Summer is right around the corner, which means stitchers are heading outside to cook-outs, soccer games, the beach, and of course Stitch And Pitch, 2008.

This is the third year that a national - make that international - Stitch and Pitch event has been planned. If you are unfamiliar with the idea:

Stitch N' Pitch brings together two wonderful traditions — Baseball and the NeedleArts. Come to a ball game and knit, crochet, embroider, cross-stitch and needlepoint. Sit among friends, family and colleagues and cheer on your favorite Baseball Team. Beginners, intermediate and experts are all welcome.

At the moment, 24 Major League teams are committed to hosting a SNP game this year; check the calendar to see if your home team is participating and when the game will be.  Last year, several teams joined the fun later in the season.  It appears to me that the teams not participating are those few stadiums with strong enough ticket sales for all games that they would have trouble reserving a block of 500-1000 tickets for the event.  (sorry, Cubs fans!)

In 2008 one Major Minor addition has been made: Minor League Teams are getting in on the fun!

To whet your appetite for the event, check out Let's Knit 2gether's excellent podcast of last year's Mets game. The podcast includes comments by Debbie Stoller, Lilly Chin (who knit her own baseball uniform! out of wool!) and shows some of the 800 SNP attendees from that night.  There are baseball fans who don't knit, knitter who are baseball fans, and knitters who don't have clue.  This podcast captures the entire atmosphere!

If attending a game isn't in the Cards for you, you can still enjoy some Giant stitching fun:

From Interweave Press:

The Stitch N' Pitch Sock
The Knitted Baseball Cap

CRAFT Stitch N' Pitch Projects:

Small Purse From A Baseball, and a Baseball Card Wallet

Baseball Socks. For the intermediate knitter.

Baseball Beer Bottle Cozy. 

Natalie Zee Drieu's Stitch N' Pitch Drink Cozies which she demonstrated on an Bay Area television program, View from the Bay.

Are you planning to attend? At the moment, I'm aiming for the September A's game. Will the team still be hot?? Anyone want to convince me to travel across the bay to catch the Giants, too? Or even travel further afield for a blogger/baseball/stitching meet up?

Debra Roby blogs her creative life at A Stitch in Time and her mundane life (including occasionally baseball) at Deb's Daily Distractions .