Paper Airplanes

[iambujo]

Originally Posted by Chris Hibner

I hate to post this since it's going to make me sound like an a killjoy or a typical parent that yells "it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye", but here it goes:

I got hit in the side of the face Saturday with a paper airplane. I'm not sure what it was made of, but it actually hurt quite a bit. All I could think of was: a) I'm glad it didn't hit me in the eye because as bad as it hurt there's a good chance it could have seriously damaged my eye, and b) I should put my safety glasses on (which I did).

I must be a killjoy also. I know the majority loves this growing tradition, I read about it last year. But this was my first time witnessing it. I was there supporting my team, with my 1 year old son and wife. We actually had to leave. You can't put or keep safety glasses on a 1 year old. We put him in the stroller and rolled over to a concourse to watch from the side, one still made it in under the canopy and hit him in the face!

So yes it may be fun, but it's certainly a safety issue. One of those in the eye could cause permanent damage, and to require every spectator to have safety glasses on is not realistic.

I suspect some will say (or think) it's not a place for a baby anyway. With the paper airplanes flying I agree, without them I disagree and am proud that all 3 of my kids have started in the FIRST environment as babies and have loved it ever since. They've even been considered team mascots over the years! They deserve to be there too, and shouldn't need safety gear in the stands.