<p>A couple of summers ago, while son was doing some summer programs, H and I went to a White Sox game. It was Mullet Night. Oh, my goodness, it was a fun time!</p>
<p>Later that summer, while son was on another program, we went to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles play the Rangers. Wow, that was awesome! It was a season ticket fan experience. It was a high price, but we got to eat in the restaurant, sit like in the second row, got Boos Barbecue, plus his autograph. And the giveaways just walking in the gate! Fanny packs, t shirts, backpacks. Well worth the price. </p>
<p>We have no promotions at our Triple A games, and most of the concessions don’t even open. We’ll be paying 15 bucks a ticket for good seats, 5 bucks parking, and can’t even get an autograph from an unknown player. </p>
<p>But it’s baseball, so I love it. I even skip work when it’s DARE day, with 10K school age kids in the stands, just so I can see a DAY GAME!</p>
I know people that fly from Boston to Baltimore to do this. Still cheaper than buying scalped seats.</p>
<p>Here’s the thing though - I grew up in the Baltimore area, was a huge O’s fan growing up. But I can’t stand the current owner, who has basically destroyed what was for decades one of the premier franchises in baseball. So I don’t want to support the team in any way.</p>
<p>So I support the Red Sox until better days return for the BO’s.</p>
<p>Red Sox need a rally today. I want to see them play in Camden Yards, but my kids are Yankee fans so they won’t go. Triple AAA ball is cheap to watch plus you can always get a great seat.</p>
<p>DonnaL - ESPN is really the Eating, Spelling, Poker Network.</p>
<p>A good opening night for Toronto. They beat the Twins 13-3 on 12 hits, including a stunning 3 hit, 2 HR, 5 RBI performance by catcher Arencibia. Not bad for the #9 batter! Oh, and Bautista got his first HR of the season. Here’s hoping for all that to continue but having been a sports fan here for many years, I know that that’s unlikely. ;)</p>
<p>My favorite guy, John Buck, hit a Grand Slam yesterday! We went to that White Sox game a few years back to see him play, as they were playing the Royals, his team at the time. He is a super nice guy, was on our Triple A Astro club back in the day, but got involved in the Beltran trade, so his career got sidetracked. So thrilled to see him make the All Star Team last year, as a Blue Jay. This year, he’s a Marlin, who is our current affiliate, so we’ll get to follow him again this year. </p>
<p>So excited for this new season. Lots of my Triple A friends are retired, moved on, now, but I still have a love of the game.</p>
<p>Enjoy the season, guys! Looking forward to discussing baseball with y’all!</p>
<p>I’m in NC and have gone to Camden Yards the past two years to see the Red Sox play. My brother and sister come down from CT to join me. We have a blast. It is a sea of red. I guess the same thing happens when the Yankees play Baltimore, except it’s a sea of blue.</p>
<p>notrichenough - I was raised a Baltimore fan and they still hold the #2 spot in my heart. When I was a Baltimore fan, Boston was my #2 team. I grew up in CT and lived in Boston for 10 years (76-86), so I eventually went over to the red side. I did wear my Orioles’ cap to games my first couple of years in Boston. That was a brave thing to do in the bleachers of Fenway.</p>
<p>Oh, who couldn’t love the Orioles. Such a beautiful ballpark. And Cal Ripken, what a guy! I had to get a Ripken shirt while I was there. </p>
<p>So thrilled they have Buck Showalter at the helm now. I think good times are ahead for them.</p>
<p>Got to feel bad for anybody in the AL East, though. Such a tough division. High payroll teams barely give the little guys a chance. But the Rays will be a force to contend with again this year, so I think they’ll give the Sox and Yanks a run for their money!</p>
<p>Watching the Yankees/Tigers game on Fox right now.
Russell Martin (who?) just hit the second 3 run homer for NY. Oh, he’s the new catcher.
OK, Jorge Posada is now DHing. He’s turning 40 and still going pretty strong. Good for him.</p>
<p>Good ole #2 just hit a dribbler down the first base line. Guess Derek Jeter isn’t too old to beat out the non-throw by two Tigers watching it stay fair and is safe at first.</p>
<p>Looks like even AJ Burnett may not be able to lose this one.</p>
<p>I’m an OLD Yankee fan and enjoy rooting for the OLD Yankees!!</p>
<p>We make at least two trips down to Camden Yards each year from NJ. Beautiful stadium, great Boog’s barbeque, and inner harbor to boot. MUCH cheaper than a trip into Yankee Stadium.</p>
<p>Red Sox have had some trouble the past two days. Rangers beat them soundly yesterday and are leading 12-5 in the 7th tonight. It’s a long season–anything can, and will, happen–but I’m hoping my Rangers are on top at the end of it.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s horrible at Wrigley. Even worse at night when the folks have been drinking all day.
I think I’m going to stop watching baseball/going to games. I will be OOC from the beginning of June until August. Good time to ween myself, since in 4-5 years I will be OOC permanently.</p>
<p>The only times I have gone to The Cell, I have gone to root for the opposition. (Last year Red Sox). Since the days of YAZ, a lefty like me, they have been my American League team. Their owners now also rune my favorite English football (soccer) team.</p>
<p>Ah, yes, the new stadiums are soulless. Did not like Minute Maid Park. Felt like a football stadium. Give me baseball outdoors. That’s why I love my minor league clubs.</p>
<p>AutoZone Park in Memphis is great. Birmingham Barons and Trustmark Park, Double A for WHite Sox and Braves, respectively, are very nice parks. Comfortable seats, cheap tickets and fantastic food! But we really, really loved Camden Yards, and would love to go back again.</p>
<p>I think New Comisky (sorry, I can’t bring myself to call it U.S. Cellular Field or whatever it is) was the last one built before Camden Yards, which revolutionized baseball stadiums. Some of the new ones are pretty nice. I’ve heard the new Indians stadium is great although I haven’t been there yet.</p>
<p>The Ballpark in Arlington is not really new anymore (opened in 1994 or thereabouts), but it is really nice. Tons of parking ($10) and even a view of JerryWorld (aka Cowboys Stadium).</p>
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