Unique Attractions

Every Major and Minor league baseball stadium has its own flavor and unique attractions. Many teams go with ideas from their nickname (i.e. the Brewers, Marlins, etc.) and come up with good mascots and “themes” to attract fans. What I find very interesting is how some teams get their names from other connections that they have with the city it is based in. For instance, the San Diego Padres, also nicknamed the Friars by their loyal fans, is named this because of the amount of missions and Hispanic influence in the region from history. The Milwaukee Brewers are named this because of the Miller Brewing Company and other beer companies that are based in the area. Their stadium is even named Miller Park. The Minnesota Twins are named this because of the “twin cities” and the team is based out Minneapolis and St. Paul. Back in the old days both Minneapolis and St. Paul had separate teams but they came together to form the Twins. Throughout all sports I always found it very interesting how teams got their names.

The other great thing about baseball stadiums is the entertainment. Some teams have started getting “cheerleaders” that stand on the dugout in between innings and dance around to the songs playing over the PA system. They really don’t do anything but they look good doing it. The Braves Squaws, Diamondbacks Rally-backs, and Marlins Mermaids are just some examples of the new trend of baseball cheerleaders.

A Braves Squaw tries to rally the crowd swinging her towel over her head.

The Marlins Mermaid, the like one shown above, have a more traditional cheerleader look

There are also different attractions that are specific to each team’s ballpark. For instance, the Brewers have Bernie’s Dugout.   This little dugout up above the left field seats are where their mascot, Bernie Brewer, hangs out and even has a slide to go down when a Brewer hits a home run.

Bernie's Dugout slide

At Miller Park they also have the famous Sausage Race where contestants dress up in five big, foam sausage costumes and run around the stadium to the finish line and fans try to pick who will win. Now other teams have seen its success and tried to replicate it. The Washington Nationals have the Presidents Race where costumes of the four presidents on Mount Rushmore race on the field and the Braves have the Home Depot tool race where a hammer, saw, paint brush, and paint can race. All of this is determined by different sponsors but the Brewers were the originators and it’s a classic.

The Sausage racers at Miller Park in Milwaukee

Another attraction would be kayaking in San Francisco Bay behind AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. During the home-run derby there a few years ago the bay was full of kayaks and fans trying to catch home run balls that easily flew out of the park and into the water. Be wary though, that water is very cold.

McCovey Cove as it is called for former player Willie McCovey is packed during the home run derby

At Wrigley Field, if you can’t make it into the actual stadium, try rooftops seats. Many apartment buildings right outside of Wrigley Field are tall enough and close enough to the ballpark that sitting on top of the roof is just as good as an outfield seat in the actual stadium. Recently, many buildings have built actual bleachers on the roofs and sell tickets to every game.

Rooftops seats at Wrigley Field

Another tradition is walking down Yawkey Way in Boston right outside of historic Fenway Park. There are vendors selling programs, food, and merchandise plus a slew of fans preparing to go in the gate. In the summer months of baseball it is like a street festival every home game day and people often wonder if Bostonians even go to work.

Yawkey Way outside of Fenway Park at game time

If you are in the southern California area, stop by Petco Park in downtown San Diego. Since they are sponsored by a pet store they often have games where you can bring your dog to the game. Also, the stadium is unique in that is has an actual building built into the ballpark and the corner of the building (a Western Metal Supply Company building that is still in function) serves as the left field foul pole.

The Western Metal Supply Company building stands right in the stadium and seats are on the balconies for fans to enjoy the game from

Families visiting Petco Park can let their kids play in the  sand pit just over the right field fence and the bleachers are right there for the parents to sit and watch the game too.

The sand pit in the outfield of Petco Park in San Diego

There are attractions at every ballpark, from fireworks to pre-game and in-game festivities. You will just have to get out there and check them all out yourself.

I Need Tickets: Best Value

A common sight at any sporting event: scalpers searching for extra tickets to resell

Going to sporting events is expensive, there is no debating that. However, every team in every sport has specials and deals that if you figure them out, you can save some money and go more often. So if you are like me and too poor to afford those season tickets you dream about, here are some tips to still making it to a lot of games.

First off, check your favorite team’s website and look for promotions and ticket sales early. Many times the box office at the stadium offers discounts for buying tickets in advance. Also, sometimes teams have affiliations with sponsors for ticket specials. Many times insurance companies or certain grocery stores that sponsor the team have deals with the team to get buy-one-get-one half off or free deals certain nights. These are the best value times to go. Watch out for scalpers outside the stadium though. Sometimes you can nab a really good deal from them but be very careful it is the correct ticket for that day and you aren’t getting ripped off. If you are looking to buy a ticket outside the stadium, walk around asking for prices from several people and maybe find someone who is just selling an extra but going to the game themselves. Also, after the first pitch, tickets these people are selling with fall dramatically. So if you are willing to miss the top of the first inning, you might find a good deal but still be cautious.

Also, remember that you don’t always have to sit right behind home plate. While it is ideal to have good seats, sometimes if you just want to get in the gate without sacrificing an arm or a leg then you can sit in the outfield or upper decks for next to nothing. Like I said before, shop for tickets early, but often times teams have designated sections where they reduce the price of tickets on the day of the game in order that they may sell more tickets. All you have to do is spend a little time poking around your team’s website.

A fan shows off their ticket for the Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays game

In comparison to other sports, baseball does really well with ticket sales and overall fan experience. According to ESPN the Magazine’s “Ultimate Standings ’09: Team Rankings” article, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were the number one team in all four major professional sports (MLB; baseball, NFL; football, NBA; basketball, and NHL; hockey). The compilers of all these team statistics used different criteria like fan attendance, promotions, fan ratings, ticket prices, and other factors. The Angels were number one in overall value, fan experience, and happiness. Most baseball teams did very well against the other sports teams in general.

Look Like the Pros

Okay, so maybe you got cut from your high school baseball team junior year. It’s okay, you have turned out alright. Being a baseball fan though allows you to wear exactly what the pros wear if you are willing to pay the price. The convenience of online shopping through places like the official shop of the MLB (shop.mlb.com), going to the team store at the stadium or some other supplier, guarantees you the ability to find what you want.

Probably the most popular attraction of Major League Baseball is the authentic caps. Baseball hats are the envy of every other sport and that is mostly due to the company, New Era, dominating production. They are the official authentic game hat of Major League Baseball and one of your favorite team’s can be yours at any hat or sporting goods store for just $33. With all 32 teams, there are plenty of options to choose from and most teams have at least two hats to choose from. Some teams even have four hats they switch up wearing during the season depending on certain games. These hats are even becoming popular among everyday people who might not even care about baseball or keep up with it. These hats are now fashionable and are either seen wore the standard way, forward with a slightly curved, broken in bill or around backwards.

An authentic New York Yankees game hat

As far as apparel goes there are boocoodles of options for fans. If you really want to step up your game, splurge for an authentic or replica jersey to look like a player. Majestic is the brand that equips the players uniforms on the field so look for that tag in the stores for genuine purchases. Nike also makes some good t-shirts and other apparel products that satisfy many fans. The whole family, women, kids, even toddlers and infants can get outfitted in team gear to show the support of the team. They even have bracelets and other small accessories like iPod and phone cases people can buy to further their faithfulness. (http://www.wearthegame.com/)

This Pittsburgh Pirates Gamewear bracelet is a sample of the kind of craze that is reaching baseball fans

So whether you are just a casual fan wanting to get a few things to show off your support at the game and around outside the stadium or a die-hard wanting to look just like the players, team shops will have it all for you.

Big Ticket Experience

The dream of many kids growing up is to make that big shot at the buzzer to win the championship or the game-winning walk-off hit to win the World Series. The truth is 99.9% of us will never actually get to experience this in real life (I’ve dreamed it a couple of times though). However, you might get a chance to witness this if you are willing to pay a small price..actually an absurd price, but that is another issue.

Pre-game festivities and patriotic presentations at the 2009 All-Star game in St. Louis

The World Series is a best of seven games series that determines the world champions for that year. It is a huge deal and the “hunt for October” begins at the beginning of the season in April. Even if “your team” is not in the World Series, the level of baseball played and the intensity of the playoffs is enough to enjoy it thoroughly.

What could possibly be more fun that the World Series? Try the All-Star game and all the festivities that go along with it every July. Each year a different Major League city gets to host the All-Star game and weekend’s activities. It flip-flops back and forth every year from National League to American League teams. This year it will be held at Angel Stadium in Los Angeles, home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. There are many fun activities baseball fans can catch with the All-Star game. There is the futures game on Friday where up-and-coming minor league players square off on the field as a kind of All-Star game of their own. Then there is the celebrity softball game on the same field, with the fences much shorter of course. The teams are composed of former players and hall of famers, movie and television stars, and sports stars from other sports. Past participants have been the likes of Jimmy Fallon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Dave Winfield, Rolly Fingers, Kelly Ripa, and Ellen DeGeneres. It is always really funny to watch this event. On Saturday there is the fan-frenzied home run derby where 8 sluggers compete to hit the most home-runs. This is just a show for the fans but they pay big money for seats to this sold out event.

Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers tees off on a ball during the 2008 home run derby in Yankee Stadium. He set the record for most home-runs in a round and had a great comeback story

Then finally on Sunday the All-Star game itself is played and representatives from all the teams that were voted on and chosen by fans and writers play in the game. The great thing about the All-Star game is that it really matters because the league that wins gets home field advantage in the World Series.

So if you are willing to fork out some dough, you are guaranteed a good show at any of these All-Star weekend events, and of course the playoffs and World Series.

Spring Getaway

Need a getaway from all your spring cleaning? Well as a baseball fan, take a visit to the Grapefruit or Cactus Leagues from late February through March. The Grapefruit League is composed of the Major League teams that spring train across Florida and they play just about every day in cities like Fort Myers, Clearwater, Jupiter, Tampa, and Orlando. You can plan an incredible family vacation around spring training like so many families already do. If you are lucky and have family in the area then you can just bunk with them too.

The nice thing about spring training is that you get to see all of different teams play because a new team plays every day and there are no such thing as a three or four game series. Plus, when your team is out of town for a couple of days you can spend some time with the family, maybe enjoy the nearest theme park like Disney or Busch Gardens or hit the beach for a day or two maybe and get your tan on.

Even over one-hundred million dollar paid players like Alex Rodriguez are within arms reach at spring training.

Spring training is nice too because the games are played during the day, usually a 1pm or 3pm first pitch, so you can enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. Also, the players are a lot more relaxed and sign autographs before and after the games. It is a great opportunity to get some signatures. Everyone from big name players that makes many millions of dollars to managers and coaches that may have been stars of the past, autographs will be a plenty. You will just have to push your way to the players through all the crowds and it is quite a frenzy. Lastly, the teams play in minor league, many times Single A, ballparks so there is only seating for about 8,000 or so and the intimacy of being that close to these big league ballplayers is pretty awesome.

Former player and manager of the New York Yankees turned manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers signs some baseball for fans at a spring training game

So contact a travel agent or be your own and go check out some spring baseball one year.

Where Were You When…

Do you have specific memories of when and where you were at the time of the 1980 Winter Olympics when the USA beat the Russians? What about when Hank Aaron hit his record breaking 715th career home run to pass Babe Ruth? Would you not want to witness a feat like this in person? It truly is just being at the right place at the right time. But going to as many games as possible will give you a better chance at insuring a success for this post.

1974: Hank Aaron hits career home run number 715 to break Babe Ruth's record

There are several things in the game of baseball that are just legendary. There are no-hitters, record breaking home runs, perfect games, hitting for the cycle, and many other feats. A no-hitter for example, is pure luck to happen and be at the game. It just happens so randomly when a pitcher brings some of his best stuff ever and the other team’s bats are just silenced all game. In the 2010 season there has already been a no-hitter in the first month. When a player hits for the cycle (achieving a single, double, triple, and home run all in one game) it is exciting because that also does not happen very often either.

Just keep enjoying going to the games and I’m sure that you will witness some kind of historic feat in your time at the ballpark.

Baseball Nerd

Are you one of those people who just can’t get enough baseball? I mean the season is 162 games long but only lasts from April-October. Then you have to suffer through the off-season trying to stay occupied with the NFL, NBA, and college football and basketball. Now while I love all of these because I am a huge sports fan in general, none compare to baseball. There are some people who have heard our cries for help and devoted television networks and other services for our enjoyment year around.

The MLB Network is a television channel that devotes 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to the game of baseball. They talk about up and coming prospects, critique the play of teams, show highlights from the season or a current game if in-season, and more analysis than you can handle. When the season does roll around you can purchase packages through your satellite or cable provider that allow you to watch all 32 team’s games every night. It is awesome, especially if you don’t live near where your favorite team plays.

An advertisement for MLB Extra Innings

On ESPN every night they have a show called “Baseball Tonight” and it features former players and managers (Steve Burthiaume, Dave Winfield, Buster Olney) on the set talking about what happened in baseball that day and recapping the highlights. My favorite segment of the show is when they have “Touch ‘Em All”. This is when they show every home run from the day. The other great part is “Web Gems” which displays the five best defensive plays in the field for the day and usually they are awesome home run robbing catches over the wall or diving catches.

Lastly, if you really want to be so involved in baseball that it will drive you and your family crazy, play fantasy baseball. Over the last five years fantasy sports have exploded online and are popular among groups of friends or coworkers in the office for some fun. While the draft parties are a lot of fun and all, the fantasy baseball season is grueling. You have to remember to look at your lineup every day to make sure your players are playing that day and no one is injured. It can be quite a chore but it is a fun way to get in touch with the game. There are even magazines like Sporting News and Lindy Sports that have issues solely about fantasy baseball and who to pick in your draft.

Sporting News' 2009 edition of the Fantasy Baseball breakdown

So embrace your inner nerd, invite your friends, and head to Yahoo! Sports, ESPN.com, or any other sports website to sign up and play for free.

Different Sound, Same Game

Many of us love the game of baseball in all respects. I’m sure a lot of you grew up playing Little League baseball or pick up baseball in your neighborhood. Those were the best times and produce a lot of great memories and stories to pass down. This post deals with baseball in a respect that might not get as much attention in the media or be as “popular” as Major League baseball.

College baseball might not be considered a “major sport” too some people, universities or colleges. However, to others baseball might be as important as basketball or nearly football. The great thing about college baseball is that the players are students, working to graduate and move on to a job in the world, while also playing the game they love so much. The dedication of the players can be seen in every game as they try to beat out an infield hit or lay out for a ball in center field. The passion is definitely there.

An LSU batter gives this ball a jolt

What is fun and different about the college baseball scene is that the stadiums are usually not too big. The biggest college baseball parks are about 7,000 seats and fairly simple but quaint in their own way on campus. Another fun thing about college baseball is the students. At most schools the students can get into the games for free by just showing their college ID and a lot of times there are good crowds of students at the games. Some students are there every game cheering and some schools have an unofficial group of students that sit or stand at the games and heckle to opposing team to no end. Mostly they are clean and not just shouting profanities but they somehow find information on the other team’s players and just talk at the players the whole game.

Dick Howser Stadium, home field of the Florida State Seminoles baseball team

Unlike Major League baseball or even the minor leagues, you can really be close to the game at a college ball park. Without much to do with music, PA announcements, and other stuff you could be distracted by at a Major League game, you can hear the players talking to each other on the field and the coaches talking to their players from the dugout. One thing that many people like about college baseball is the use of the aluminum bat. The “ping” sound of a baseball ringing off the sweet-spot of an aluminum bat is incredible. It can be heard clear across campus sometimes and it just adds to the game. The crack of a wood bat in the minor or major leagues is definitely intriguing too.

So no matter where you live there is most likely a college or university close by with a baseball program. The tickets for these games are usually just a few dollars and are often a first come, first serve general admission seating system. Who knows, you might see some guys playing that will get drafted and go pro before too long too. Be ready for the post season too as the teams play in the NCAA Division 1 Regionals, Super Regionals, then go to Omaha, Nebraska for the College World Series. This is has been the home of the College World Series for a long time and dedicated fans travel from all over the country to come support their team during the summer in the tournament.

The statue of celebrating the winning of a national championship outside historic Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska

Major Fun at a Minor Price

Maybe you are an avid baseball fan but do not live close enough to a city with a Major League team. That is a major bummer (no pun intended) but most people in the United States would fall under this category. Most people wouldn’t want to drive more than an hour to see a baseball game on a regular basis. If you actually want to be at a game instead of just watching them on DirectTV’s MLB Season Ticket package then look for the closest minor league baseball team. The “farm system”, as it is often referred to, is divided in three levels: “Single A” (A), “Double A” (AA), and “Triple A” (AAA). These are affiliated with Minor League Baseball which is a part of Major League Baseball. Each Major League Baseball club is assigned one team from each of the minor league levels and the teams use this system to strengthen young players and prepare them for the big leagues.

Since there are three levels of the minor leagues and one of each for every team, there are a lot more teams scattered around the country. This helps spread baseball to some of the regions that are without a major league team nearby. Minor league baseball allows fans to see up and coming new players from right out of high school or college. Often times these players are not getting paid a lot and travel by bus from city to city. Therefore, these kids love playing the game and give it their all, which is nice to see. The minor leagues also give fans an opportunity to be so close to the players. They are usually more receptive to fans and signing autographs. That autograph is really awesome to have when they go to the big leagues and make a name for themselves. Another great thing about the minor league baseball games is the in-game entertainment. They often have entertainment in between innings where fans are chosen prior to the game to participate in some silly game that makes the crowd laugh. From dizzy bat races to catching rubber chickens in a fishing net they will surprise you with it all.

Maybe the best part of the minor leagues is the cheap ticket prices. For the most part, you can walk up to the box office at the stadium the day of the game and buy a ticket just about anywhere in the stands. Most of the times the tickets are just $8 or $12, and you are right there in the action. If you paid that much for a ticket to a Major League game you might not even make it in the gate or if so you would be up in the clouds. So you can pay way less and get just as much baseball entertainment. With a fairly small market, Minor League baseball teams try any kind of promotion to get fans out to watch the game. This doesn’t mean that every game is not lacking fans though. Many minor league teams attract thousands of fans on a regular basis. Still, many of the ballparks offer exciting and interesting architectural attractions. From lawn seats where you can just throw down a blanket on a grassy knoll and watch the game to field level “fan dugout” seats, the feeling of Minor League baseball is so intimate.

The Tiki Seats at the home of the Clearwater Threshers and spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies offers a fun setting to watch a ball game

Besides the MiLB (Minor League Baseball) official leagues and teams there are plenty of other independent leagues for semi-pro, amateur, and summer college baseball. For instance there is the Coastal Plain League that has teams composed of college baseball players from across the nation in the summer that compete against other teams like this across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Get out there and get some value for your ticket money at a Minor League game!

True Fan

This post is about what it means to be a true fan. This applies not only to baseball but to all sports and cheering in general.

First off, true fans are not “fair-weather”. This means you cannot say you dislike your team this year because they are bad but then jump back on the bandwagon after you get that ace pitcher next year and win the division. That is pretty weak. Love the game and love your team no matter what. Every team has gone through hardships, some longer than others. Look at the Cubs for instance. They haven’t won the World Series since 1906 and have the worst luck late in the season and in the playoffs when they often collapse. However, they might have the most loyal and dedicated fans in baseball and there are Cubs fans across the nation.

Also, as a fan you need to be a good sport. Sure there are times when you want to boo the umpires after he calls the batter out on a close pitch or the other team’s runner safe at first on a bang-bang play. But give them credit, they are human too and will make mistakes. Their job is being consistently scrutinized so give them a break every once in a while. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should NEVER boo your own team or players. That is low and even if you are displeased that is not a way to show your love for the team, whether you love them at that point or not. Another pet peeve of true fans is when people leave the game early. If your team is up 8 runs in the 7th inning and you decide to head home and try to get to bed early tonight you are lame. What is even more lame is when you team is down those 8 runs and you give up and leave. Crazy combacks have happened in baseball and that is why you watch. You would be pretty upset at yourself if the team came back and hit a walk-off grand slam to win the game and you missed it.

Lastly, as a baseball fan you don’t have to be Mr. Know-It-All. Maybe you think you know all the rules, technicalities and how all the strange situations work and how to explain them. Please refrain. It sounds obnoxious and most people don’t really care. You can be friendly and share some information if they directly ask you a question but it is generally not a good idea to just join their overheard conversation with your knowledge. And as a fan, be considerate. Watch your language in the stands because there are families and young kids there. You wouldn’t want to get asked to leave the park because of some offensive language. I mean, if you are looking to get thrown out at least run across the field or something more memorable.

This Mets fan gets an early exit from the game for his conduct in the stands