My First Phillies Game – Tim visits Connie Mack Stadium

My first game was in 1965 with my father as he drove a bus full of neighbors from Norristown on a group outing to Connie Mack Stadium.

He had told me stories of growing up just 5 blocks away from the stadium. He had just started as a part-time bus driver while working full-time at Alan Wood Steel Co. in Conshohocken. I recall my friends and neighbors telling stories about the ending of the 1964 season and the high hopes everyone had for 1965!

I enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of the old ball park and have been a baseball fan since I can remember. I have pictures from my childhood as a 3 year old team mascot in full uniform while my father helped coach the neighborhood team of much older boys in a local league.

I cannot recall which team won but I know that my love for baseball began in the early 60’s with mentoring from both my parents. I vividly remember the passing of my grandfather in 1969, having a game same evening. My parents asking if “I felt good enough to play?”. I replied that my “Papa” would have wanted me to play in his honor!

(Tim Horning)

How many of the five senses do you remember experiencing at your first Phillies game?

Share your story and we’ll send you a free PHILS sticker. We may even post it on the site as part of our weekly series – My First Phillies Game!

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