Featured Blog Posts – June 2010 Archive (17)

Community Field - Burlington

I'm visiting the 8 teams in the Midwest League that I didn't visit last year for my work project, "Ballparks of the Midwest." Season 2, Part 1, is Community Field in Burlington.…

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Added by Matt Nelson (35) on June 30, 2010 at 3:01pm — 4 Comments

SF GIANTS-AT@T PARK, OAKLAND A'S--MCAFEE COLISEUM CHASER GUIDES

I am not trying to re-break my own record no, this is the start of posting my guides to visiting all 30 major league ballparks, I will post 30 stadiums in 23 days. I am going to save some of the nuances and traditions for the actual story portion of the book. This is an informational guide for those who wish to watch a game-and have all the information to do it.

AT@T PARK

BALLPARK RANK(DONE BY 10 FELLOW BALLPARK CHASERS WHO HAVE CURRENTLY SEEN ALL MAJOR LEAGUE… Continue

Added by Chuck Booth (35) ALL 30/23 DAYS! on June 27, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Baseball game odds

ESPN just published these baseball odds. I thought it was pretty interesting.

There is a 1 in 11 chance that a game will go into extra innings.

There is a 1 in 325 chance that if you attend a game you will see a triple play and there is a 1 in 702 chance you will see a batter hit for the cycle.

There is a 1 in 806 chance you will see a no-hitter and a 1 in 2,610 shot that a batter will get six hits in a nine-inning game.

There is a 1 in 10,287 chance… Continue

Added by Jack (6) on June 26, 2010 at 8:52am — 6 Comments

Citizens Bank Park and Rocky!

Philadelphia was our most recent destination, stopping by Citizens Bank Park to watch the Phillies and the Twins do a little interleague battling. The trip was really cheap ($18 roundtrip) because we got a great deal on bus tickets from DC to Philly. We got there a little early and got a chance to go to Independence Hall and to see the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There was a long line of people waiting to take the picture with the bronzed Rocky but it moved very quickly and… Continue

Added by Hansel Rodriguez on June 23, 2010 at 1:13pm — 2 Comments

My Take on Comerica Park and Progressive Field

Been a while since my last update on here, but I did end up getting to my ballparks this year of Texas, Detroit, and Cleveland. I loved Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and rank it high on my list. Now I went to Comerica 6 years ago but a lot has changed with that park and Progressive Field, which I have heard mixed reviews on, even by my friends who went to that park.

I'll start with Comerica Park. I am probably biased since I'm a diehard Tigers fan. But I thought the stadium was… Continue

Added by Tim on June 23, 2010 at 7:30am — 8 Comments

Things to do in Minnesota...

Allright fellow ballpark chasers im planning a trip to Target Field next month and I was wondering besides the Mall of America what are some other things to do. I also enjoy going to the casino so if
you've been to one in the twin cities please let me know where its located. Thanks for your help all!!
James

Added by James Madden (9) on June 22, 2010 at 9:16pm — 5 Comments

Not much left of Tiger Stadium but a flagpole and our memories.

I’ve stood on the field in Tiger Stadium a number of times. Several times were for stories, once was a pre-game clinic with my son and another time was to watch Kiss launch its reunion tour.

And Will and I were last at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull for the stadium’s final game in 1999.

But Saturday afternoon we stood on the field where Ty Cobb and Al Kaline played, and Trammell and Whitaker turned double plays. Gone were the fans… Continue

Added by Dave Murray (33) on June 20, 2010 at 1:00pm — 6 Comments

On Our Way to 24 through 28 (+)

Specifically:

Brewers v. Rockies at Coors Field (24);Sat, June 19-6:10PM;Section 221/Row 5/Seats 5-11

Yankees v. Diamondbacks at Chase Field (25);Wed, June 23-6:40PM;Section 315/Row 11/Seats 17-20

Rockies v. Angels at Angels Stadium (26);Fri, June 25-7:05PM;Section 260/Row K/Seats 12-14

Pirates v. Athletics at Oakland Coliseum (27);Sat, June 26-7:10PM;Section 214/Row 4/Seats 3-5

Tigers v. Twins at Target Field (28);Mon, June 28-7:10PM;… Continue

Added by Scott Bell (30/42) on June 18, 2010 at 4:07pm — 2 Comments

Miller Park

Just returned from our trip to Milwaukee and all I can say is "wow." My husband and I were instantly impressed with the Brewer fan base. The tailgating was incredible - and unlike anything I'd ever seen at a baseball game. We were wondering if folks do that 80 times a summer....

We walked over to the Sausage Haus, which is across the freeway from Miller Park, just to check out all the tailgating and listen to a band that was playing. When we got there we soon realized that you needed… Continue

Added by Nema Brewer-Candy on June 16, 2010 at 11:36am — 4 Comments

Rickwood Classic

If you ever have a chance to go to Birmingham, Alabama, for the Rickwood Classic at "America's Oldest Baseball Park," don't pass it up, it is well worth the trip!!!

The 12 hour drive back to Iowa seemed like nothing last week after watching the Smokies and Barons battle to extra innings in 15th Classic, marking 100 years for the ballpark.…

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Added by Matt Nelson (35) on June 10, 2010 at 9:57pm — 1 Comment

Camden Yards and the Strasbug debut.

We went to Camden Yards on Sunday and had a great time. The park is located in the middle of downtown Baltimore so the areas around it are really nice. There are plenty of bars and food options outside the park at very good price and the Orioles are really good about letting you bring food to the park. Once we got inside, the park was packed with Red Sox fans. It gave me flashbacks of when the Red Sox came to Nationals Park and the place sounded like Fenway Park, more on that later.…

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Added by Hansel Rodriguez on June 9, 2010 at 7:38am — 3 Comments

SAMPLE OF WHAT MY BALLPARK CHASER GUIDE NOVEL WILL BE ABOUT

Here are some ballpark chaser trips to consider when going on a lengthy trip.

CAR RENTALS:

The best way to ensure that you have money left available on your credit card, (keeping in mind that most rental places take a $200 minimum deposit), is to bid on your car through www.priceline .com. There is a feature where you can bid on your car rental for specific airport locations called ‘BID NOW.” You can offer a price that you have to pay immediately but… Continue

Added by Chuck Booth (35) ALL 30/23 DAYS! on June 7, 2010 at 5:58pm — 4 Comments

Been There, Inc! Certificate and a little bummed....

I'm a little bummed as I had hoped to get to Washington today to meet up with Bob but I just couldn't get it all worked out afterall. I have so much that has to be done for a deadline and just can't get away. But my heart is there today. (2 1/2 hours 'til game time and I'm tempted to get in the car and go anyway! I'd just look for a Cubs jersey and probably find him. I'm sure it won't be that crowded as there is rain forecast.) For Bob's sake, let's hope the game is played today. Sorry I'm… Continue

Added by Sharon (25 Parks) on June 6, 2010 at 8:34am — No Comments

DODGER STADIUM 1ST GAME OF THE YEAR/RIP JOSE LIMA

While I am not going on any record chase this year, I feel happy to start off the year by going to a game at DODGER STADIUM last weekend (May.24). I was surprised when I arrived at game time that traffic actually wasn't bad and that the day was cold . I was also sad to hear that JOSE LIMA had passed--he was one of my favorite people in baseball to listen to. I heard him interviewed on JIM ROME's show many times before and it was always awesome---it was always 'LIMA TIME---BELIEVE IT!!!" It was… Continue

Added by Chuck Booth (35) ALL 30/23 DAYS! on June 4, 2010 at 8:35pm — 1 Comment

Cookie Cutter Stadiums

I saw games in the Vet, 3 Rivers, River Front and St Louis in the 70,s 80,s, except for the arches in S.L. they where almost indistinguishable. Multi-purpose, they where better for football than baseball, the Vet carpet was the worst, took 3 years off Mike Schmidt,s career.

Also saw games in the old Yankee stadium and Shibe Park in Philly, now those where parks.

There was something about the smell of the old parks, beer, peanuts, cigars "old", they smelled old, it was great !… Continue

Added by Irv Lammie on June 4, 2010 at 6:25pm — 8 Comments

Milestones I have seen

In the past twelve months, I have been/will be in attendance for:
-Mark Buerhle's perfect game
-Jason Heyward's debut
-Tommy Hanson's debut
-Steven Strasburg's debut

I've only been to approximately 15 games over that time span. Some luck, eh? Here's to more of the same!

Added by Wes Boling on June 3, 2010 at 11:34pm — 8 Comments

Toronto and Pittsburgh

I had a great time during the weekend as we made our way to Toronto. It took us close to 12 hours to get there, when you include a stop in Niagara Falls. By the way, that place is amazing and Ashley and I had a great time there. Toronto is an amazing city and after spending a night there, i was ready to pack my bags and move there. The city is so clean and beautiful with tons of tall buildings and the people are really nice, i guess Canadians like to live up to their friendly… Continue

Added by Hansel Rodriguez on June 2, 2010 at 5:40pm — 8 Comments