The woman in the pink dress quickly became a Twitter trend. Not in front of a TV for the start of the Royals game against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday night, I didn’t think much of it. An attractive woman behind home plate during ESPN’s national broadcast didn’t seem much like news or any reason for me to pay much attention.
Turned out I knew the woman in the pink dress better than I would’ve thought.
At first a mystery, the woman slowly became identified as Angelica Maxwell, a teacher and head varsity softball coach in the West Platte School District. She became a talking point first on social media and then in traditional media outlets.
What a world.
According to Maxwell, she received the ticket in the pricey Crown Club as a gift from her father. She showed the ticket to the usher and received the chair to sit in, which placed her just to the right of home plate in an awkward spot that didn’t appear to be an actual seat.
Those watching the game took quick notice of Maxwell and so began another tale of unexpected internet fame.
Various hashtags related to her pink dress started to pop up on Twitter. The talk lasted for part of the next day with discussion of Maxwell popping up on local AM sports talk radio.
Maxwell even ended up taking a selfie with “Marlins Man,” an attention whore sports fan that has gained his own notoriety and internet fame by standing out behind home plate. You might be familiar with him. He’s apparently an attorney who takes time off to vacation and buy expensive seats at various sporting events. He’s well known for his bright orange Marlins jersey and matching visor.
Obviously, that stands out at games of other teams.
Lately, Marlins Man — who I don’t care enough about to look up his actual name — has made Kansas City a frequent stop, starting with last year’s World Series. He was there on Sunday night, sitting to Maxwell’s left. He also uses social media and noticed the trend and decided to snap a selfie with her.
The tweet with that picture generated even more buzz.
Whether she wanted the fame or not, Maxwell ended up identified multiple places.
A known Royals fan, Maxwell often goes to games but never received this kind of attention. She could probably go back a thousand more times and not end up such a prominent part of a national broadcast.
***
In other lighthearted non-news, I’ve found myself in a parenting minority lately.
Weirdly, I’m really eager for my son, soon to turn two, to learn how to properly use, “Yes,” and, “No.” That boy will say yes to anything — literally.
“Cale, do you want to play outside?”
“Yes.”
“Cale, do you want to play inside?”
“Yes.”
“Cale, do you want pancakes for breakfast?”
“Yes.”
“Cale, do you want beef jerky and Skittles for breakfast?”
“Yes.”
It’s maddening. I know a lot of parents struggle with their child telling them no to everything. I’d give anything right now to hear my son say no to anything.
Trying to decipher his intentions leaves me exasperated some days. I’m sure I’ll regret this stance at some point, but for now, I just want honest answers from a 2-year-old.
Is that too much to ask?
(It’s probably too much to ask.)
***
What else can I take up with your time this week that isn’t really important ...
Oh. Lock your cars. There has been a recent string of burglaries in the Platte City area from unlocked cars. We wrote about it last week.
But now I’m telling you this because our own intrepid reporter, Bryce Mereness, ended up affected this week. Not in Platte City, mind you, but the lesson still stands.
Bryce, my young naive friend who apparently is too trusting of people, often leaves his car unlocked — sometimes with his work equipment inside. In plain sight. Like a dingus.
Then his camera ended up stolen this past weekend.
Not good considering he had been using that camera to take pictures for this fine publication you are currently reading. This led to a stressful Monday for all involved, especially Bryce, who hopefully will start locking his car door or at least removing the valuable items when he gets home.
I learned these lessons long ago when thieves stole my 1986 Mercury Cougar back in 2001 — twice. The first time from the parking lot Leo’s Country Mart and then again somewhere else before it ended up in Kansas City, Kan. near the Go-Chicken-Go with a screwdriver in the steering column.
So why am I telling you this?
Well, this issue doesn’t have pictures from the Platte City Steam Engine Show like it should. The pictures were stolen. In Bryce’s camera.
Sigh.
Ross Martin is publisher of The Citizen. He may be reached via email at editor@plattecountycitizen.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Citizen_Ross.