Not my idea of fun!

[thbaker41]

Would have went to the game I dont watch baseball on tv but its alot of fun being there Im going to one this sat the Bowlinggreen Hotrods never been to one of there games yet but the city just built a new field and its really nice plus the tickets were free. Now if it was a soccer game I would have chose to stay at work soccer has to be the most boreing sport ever to watch

[Freedom]

I have never been to a baseball game. I have never watched one on TV. But a 12 hour work day? Um, I'd have taken the 3 hour "gift!"

[Lady's Human]

I absolutely despise mandatory fun days.

The military is big on them. What, living in each others' hip pockets, training, and hanging out together on our own isn't "team building" enough?

Want to do me a favor? Give me a couple hours off. The last thing I want to do is spend more time with people I already spend 8+ hours of my day with.

[pomtzu]

I'm not a big baseball fan and have never been to a game, but will occasionally watch a World Series game if the local team makes it. If it was an office outing I might consider going if it was in cooler weather, but definitely not in the heat of summer.

When I was working, the company president had deep sea fishing trips for anyone who wanted to go. I love the ocean but never went, since I easily get seasick!

[moosmom]

I'm with you, Kim. I don't know why he would choose a game. Like you said, not everyone likes it. I think he could've given everyone a choice or taken a poll as to what interests them.

When I worked at Xerox, they used to plan fun events, which coincided with a "business meeting" (probably for tax purposes). One year they had a huge dinner meeting with a weekend of skiing at Mt. Snow. It was wonderful.

Too bad he wouldn't give you time off instead.

[Cataholic]

I think the intention was to get everyone out, outside of work, and hope for some camaraderie. From some of the things you have shared about your workplace, it sounds like it is needed!

I worked with a girl, nothing was ever good enough. We would have 'catered' lunch- she hated it. We would have 'jeans day'- jeans are too uncomfortable. We would have drinks after work- she doesn't drink. The list went on and on and on. Ten years later? She is still miserable, at her third job. Too bad, cause ten years is a really long time to be miserable.

I don't like baseball, or any spectator sports, really. But, I would have gone, with a smile on my face, and a few topics of non work convo in my head to keep things interesting.

[smokey the elder]

Companies I've worked with had "company-wide" events rarely; the best one was a picnic at the Milwaukee County Zoo at my first job. Company picnics with assorted activities are often wins; people can hang out and eat, or take part in numerous activities, or not as they preferred.

They also offered on a pay per use basis: bus trips to NYC or Boston, to a ball game, play, etc; the Bronx Zoo, Foxwoods, etc, that again people could partake or not.

Best work outing story I've heard: one job had a bus trip to NYC to see the Lion King...on Sept. 15, 2001, with a dinner at a churrascaria (sp? Brazilian grill.) They decided to carry on with the trip, and both the theater and the restaurant were very grateful that the trip went forward.

[sparks19]

Going to a baseball game is rarely about watching the game lol.

I'm not a big baseball fan myself but we go to the local minor league team games here from time to time. The Barnstormers. they aren't very good but it's always a lot of fun. They have seating at the very back of the outfield for really cheap, bring your lawn chairs and they have a big play area for the kids and games and such, music between plays. We rarely watch any of the game. Instead it's just nice to be outdoors, with friends, have a beer or something, popcorn, walk around. just hang out. I think if you let yourself get past the sport watching aspect you could really have a good time

[catnapper]

Well he got the tickets free for the local AAA team. The cost of tickets if he had paid would have been $5. We all agree the game is a terrible idea. We would all rather a nice restaurant. Another office gets to go to a local amusement park! We are deriously jealous of that'll ..... that boss got those tickets free too.

I won free tickets to a ball game this tuesday.... box seats including catered food and a parking pasd. My husband is taking Cam and 2 others.

[Bengalz]

The best outings our company has ever provided for us were:

• an afternoon of go cart racing
• an afternoon of playing "Survivor" in a local park
• an afternoon of Playland with rides and a BBQ
• an afternoon at Hastings Park (horse racing)

The first two were team events and actually were a lot of fun! Playland was great because you had choices: if you weren't into rides you could play miniature golf and just simply relax with your colleagues - no pressure. Also, families were invited to the Playland event - it was so appreciated by the parents in our company. The horse racing event was such a different venue, again without pressure, just social.

Other events that WERE NOT too successful:

• 18 holes of golf at a local course - very expensive but wasted on people who do not enjoy golf (and there were many)
• a baseball game - most people left early

I agree with Sara - this is a difficult choice to make because everyone is different. We have also foregone semi-formal Christmas parties (with spouses) in our company and instead, get the staff together at a local pub for an afternoon with lunch, billiards and darts for those who are interested, and a cab ride home, if necessary. We have prize pools and stupid games for anyone who wants to play - somehow it works.

[Miss Z]

I think the nearest thing we have to competitive baseball over here is cricket - now that IS a boring sport!

But, my father and brother are mad on it; my brother actually plays at county level and my dad coaches youth teams. It is a huge part of their lives and they talk about it all the time. It drives my mother and I nuts. I can't usually stand more than 10 minutes of it!

That being said, I would endure the hours of being bored out my skull, if it meant something to the family, to the group, business team, whatever. Team building's what you make of it, I guess, and not going appears antisocial, no matter how well you and your boss get along I'm afraid. Though, I'm sure he knows there are no hard feelings.

Like others have suggested, I think a few hints at what you'd like to do are needed! Since you get along so well with your boss I'm sure he'll endeavour to find something you can all enjoy.