Ballpark #6

Oriole Park at Camden Yards was our favorite of the East Coast trip. It might have been how comfortable we were in orange and black or the fact that it was first of the “retro” ballparks. Lets say the granddad of AT&T Park.

We saw the Orioles vs Royals on Friday, May 25th 2012. 2012 was also the 20th anniversary of the ballpark. We arrive over two hours early and they had Eutlaw Street open with shops and restaurants in the historic B&O warehouse building. We tried out the new Dempseys Brew Pub & Restaurant, co-owned by Rick Dempsey, former MVP Oriole and broadcaster. Then we went straight to the legendary Boog’s Barbeque and Boog Powell was there himself. Delicious BBQ…Baltimore is all about their pit beef. We watched batting practice and walked around the concourse.

Now for the part my husband was waiting for, the National Anthem. We saw a preview of this tradition when they played the Nationals a couple days earlier. Baltimore fans are known for replacing "oh say" with "O!" during the National Anthem. Highly controversial, but it was fun to be apart of. Video

The game was fantastic and the fans had so much spirit. It wasn’t a sold out game, but was well represented. The fans were synchronized in their cheers and traditions. Adam Jones was a beast and ended up winning the game.

The Oriole Bird Mascot was seriously one of the best. He was spirited and got the crowd into it. He would distract the pitchers and bring fans on top of the dugout to dance.

So glad they are reintroducing the comedic oriole bird’s head as their official logo. It hasn’t been used by the Orioles organization since 1988. Inspiring fans and players and this video “Put a Bird on It”

Also, anyone visiting Camden Yards should go to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Simply follow the painted baseballs on the pavement. Defiantly worth seeing memorabilia and the actual room Babe Ruth was born in.

Video of Camden Yards