By Steve Powell
Herald Writer
Work — and the Cleveland Indians — got in the way of a good time for many local Mariners fans Tuesday.
With the 1 p.m. start time of the first playoff game against the Indians, many fans were only able to sneak a peak of the game on TV, won 5-0 by Cleveland.
Arlene Adams, program coordinator of the literacy center at Everett Community College, watched the game during her lunch hour at the school’s movie lounge.
Wearing M’s earrings and a "Refuse to Lose" badge from 1995, she joined about a dozen others in watching the big-screen TV adorned with Halloween decorations.
"Baseball’s in my blood," said Adams, who has been a follower since 1977. "I’ve been a fan through thick and thin."
Adams will have better seats for Thursday’s game at Safeco Field in Seattle. She shares season tickets.
"It’s the closest we’ve been to the World Series," she said.
At Providence Everett Medical Center, some doctors carried light loads so they could attend the game. But those left behind on Tuesday still found a way to enjoy the contest.
"I duck in and out of lounges" where there are TVs, said Lisa Barney, health unit coordinator.
Nurse Brady Petersen said since they can’t get radio reception inside the hospital, workers have to rely on patients relaying the scores to them.
"We can bring it up on the Internet," he said.
The best site on the Internet for the baseball playoffs seems to be espn.go.com. In some respects, it’s better than TV because you don’t have to listen to the announcers. You get the game pitch by pitch on Gamecast. There’s a diamond with the current lineups. There are statistics galore. And it’s all free just by calling it up on your computer.
For $9.95, you can go to the Major League Baseball Web site at mlb.com and get audio Gameday over the Internet in English, Spanish or French. If you go to mariners.mlb.com, you’ll get the same offer.
Msnbc.com has story updates, and cnnsi.com offers Scorecast from Sports Illustrated. Sportingnews.com has an old-fashioned line score. And, of course, you can get Mariners’ coverage and columns at heraldnet.com/mariners.
Joyce Baker, who works in the Providence Everett Medical Center print shop, said she didn’t have time to check the Internet.
"I can’t do that and work," she said.
So she asked her husband to tape the game for her.
"I have no clue what’s happening," she said.
Surely, she didn’t want to know.
And if you don’t want your boss to find you listening to the game, Gamer-AM could be for you. It fits inside your ear, mostly hidden from view.
The single-frequency, ear-bud radio is preset to 710 KIRO. It lasts 40 hours on a single battery — good for about 13 games, which could get you through the playoffs. Cost is $12.99, plus shipping and handling. Call 888-593-4567, or purchase online at www.gamer-AM.com.
Students and teachers both lucked out in Marysville. They didn’t have to worry about how to sneak a peak at the game because they only had to go to school a half day Tuesday.
Also in Marysville, at the popular Cedarcrest Golf Course, the fairways were fairly empty at game time.
"Everybody wanted early tee times so they could get home early to see the M’s," assistant pro Wesley Perrault said.
He said tee times were definitely down between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. He was glad to be off at 2 p.m. so he could go home and watch the game, but he watched the earlier innings in the clubhouse.
Meanwhile, a random check of some restaurants and lounges showed about a dozen or so fans at most places.
Even at Scrappers in Everett, with its nine TVs, including one mega-size, turnout was not as good as bartender Kassandra Kegley thought it would be.
"I expected more to play hooky," she said.
You can call Herald Writer Steve Powell at 425-339-3427
or send e-mail to powell@heraldnet.com.
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