Walking toward Franklin Rogers Park for a Mankato MoonDogs baseball game, the scents of popcorn, beer and brats mingle in the air, mixing nicely with the familiar smell of freshly mown grass to create a special blend of summertime perfume.

The warmth of the sun beats down, giving the last part of the day a golden glow.

Entering the stadium, the sound of the crowd gathered to watch the MoonDogs rises and falls along with the familiar rhythm of an organ tapping out ball game classics. Children dash about, their small bodies jostling against each other as they simultaneously play and watch the game from the green wooden bleachers.

The MoonDog’s mascot roams through the crowd, a 7-foot-tall dog named Muttnik with floppy ears and faux fur. The children follow him as he walks, giggling with delight when he turns around and offers a friendly paw.

Every age group seems to be represented at the game, from babies asleep in strollers to seniors watching the game intently. In between, there are plenty of young people, their skin smooth and tan, their faces unlined. The common physical denominators among the fans are relaxed smiles and a look in their eyes that tells everyone that they are happy to be at a ball game, happy to be cheering for the local team.

Happiness is the theme at the MoonDogs. The people sitting on the bleachers are there because they want to be, a fact that creates a rare cohesiveness, a general air of satisfaction that includes everyone at the ballpark. The fans have left behind everyday worries to indulge in the dual pleasures of baseball and junk food. A man walks carefully through the stands, holding a small cardboard tray containing two hot dogs with the works, a look of pure, unadulterated joy on his face.

Food is a big part of the pleasure factor at a ball game. Hot dogs, brats, popcorn, soda and ice cold beer. Children eat ice cream and candy without anyone saying a word about ruining their appetites. For a few short hours, no one worries about ruining anything.

The crowd is dressed for comfort. Sleeveless T-shirts, shorts, sandals. Hair is pinned up, baseball caps abound. People swap recipes and gossip as they watch the game. Friends greet each other with pleased cries. There is constant action in the small stadium, both on the field and off as people get up and walk down from their seats to get something to eat or chase a toddler.

Johnny Cash sings “Ring of Fire” over the PA system. The announcer tells the name of the next batter in a voice as mellow and as comforting as a warm bath. A MoonDog player hits a single. The crowd roars. The next hitter strikes out but there are no boos, no rude comments from the spectators.

“He’ll do better next time,” one fan says to another. But even if he doesn’t, that is all right. The fans are there because they love the game and they love their MoonDogs. Johnny Cash finishes and is followed by the theme from “Sponge Bob Square Pants” to the delight of the children in the stands.

It is time for a stretch between innings. The crowd gets to its collective feet and sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” a rousing, heartfelt rendition that sounds especially lovely as it floats through the summer air. Listening, it’s easy to remember how very good it is to live here, how lucky this group is to be able to sit down and enjoy something as old fashioned and as timeless as baseball. How lucky to be in Mankato on a warm summer day.

A few more innings and the game ends. Filing out of the stadium with the rest of the crowd, snippets of conversation fly back and forth like fireflies. Plans are made to go swimming, to have a cook out, go on a bike ride. People slowly head for their cars and their lives, calling good-byes over their shoulders. The air is still filled with a golden light. For a little while, it’s easy to believe that summer will never end.