.
“Adam, this is my brother Ken. Ken, Adam Cartwright”, said Jack.
“We already know each other”, said Adam.
He copied the lineups and Mitch watched.
Finally the game began. Adam kept the scoring while Ken explained Mitch the unusual situations of the game. Suddenly midfielder Sam Fowler of the Angels hit a foul ball in the direction of Mitch. In a fraction of a second the boy held his glove up and he caught the ball.
“Another one for your collection”, said Adam.
“I may keep it?”, Mitch asked amazed.
“Yes. Each ball which gets hit into the audience and you catch it you may keep it”, answered Ken.
Mitch put the ball into his rucksack. The game couldn’t last him long enough. Though there came an end to it. The grownups saw how Mitch was still looking fascinated at the empty baseball field.
“Mitch, are you coming?”, asked Jack.
“No, I stay here”, answered the little lad.
“Kid, we really have to go because the baseball players are all tired and go to bed too”, said Adam.
That helped because Mitch put his scoring book and glove into his rucksack and let him carry by his father. Adam knew from experience that now his son would fall asleep very quickly. So that happened. Jack brought the Cartwrights back to the hotel where Mitch got brought to bed.
The following morning the Cartwrights were up early.
Still in his pajamas Mitch came with a package to Adam and he said, “Daddy, happy birthday with your birthday.”
Adam received and said, “Thanks son.”
He unwrapped it. Ben had with his grandson via internet ordered a photo frame of the Boston Red Sox. In there was a photo of Mitch as baseball player.
“Grandpa has helped”, confessed Mitch.
“I already thought so. I find it brilliant. Now you first take a bath, after that getting dressed and then we will eat together”, said Adam.
So said, so done.
The Cartwrights took an extended breakfast .
“Daddy, what are we going to do today?”, Mitch asked halfway breakfast.
“Well, I still have some work to sort out this morning. If you want you may go swimming and I remain by the swimming pool while I work”, answered Adam.
“Alright”, said Mitch.
They ate on where after first they went to their hotel room and after that to the swimming pool where more children were and also supervision. Quite soon Mitch was into the water and Adam at work.
Suddenly Mitch slipped by the stairs. He screamed it out of pain whereby Adam was with him right away. Also a swimming teacher Debbie Smith came to Mitch who already had come out of the water. He supported with his right hand his left wrist. Adam examined the injured wrist and came to the fact that his son had a broken wrist.
“End of swimming party for you, Mitch. Your wrist is broken”, Adam said while he dried the boy.
Mitch walked with Adam who shut down his laptop and after that went to their room. With a lot of pain and trouble Mitch got dressed.
“First we go to the hospital and after that something nice”, said Adam.
“You mean again to the stadium?”, Mitch asked who forgot the pain in his wrist for a moment.
“Indeed”, Adam said who buckled the sandals of Mitch.
Here after they went per car to the hospital where the little Cartwright got treated quickly. Mitch didn’t move a muscle when his wrist got examined and got a yellow cast around it.
Adam drove straight to the stadium of Anaheim and parked his Mercedes close by the entrance.
“Mitch, I don’t think that you don’t want to go inside anymore”, he said teasing.
“Of course I do”, the boy reacted at once.
They got out and walked to the VIP entrance. Mitch had his glove and rucksack with him and remained close by Adam.
Again the Cartwrights had excellent seats. When his son sat down Adam decided to get something to eat.
“Mitch, what do you want to have?”, asked Adam.
“Just bring something. You know that I like everything”, said Mitch.
“Stay here and sit”, said Adam.
The boy nodded where after Adam left. The batting practice had began already and Mitch watched with big fascination. Suddenly catcher Casey Jones threw a ball which Mitch caught.
“Here you have a ball lad”, said Casey.
“Can you put your signature on it?”, asked Mitch.
He gave a pen + ball and got it back and the ball with autograph.
Casey saw the cast and asked, “How did you actually break your wrist?”
“This morning at the swimming pool”, Mitch said without turning a hair.
Casey continued with the batting practice and Mitch put the new ball into his rucksack. This holiday couldn’t go anymore wrong for the young Cartwright.
Meanwhile Adam ran into Jack Miller again in the club house.
“Adam, what are you doing here?”, Jack asked laughing.
“I can say that of you too. I celebrate my birthday here with Mitch”, answered Adam.
Jack shook him the hand and said, “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks. I just wanted to get something to eat for us. Are you coming?”, asked Adam.
“I pay. My function here is being manager of the club house”, said Jack.
With the food and drinks the men went back to Mitch who was still looking with fascination at the field.
“Hello Mitch”, said Jack.
“Hello Mr Miller”, said Mitch.
He got his lunch and ate it. Adam and Jack did the same thing.
“Daddy, I caught a ball from Casey Jones. He put his name on it”, Mitch said suddenly.
“I think that we have to change your room quite a lot when we are home again”, Adam said smiling.
He didn’t say why though.
Mitch understood more and more of the game which got called baseball. If he hadn’t enough luck the young Cartwright caught a homerun ball which was hit by Casey Jones.
“Daddy, you will have to run the Ponderosa without me because I am going to play baseball later”, Mitch said after the game.
Adam answered, “I know for sure that grandpa won’t agree with it. But if you want it we will help you with it.”
Mitch knew that too. As little as he was.
To end his birthday festively Adam took Mitch to a restaurant.
“May I have baked potatoes, apple-sauce and chicken?”, asked Mitch.
“Of course. What do you want to drink?”, Adam asked on his turn.
“Cola”, said the boy.
The waiter came and took the order. A bit later on 2 Cartwrights were enjoying a delicious meal.
“Daddy, are we going home tomorrow?”, Mitch asked suddenly.
“First we sleep late tomorrow and then we go back home. Have you missed the others?”, Adam wanted to know.
“Only Cody and grandpa. Your brothers not at all”, answered Mitch.
“That goes for me as well”, said Adam.
“Do I get a new room?”, asked Mitch.
“Yes, but we do that when we are home again. I won’t say more about it”, his father answered.
Mitch knew enough .
After dinner the Cartwrights went back to their hotel again where they enjoyed a well goodnight’s rest.
Underway home Mitch said, “Daddy, I always want to have a great holiday like this one.”
“I can understand that. But you will have many more holidays”, answered Adam.
The few days away had brought father and son again closer to each other. Especially Mitch would never ever forget this holiday.