Not my idea of fun!

[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.

[Edwina's Secretary]

No good deed goes unpunished. Moosmom - the reason to combine it with a business meeting is so that the employees don't have to pay taxes on it. Anyway...reminds me of this....

Employee Christmas Party MEMO

Christmas Party

December 1...To All Employees

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will be held
on December 23rd at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. There will be lots of
spiked eggnog and a small band will play traditional carols...feel free
to sing-along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as
Santa Claus to light the Christmas tree.

Exchanging gifts among employees can be done at this time. Please
remember to keep gifts to the agreed $10 limit.

Merry Christmas to you and yours,

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 2...To All Employees

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish
employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday and
often coincides with Christmas (although not this year). However, from
now on we're calling this party our Holiday Party. The same policy also
applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time. There
will be no tree or Christmas carols sung.

Happy holidays to you and yours.

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 3...To All Employees

Regarding the anonymous note I received from a member of Alcoholics
Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, I'm happy to accommodate
your request but please remember that if I put a sign on the table that
reads "AA Only" you won't be anonymous any more.

In addition, we'll no longer be having a gift exchange because union
members feel that $10 is too much money.

Patti Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 7...To All Employees

I have arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest
away from the dessert table and for pregnant members to sit closest to
the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not
have to sit with gays; each group will have its own table. And, yes,
there will be a flower arrangement for the gay men's table.

Happy now?

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 9...To All Employees

People! People! Nothing sinister was intended by wanting our CEO to
play Santa Claus. Even if the anagram for "Santa" does happen to be
"Satan." There is no evil connation to our own little "man in a red
suit."

Patti Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 10...To All Employees

Vegetarians! I've had it with you people. We're holding this party at
Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not. You can just sit
at the table farthest from the "Grill of Death" as you call it, and
you'll get salad bar only including hydroponics tomatoes. Tomatoes have
feelings too, you know. They scream when you slice them. I can hear
them now. I hope you have a rotten holiday. Drive drunk and die, you
hear me?

The Bitch from Hell

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 14...To All Employees

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery
from her stress-related illness. I'll continue to forward your cards to
her at the sanitarium. In the meantime management has decided to cancel
the Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with
full pay.

Terri Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

[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.

[pomtzu]

The company I worked for had a LOT of events thruout the year, in addition to the deep sea fishing trip. When I started working there, there were around 300 employees, and when the economy was better, reached around 500, before the layoffs caused by the crappy economy. So any events cost a bundle - yes - tax free probably, knowing how the owner was.
Semi formal Christmas party at the Sheraton Ballroom for employee and guest. Fantastic sit down dinner, drinks, a band, and door prizes that would knock your socks off - like t.v.'s, computers, jewelry, etc - and about 20 different ones - not just a couple. An employees only catered Christmas luncheon on the last day of work before the days off for the holiday. Other catered luncheons thruout the year as appreciation days - when the company went over their sales quota for a particular month. A catered BBQ lunch in the parking lot during the summer - just for the heck of it, and a family company picnic in the early Fall.
Then there were the National Sales meetings, where sales reps from all over the country came in once a year for meetings, etc. Those of us in the sales/customer service department got to partake of the fun part without being involved in the boring meetings. For a whole week, every night after work, it was party, party, party with the reps - anywhere from the casual seafood hangout, to the Sheraton or the country club, and all paid for by the company. The partying usually ended around 1 a.m. - but then we had to face the work day the following morning. Thank goodness these "meetings" only lasted for ONE week!
I guess it wasn't such a bad place to work afterall............

[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.