Baseball Parks--Quirks and Rituals PART 1 (IF you have something to add please let me know about each ballpark.

Since I have begun to write a book on my experiences in chasing down the World Record by going to all the baseball parks, I decided to ask for help in my research. I have been to every ballpark for two years in a row, and am always fascinated by traditions and things each city does at a ballpark. LIke the 7th innins strectch is always sung from the media box at Wrigley..or Sweet Caroline is always played in the bottom of 8th at 'FENWAY'. eVEN TAILGATING parties that i have seen in Oakland, New York, MInnesota and Milwaukee have their own traditions. This can be helped by any chaser in here that has even been to one park. It could be something on field, on the air, outside the ballpark, after or before the game. Fans have their own way of celebrating. If you got something let me know and I will credit you in the book this it what I have found at each ballpark (small sample).

AMERICAN LEAGUE

New York Yankees-Yankee-Stadium. 1.They take roll call for every position player--and it comes from the bleachers once the game starts. Each 9 starting fielders in the TOP of the first gets their name called. The fans chant each of the BALLPLAYERS until they wave their hats back to acknowledge them. 2.Frank Sinatra's "New york, New York" is played at the end of every game in a continous loop. You got the DEREK JETER with rhytmic clapping afterwards 4. They chant HIP-HIP JORGE for Jorge Posada--or thet say his name to the famous chant of soccer---JORGE-JORGE-JORGE-JORGE-JORGE-JORGE. Of course there are the famous calls of John Sterling for each player. 5. "Teixeira sends a TEX MESSAGE TO RIGHT FIELD, oh you are on the 'MARK' teixeira. Of course booing all the opposition is common. 6.Still play "GOD BLESS AMERICA' before "TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME."

Boston Red Sox.FENWAY PARK 1.Play the song Sweet Caroline in the bottom of the eighth. 2. they boo the catcher and pitcher of the opposite team every time they meet at the mound.

Toronto Blue Jays.-Rogers Center 1.They start at the time of 37-or 07 after the hour to accomodate both the Canadian and American anthem. 2.They have a chant in the stands where a guy counts from 10-1 and then everyone screams. not: "some of the worst fans in baseball---they do the wave when they are down 10 runs---do you think they would do the wave in New York or Boston if their team was behind by 10 runs? and they are frontrunners as fans---

Baltimore Orioles-"Oriole Park at Camden Yards" 1.They chant "Oh" really loud at the time of the national anthem when the part says Oh say does that star spangle...."

Tampa Bay Rays. TROPICANA FIELD 1.They play, the "HEY RAYS" song when they win. 2.They post the starting lineups on a scoreboard outside the park whenever they are playing that day. 3. They light up the lights outside the 'TROP' on nights they win so that motorists can tell the home team won. 4. They have cowbells they use in the stands 'for effect'

Chicago White Sox US CELLULAR FIELD 1. Their come out song is "Thunderstruck." 2.They always shoot fireworks after the homeruns. 3.They have an old time song they sing every game, what is it?

Detroit Tigers-COMERICA PARK- 1.They have one of the only names retired instead of numbers with "TY COBB"S' name being displayed but no number ahead of his name.

Kansas City Royals-KAUFFMAN STADIUM. 1.They shoot the water fountains high between innings. 2. One of the only clubs that play western music, this includes a rendition of "I got friends in low places."

Minnesota Twins-Metrodome- 1.TC(Twins Mascot)-hits batting practice with a lucky fan before every game.

Cleveland Indians-Progressive Field. 1.They have the loyal drummer in right field that attends every game. 2. They usually play the song "CLEVELAND ROCKS" at some point in the game. 3. There is always a clip from 'MAJOR LEAGUE' used too.

Seattle Mariners-SAFECO FIELD- 1. There is a train that comes through about every 10 minutes in the background-almost as frequent as planes at CITI FIELD. 2. They were the 'orignaters' of the theme "ZOMBIE NATION" by KernKraft 400.

Oakland A's-MCAFEE COLISEUM. 1.Get there early enough and you are sure to find half the parking lot tailgating. Note: "Worst park to where opposition gear, after all, A's fan is also "RAIDER FAN." 2. I would never suggest public transportation in this area, serious safety concern--pay the excruciating 17 dollars and park outside the stadium for easy access in and out.

Texas Rangers-The Ballpark in Arlington. 1.They play the "Natural" theme song whenever there is a homer hit by the home team. 2."They sing the STARS AT NIGHT SONG" as does the Astros

Los Angeles Angels-ANGELS STADIUM-1.The staff used to wear the 20's usher outfits until recently but they still all wear straw hats like lots of other staffs. 2. They have the waterfall going a lot-and they also have fireworks every time there is a homer hit.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Chicago Cubs-WRIGLEY FIELD--1.7TH INNING STRETCH-made famous by Harry Caray and kept up by guests NOW. 2. They started throwing the 'opposition's' home runs back onto the field 3. They have their own song "GO CUBS GO" which they play after every win. 4. Of course they have the curse of the 'BILLY GOAT' and also have not won a World Series in 101 years

Houston Astros-Minute Maid Park. 1. They have a train that goes from side to side whenever they hit a homer. 2. They play the song "STARS AT NIGHT" 3. They play all their games indoors and only open up the roof when the park is cleared.

Milwaukee Brewers-MILLER PARK 1.They do 2 really cool waves. One is a reverse wave where the goes clockwise all around the ballpark and then change direction.---The other one they do is a slow motion wave which is hilarious. 2. They have the sausage race!!! 3. The sing the song "OVER THE BARRELL" after "TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME". 4. 'BERNIE BREWER' (brewers mascot) goes down the slide in upper left field bleachers-and has recently started throwing t-shirts from there. 5.They giveout fridges who has the best"TAILGATE PARTY. Their staff is the best in baseball as witnessed when they hosted a LA ANGELS-CLEVELAND INDIANS series in the opening week of 2007 when snowstorms hit.