My experience at the World Series

ony La Russa blamed the noisy crowd for a pitcher mix up. Apparently, we were too loud.

Yes, I was a part of "the crowd" that

attended Game 5 of the 2011 World Series.

One of the things that pleasantly surprised me about the game was the environment, at least where I sat, in the "home run porch."

 I usually don't like noisy crowds. They almost always give me a headache. But the ballpark was different. Fans behaved civilly and were friendly to each other.

There was plenty of team spirit without unnecessary obscene language or offensive behavior. It was all in the spirit of team

loyalty and a love for great baseball.

For example, two rows below me was a group of diehard but good-natured Cardinals fans. Sitting in the row between us was an enthusiastic family with two young boys.

During the game, one of the St. Louis guys started a bet with the family (the parents,

really). If the Cardinals scored by the end of the current inning, then the Rangers fans had to buy the man a beer and if the

Rangers scored by the end of the inning, then the Cardinals fans would buy a drink for their opponents.

I don't know exactly when the bet started or how many beers went around, but I do know that the Rangers fans drank more beer than the Cardinals.

Between the incessant calls of "ICE COLD BEER" and "LET'S GO RANGERS, LET'S GO," several exciting plays -- including two home runs for the Rangers -- and taking pictures of the game, I was surprised when it was time for "God Bless America" just

before the seventh inning stretch.

For the remaining innings, I was riveted by the plays. All of a sudden, everyone stood up and cheered. Confused, I looked around the field and saw the

players gather at their dugouts. It took me a second to realize that the game was over. Just like that.

The Cardinals and Rangers lined up to high-five each other, acknowledging a "good game." I looked back at the scoreboard, which assured me that the Rangers won:   Rangers 4-2.