Gnu, what I meant was that I'd heard about the anthem clause WELL before the start of the game, and I live clear on the other side of the continent. As Susan said, some folks may have decided to go to the game and rather than make a political stand. All I am saying is that if you CHOOSE to go, spend your money KNOWING that you are going to be offended, then you deserve what you get. Why complain about it later? Buying a ticket and going to a game knowing you will be upset would, to me, be like paying someone to kick you in the nuts.

Steve, she might not be right all the time, but she's well thought out. That counts for a lot.

Susan, I'm not sure what I'd do in that scenario myself. Guess it depends on the nephew. 9 is old enough to make his own decision about what's important to him. A wonderful auntie would be one who would explain the situation, and possible courses of action ("We'll go and be respectful" "We'll just ignore it" "We'll scalp our tickets and go to the batting cages instead"), and trust the child to act on what he thinks is best. That would be the last thing to ruin his day.

~JE