Travel Notes

Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

Ballparks 1-14

TRAVEL NOTES: Ballparks 15-30...

Ballpark #14-July 25, 2009 (Anaheim, CA)-  Somebody was sure looking over the Angels on this day.  The team won 11-5 against the Minnesota Twins in a game with plenty of excitement.  Angels Stadium definitely has the most artistic  exterior so far. Giant red metal baseball caps greet the fans as they walk up to the entrance with tall palms placed sparingly throughout. Fans seek shade from the California sun under these fantastic structures.  The main entrance to the stadium is embellished with gigantic baseball bats that support the Anaheim Angels sign. The team is currently in mourning after their pitcher, Nick Adenhart  # 34 was killed by a drunk driver and the fans have created  a shrine with baseball items in his honor outside the park (Read More).  The Angels played beautifully, and a sea of red and white fans cheered them on.  But it got even more exciting when a fan ran the field right after the 7^th inning stretch. As the security guards were taking him down and putting the shackles on him, the announcer reminded the fans that running the field is now a federal offense and that the young man faced about three-thousand dollars in fines. Today they were giving out rally monkey coin banks with a paid ticket, so Sofia did not get one. The guys at guest relations handed us a first time visit sticker for her, a calendar and a couple of bang sticks instead.  Angel Stadium is home to the 2010 All Star game and they are already starting to promote it. The facility is over forty years old, but the ballpark has received a great facelift and offers modern ammenities. You can get a tour of the park for a mere $3 for adults and $2 for kids. The original Angels metal sign that once stood in the outfield is still on display in the parking lot and tailgaters like to camp under it for shade. The halo above the “A” lights up when the Angels win. Today it was all a glow.What made this game memorable: Watching the Angels rally a fantastic win.. run after run. Visit the Angels at Angels Stadium>>

Ballpark # 13- July 24, 2009 (Phoenix, AZ)- Chase Park is different. The home of the Diamondbacks, or D-backs (the team underwent re-branding in 2007) sheds its skin...when it wants to. The retractable roof is only one of the amazing  features of this park which makes up for the loss to the Pirates 10-3 at this Friday night  game. In the midst of hot, and I mean hot, weather, this  air-conditioned facility maintains the integrity of the baseball experience inside the park. They were giving away D-Back sun visors for cars, which most child fans ended up wearing or holding up to rally their team. We were impressed to see a variety of restaurants including Friday’s  as well as activities for the kids, but that’s not what they’ve done different- after all, most of these modern parks have great eats. The overall experience of this park was a good one filled with “firsts” for us. As we walked in, they had a booth where Diamondback staff was busy creating signs for the fans, but that was just the beginning. The fans are fond of their team, in fact 24, 911 showed up for this match. Most sported red and black, and rattlesnake tails replace foam fingers to rally the Diamondbacks! The park features a private suite with a pool overlooking the right center-field, which we are told has seen its share of home runs –fun! Virtual hot dog races with kids running in place and the use of captioning on the scoreboard for the hearing impaired was a first.  For the kids, the Sandlot and Baxter’s den provide activities such as batting at Futures Field.  We were disappointed we did not get a picture with Baxter, but meeting the organ player, the Diamondback’s “musical mascot” and getting his autograph picture was definitely unique! At this park, kids get a pin for their first-time visit to the park, which is different from the certificates we’ve collected from other parks (although we do prefer the personalized certificate for Sofia).  Outside the park, it is easy to find cheap parking. Located in Downtown Phoenix, there are plenty of lots close to the park. We got there about an hour before the game and parked for $5 in a public lot a couple of blocks from the ballpark. Outside, giant stone baseballs (which we have seen at other parks) greet the entrance. Red brick and green structural steel best describes the exterior inspired by the Phoenix warehouse district. “Sliders Restaurant” is located right on the premises and many choose to hang out there before and after the game. The park also has  “Value Items” that make the experience affordable . For example  a hot dog for $1.50 and a 12 oz. Pepsi for $1.50 they also offer $5 tickets. It was Fireworks Fridays today and so the stadium retracted. Amazing! It takes approximately four minutes for the roof to completely retract. This was also a first for us.  According to the team, it is similar to the technology used for draw bridges. Interesting fact: On game days, they retract the roof to help the grass grow. Chase Field certainly strives to be different. The Grand Canyon State did not disappoint. We recommend this unique stadium for all it has to offer. What made this game memorable:  Creating a rally sign for Baby Sofia and watching D-back, #27 Mark Reynolds’ amazing catch over the railing.      Visit the Diamondbacks at Chase Field>>

Ballpark # 12- July 17, 2009 (Dallas, TX)- Ok. -Everything really is big in Texas! Cliché, I know, but the Rangers are proud of their park and they are big on their love for the Texas Rangers. Unlike Minute Maid Park in Houston, this ballpark is not covered. The temperature was about 93 degrees (refreshing after you’ve spent some time in 100+ degree Texas weather) but that did not stop the fans from attending the game against the Minnesota Twins. Fans cheer on their team with big foam fingers and big foam hats while eating foot-long hotdogs, (which I could not finish). Capacity of the park is approximately 49,115-, but it still doesn’t feel like a huge stadium, Rangers Ballpark maintains the intimacy of baseball. 34, 662 fans attended this game.We arrived early to meet with local CBS station and got a behind the scenes tour of the park. We were taken through the four-story office building located within the "park-home run porch" in right field. The façade of the park is mostly red brick and granite. Moments in time that have defined Texas are set in white stone murals such as man landing on the moon. Images of the Texas Lone Star and the bull are reflected in the décor throughout the park.  Baseball-shaped fixtures accent the perimeter of the upper concourse. Concrete arches and “ranger green” structural steel add a classic touch to the architecture.CBS reporter Joel Thomas pointed out to us that when a player strikes out the “K” in the Ozarka Water billboard light up. If you keep your eye on the Southwest Airlines billboard you will notice the “S” light up for a strike, and the “O” for an out. Overhead fans were installed to cool off the fans in the lower and upper home run porch. Parking is easy-- there are plenty of lots just a few short steps from the ballpark, which is located in Arlington, TX—(close to a Six Flags water park). The new football stadium for the Cowboys is just a couple of blocks away and the locals affectionately call it “the spaceship” because it looks like one and has the two panels that retract on each side.  Back at the park, “Captain”, a horse, who is the team mascot, kicks off the game entering the park on a pick-up truck waving big Texas flag with an entourage of young cheerleaders. Some parks race hot dogs or presidents, or even pierogies. At this ballpark colorful dots race the field. Interesting spots in the park include the Legends of the Game Baseball Museum and the Coca-Cola Youth Sports Park, which is buzzing with activities to keep the kids entertained and there is a water mist running throughout the game to cool you off.  They had fireworks at the end of the game, but Rangers fans did not have much to celebrate- we were bummed to see the the Rangers lose 5-3 to the Twins- Nevertheless, our trip is about memories, and this park ranks as one of our favorites for overall good experience! -What made this game memorable: When“Captain” the mascot walked around the field greeting fans and took Sofia to pose for a picture with her. Visit the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark>>



Ballpark # 11- July 12, 2009 (Houston, TX)- Minute Maid Park was so much fun!  Located in downtown Houston, the ballpark is the main attraction of that particular area. There is plenty of parking surrounding the venue. We ended up parking for free on the street because it was Sunday. One of four ballparks in the MLB with a retractable roof, Minute Maid did a good job of keeping the fans entertained inside and sheltered from the scorching 103-degree weather outside. The left-field entrance to the park is made of red brick and light green wrought iron which gives it the a classic ballpark feel. They have a nice sitting area with trees and statues of baseball players. Huge baseballs adorn each entry way-but on this day it was just too hot to sit outdoors. As I mentioned in my review for Tropicana Stadium, I like to experience baseball in the open-air, but in this stadium it doesn’t matter. It was built to watch a baseball and it shows. There is plenty of natural light that comes in to make it feel like youare outdoors and the energy inside is fantastic. The park was build adjacent to Union Station. The railroad was important in the history of Houston and the theme is evident at Minute Maid. A 19^th century replica choo choo train carrying a bunch of oranges, runs along 800 feet of track and it goes off every time an Astro hits a home run. Sofia loved it! Team mascot, Junction Jack  was busy visiting different sections in the park and posed for a picture with Sofia. The seventh inning stretch included a rendition of "God Bless America", "Take me out to the ball game" and of course, "Deep in the Heart of Texas" l-There were lots of families there who braved the heat to get to the game against the Nationals.The turnout was great for this game in which the Astros beat the Nationals 5-0. Nats coach Manny Acta got fired that evening. What made this game memorable: Attending our first retractable roof stadium and the cool locomotive! >Visit the Astros at Minute Maid Park

GAME #10- July 4, 2009 (Miami, FL)- The Marlins desperately need a BASEBALL stadium. My home team did a fantastic job this 4th of July of delivering a win 5-3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.Read more.. An early afternoon storm finally blew over just in time for the 6:10 pm game. A sea of fans wearing patriotic red, white and blue, Marlins caps given out today cheered on the team to a tie for first place in the National League East. However, the venue fell short of the comforts and family atmosphere of a ballpark. After all, it is designed for football. The seats are huddled close together for a capacity of 75, 540 spectators versus the average seating at a ballpark of 38-thousand. The stadium which opened back in 1987, as Joe Robbie Stadium, has since reinvented itself quite a few times. Its also been dubbed Pro Player, Dolphin Stadium and more recently Land Shark Stadium after the lager partially owned by singer Jimmy Buffet. I will say the park is trying to make frozen lemonade out of lemons by providing entertainment during the game, like the all-male dance team the Manatees, the first in MLB. These burly guys put on quite a show with their provocative dance moves. The fans love them. They perform Opening Day, Fridays and Saturdays. Billy the Marlin was also milling around messing with the fans, what a crazy fish! The team is also giving away cash in light of a wicked economy, especially in South Florida. One woman won $2,500 to pay her mortgage. We headed to community relations to see about a first time visit certificate, but found yet another park who has not caught on to the idea. However, they were nice enough to offer to mail one out to Sofia and thought it was a great idea for them to implement. This summer they are providing concerts every Saturday with the hopes of boosting attendance to the games. KC and the Sunshine Band was the headline act for the 4th of July. Disco tunes and fireworks lit up the South Florida sky. After a long battle with the city and county, the new stadium groundbreaking is slated for July 18 and the stadium should be completed by 2012. You can watch the progress via webcam. In the meantime, lets supports The Marlins no matter where they play. I am hopeful that once my team gets a stadium all its own, they will be able to boast a great venue like many other teams we have visited on our journey! Go Marlins! What made this game memorable: Coming back home to watch our Marlins win. Fun with family on the 4th, and stadium stop #10- Just 20 more to go!

>Visit the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium

GAME #9- June 26, 2009 (St. Petersburg, FL)- Tropicana Stadium is the most unique ballpark that we have visited thus far. Named after Tropicana orange juice company, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays is a non-retractable dome stadium. The grounds that surround the stadium are very tropical. The walkway is lined with palm trees and the largest ceramic mural in Florida with a mosaic of sea creatures greets you as you walk up to the entrance. Once inside you walk into a rotunda modeled after the old Brooklyn Dodgers Ebbets Field built back in 1913. If you look down there is a painted baseball diamond on the floor which is a good photo-op. To me baseball games equal the outdoors, so it was difficult getting used to the idea of a ball game indoors; but on a day as hot and muggy as this, I was thankful. There are other dome stadiums in the League, but only the Tropicana and the Metrodome [home of the Minneapolis Twins] are non-retractable. The indoors had an underground mall feel to it and the field itself felt more like a concert arena. It is definitely an interesting experience watching the game in a completely enclosed atmosphere. Like other ballparks, Tropicana had concession stands and restaurants inside the park. As you walk inside the corridors, you can find plenty of entertainment for the kids. You can visit the Ted Williams Museum and the Hitters Hall of Fame. They have batting cages, you are welcome to run the bases post-game on Sundays and get a field tour for the kids for $6. But the favorite attraction by far is Rays Tank which harbors cownose rays, located right behind centerfield where you can pet the animals for free and feed them for $4. Interesting fact: If a player hits a home run into the tank, the Aquarium donates $5,000 to charity. On this night, there was a mixed bag of fans, and they were loud! Every stadium has traditions. At Tropicana, the fans cheer on their team by ringing a metal "cow bell". On this night, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Phillies 10-4, so there were a lot of cow bells going off. The roof of the dome is lit orange when the Rays win home games. Any guess why? May have something to do with the Ballparks title sponsor: Tropicana Dole beverages. After the game, we were invited to go on the field. Being there is magnificent. You get a feel for what the players see and hear when they are out there. The place looks bigger from the field. Tropicana is the only MLB ballpark with combination Astro-Turf (fake grass) and all dirt base paths. Back inside, people hang out after the game at Centerfield Street Brewhouse near the entrance where Rich Herrera , the official broadcaster for the Rays Radio Network goes live with this post-game show commentary. Sofia had an opportunity to meet him and he told his listeners about our journey. He also lent her his 2008 Tampa Bay Rays American League Championship ring to play with. We were told that many employees got one. And Sofia posed with a couple of people who had them in the park. As you know by now we like to collect certificates stating Sofia's first visit to each particular park. Tropicana does not provide this yet, Guest Relations says they are working on that for the kids, and handed Sofia a deck of Tampa Bay Rays trading cards instead. If you are a baseball fan, you will appreciate a different way of enjoying the old pastime at Tropicana Field: indoors! What made this game memorable: Meeting some great fans including Nick Hamel, a 14-year old baseball fan who has spina-bifida and is in a wheelchair, but who's positive spirit is contagious! Nick knows most of the ball players in the MLB and will be writing a book soon on his experience with baseball. Be on the lookout for it! >Visit the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field

Game #8- June 23, 2009 (Atlanta, GA)- With temperatures soaring well into the 90's it was hot on and off the field. The Yankees were in town for this one, but were unable to cool down the Braves who shut out the Bronx bombers 4-0. The Majic of Turner Field is inevitable. This ballpark works hard to supply plenty of ways to make the visit a memorable one. A giant billboard of a baseball and red brick adorns the entrance to this grand ballpark. As you walk in you are greeted with classic 1940's music that automatically puts you in the mood to enjoy old American pastime, but they also offer plenty of modern ammenities and fun for kids to enjoy before and after the big game. check out their 101 Things to do at Turner Field. Lets not forget Homer the mascot who made an appearance to greet us at the park. The only thing missing is the "First Visit to the ballpark" certificate. We have been able to get one for Sofia at the Guest Relations Desk at some parks, but Turner Field doesn't have it yet. Thanks to the Braves for donating items for our 30 Ballparks and a Baby Miles for Charity Auction to take place at the end of our tour. All proceeds collected will go to a charity to be determined that benefits girls' sports and education.. More info.... What made this game memorable: Watching the Braves and the Yankees at batting practice and the Braves victory, which now puts Sofia's record of home game wins at 5-3. Thanks Atlanta! >Visit the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field

GAME #7- June 21, 2009 (Cincinnati, OH)- The Great American Ballpark is the first on our second leg of the 30 Ballparks and a Baby tour. Today was very special for us because it was Roberto's first Father's Day and like many other Dads in the park he got to share it with his family enjoying the sport of baseball. The name suits this ballpark well. The atmosphere is definitely baseball. This is not a stadium so big that the field gets lost, it is intimate enough to give you that ballpark feel versus stadium feel. When we got there we went to Guest Relations to pick up a certificate for Sofia for her first visit to the Great American Ballpark. Today was very festive. The park was buzzing with families and fans dressed appropriately to cheer on their REDS. Unfortunately, the REDS lost today's game to the White Sox 4-1. What made this game memorable: Father's Day in the park ofcourse!
>Visit the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark

GAME #6- June 4, 2009 (Pittsburgh, PA) -This is a spectacular park. With the Roberto Clemente bridge and the Pittsburgh skyline as the backdrop, PNC Park is truly an unforgettable venue. Not to mention the food. I discovered the Pierogie and tasted the best hotdog of all stadiums visited so far. What made this game memorable: Meeting other fans, including a family that was on a baseball journey of their own following the Mets, and another fan who serenaded Sofia with a harmonica on the Roberto Clement bridge.
> Visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park

GAME #5- June 1, 2009 (St. Louis, MO)- Busch Stadium is alot of fun. No doubt Cardinals fans love their team! This evening game was packed. The panoramic view of the St. Louis skyline from the stadium is impressive, especially at night. This one is a very modern stadium, but they still have the old scoreboard on display, which is cool. This is home of the All-Star Game this year and you can feel the energy building up-- everything has the All-Star Game insignia on it--Albert Pujols played that evening and gave the fans quite a scare when he slid into second base and hurt himself. Luckily, it wasn't too bad and he continued to play. The Cardinals lost 3-5 to the Reds. What made this game memorable: We had great seats, right behind the visitors dugout on the third-base line.
>Visit the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium

GAME #4- May 31, 2009 (Kansas City, MO)- This was the first game after we decided we would visit all 30 ballparks in one season. Kauffman Stadium is located right next to their football stadium. This newly renovated ballpark with its circular ramps and escalators is very family friendly. I especially love the Kauffman Stadium fountains located in the outfield box seats. It was hot and those fountains looked delicious! Sofia got her picture taken with Sluggerrr, the mascot. Royals fans are true blue fans (pun intended). In spite of the less than spectacular season they have had they have a following. Even during a weekday, Kauffman Stadium had a worthy attendance. Up to this game Sofia had a great record of winning games. What made this game memorable: Roberto and Sofia ran the bases after the game.
>Visit the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium

GAME #3- May 27, 2009 (Chicago, IL)- Oh! Wrigley Field. It just breaths classic ballpark. There are 94 years of history here for taking. From its rugged exterior to its old school interior, you can't beat the nostalgia you feel when you are here. For $25 you can grab a tour of the historic ballpark. After the tour you can hang out at the new Captain Morgan Club right outside the park and get 30% off when your show your tour ticket. The Cubby Bear is another historic hangout. But you have to be 21 and over. It gets crazy after the games, so it may be difficult to find a place in Wrigleyville to hang out in with the kids. We ended up walking down Addison Street, and found a family friendly pizza place away from the overwhelming crowds. If you are feeling adventurous watch the game from the rooftop bleachers across the street from Wrigley. What made this game memorable: Carlos Zambrano's tantrum on the field.
>Visit the Chicago Cubs at WrigleyField

GAME #2- May 25, 2009 (Cleveland, OH)- Game two found us visiting the Indians vs. White Sox on their home turf, Progressive Field. It was Memorial Day and the Indians were giving away aprons that said "We are with the tribe." The stadium boasts a multi-million dollar scoreboard the largest in baseball. You can purchase a scoreboard message for any occasion.You can also join the 2009 High Achiever Kids Club for free and check out the Indians Hall of Fame in Heritage Park. What made this game memorable: The Indians seven run comback! Great game!
>Visit the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field

GAME #1- May 3, 2009 (Washington, DC)- Sofia's first baseball experience was a home run at Nationals Park. Our home park is located in an up and coming neighborhood in Southeast DC. Today they were celebrating Latino Heritage and were giving away free t-shirts with the team insignia in Spanish "Los Nacionales". The Nationals won 6-1 against the Cardinals. Could Sofia be the lucky charm the team needs to have a winning season? What made this game memorable: This was Sofia's first game!
>Visit the Washington Nationals at Nationals Stadium