Baseball Cities Tour

August 14th – It is hard to believe that we have been on the road for just over 4 months and that we have already seen 29 ballparks! It has been a great journey and the Boston Red Sox provided us with a grand finish. Fenway is a great ballpark. We arrived in Boston early enough to spend some time walking around the outside ballpark before the game. The game itself could not have been more exciting. Boston was playing Tampa Bay (where we started our trip) and like the first game, this one came down to the very last pitch and the Red Sox won!! The fans welcomed Jon Lester for his first home start after his battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This was Fenway’s 365th consecutive sellout – the second longest streak in baseball history.

Game 29 – Shea Stadium
August 7th –This was an evening game so it was more comfortable weather wise than the game at Yankee Stadium. This is also another team with a new stadium in its near future and the new one is being built right next to the existing one so as you are watching games you can also see progress on the new stadium (Citi Field).

August 5th – Could not have had a hotter day for this game! It was an afternoon game and we were sitting the sun all afternoon. First disappointment was that although we arrived well before the start of the game, Monument Park was closed for the day by the time we got inside the stadium. Alex Rodrigez had hit his 500th home run the night before this game but we did get to see a milestone – Hideki Matsui hit his 100th home run as a Yankee.

July 31 – It was so easy to get to this stadium from where we were staying we were there much quicker than we had anticipated. Only problem was there wasn’t much to see or do in the immediate area so we just walked around the outside of the stadium and waited for the gates to open. The ceremonial first pitch we thrown by the President of the PGA America, Brian Whitcomb. Geico sponsors the Presidents Race where Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt race (graphically) around DC and finish along the first base line. The race was interrupted briefly when 3 of them decided to try putting before finishing the race. Next year this team is getting a new ballpark so we will have to return for a game in there. This one will remain the home of the Major League Soccer team – DC United.

July 29th – Another weather threatened game. We arrived in Baltimore early and it seems everyone else did as well. We like to get there early to take pictures and walk around the outside and surrounding area. Here there were lines outside the gates 2 hours before they opened. We decided to follow the 60 Baseballs painted on the sidewalks from the Sports Legends at Camden Yard to the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum. We returned to the stadium shortly after the gates opened and found our seats just in time for the grounds crew to start putting the tarp on the field. There was a 42-minute rain delay but then they were able to complete the full 9 innings but the home team lost the game.

July 27th – We were a little worried about getting this game in. The forecast was for Thunderstorms but we went prepared – rain jackets and umbrella in hand. Fortunately the lightning did not start until late in the game. This is one of the few parks we have been to where I wish we had different seats - we couldn’t see the Liberty Bell and it “rang” for Pat Burrell’s home run in the 2nd inning – other than that, they were fine. Home team won!

It was hard to get a good picture of this stadium. If you have ever seen a Blue Jays game on TV, you know there are hotel rooms that face the ball field. Before the game as we walked around trying to get picture of the stadium, we saw the Canadian Idol show setting up to film. Inside the stadium, they have vending machines for baseball cards-that was something different. It was also different to see the people watching from their hotel rooms. The CN Tower literally towers over the field. From where we were sitting, we could watch the elevators going to the top. Although the stands never looked full, the attendance was 30,640.

July 20th – What a ballpark! Looking at the stadium from the outside, there is no doubt as to what team plays there – Tigers are everywhere and it is beautifully done. Once inside the stadium, we enjoyed walking around the statutes in the outfield honoring Willie Horton, Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer and Al Kaline. From there we walked around to the Home Plate entrance where we found the Big Cat Court, which is a food court just inside the entrance with a Detroit Tiger Carousel in the center. Of course I had to ride it!! This was the start of the Negro League Weekend and the Tigers were honoring Norman “Turkey” Stearnes. His family members were presented a plaque before the game and through the evening various “Did you know facts” were shown on the Jumbotron. For example, Country Singer Charlie Pride played in the Negro Leagues for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Memphis Red Sox in the early 1950’s. The game got off to a great start with Gary Sheffield hitting a home run in the first inning but the Royals would not be denied.

July18th – We were afraid this might be our first rainout but it turned out to be a hot, humid cloudy day and the game was completed without any weather problems. It was Indians Lunchbox giveaway day for those under 14 and it was also Super Cuts Haircuts for Charity day. This was a first for us – haircuts at the ballgame but why not. The stadium is very nice and we enjoyed walking through Heritage Park in the outfield, which is like a hall of fame for the Indians. It was a colorful day a the ballpark as there were many daycare and summer camp groups in attendance and most groups had colored T-shirts to identify their charges. Everyone enjoyed the Hot Dog Derby – I believe Onion won. Unfortunately the home team lost. After the game, we walked to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and enjoyed walking around there before leaving the city.

July 16th -This is a beautiful stadium with a great view of downtown Pittsburgh and the Allegheny River. The scoreboard in the outfield is another unique one-for each game they show not only the score but also the number of outs and when players are on base. Before the game, the Seneca Valley High School Baseball Team was honored at home plate. They are the 2007 PIAA “AAAA” State Champions. Ronald McDonald threw the ceremonial first pitch, as it was McDonalds Monday Scratch-off night. Mrs. T’s Pierogies Race was held at the end of the 5th inning and after one of the other innings the mascots tossed hotdogs into the crowd. The actual game was the longest one so far – it started at 7:05PM and it was 9:47PM before we reached the 7th inning stretch!