June 16, 2010

Ballpark Roadtrip: Progressive Field

The Cleveland Indians home park Progressive Field is one of the best ballparks in all of baseball. Opened in 1994 and reminiscent of Baltimore's Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the former Jacobs Field is a retro and fan-friendly park.

Jacobs Field replaced Cleveland Municipal Stadium, which had the dubious nickname "The Mistake by the Lake." The facility, located just south of Lake Erie, was known for the biting cold winds that would blow into the stadium in winter and, for that matter, during much of the spring and fall.

Because of its proximity to the lake during hot summer nights, its lights attracted swarms of midges and mayflies.

Progressive Field is located a little over a mile from Lake Erie, near where Cleveland Municipal Stadium stood. The Cleveland Browns stadium now stands where Municipal Stadium was located along Lake Erie.

If you attend batting practice, the gates open at 4:30 but you're limited to access to only the seats in right - centerfield. Plenty of balls are launched by hitters into the seats out there. Bring a glove, unless you like bruised fingers.

If you don't want to soak up some rays and watch batting practice, checkout Heritage Park, which is located in the outfield area by Gate C.

It's a must see - the walk-through area honors the Indians and Cleveland's long time baseball history 1869.

At 6pm the gates open to the rest of the ballpark. I asked several staff members for food recommendations. Milwaukee has brats, Dodger Stadium has Dodger dogs, and Philadelphia has cheesesteaks - so I wanted to sample what the former Jake was famous for.

But there seemed to be no consensus at Progressive Field - a hot dog perhaps, one usher responded. One staff member chased me down and suggested a concession stand called Cleats.

At Cleats, I had a cheeseburger and waffle fries. Most ballparks burgers are okay but the Cleats burger was great. I didn't try anything else. The temperature was in the mid 80's and humid, so food was not in my plans.

As I walked around taking photos, many of the ushers and staff members were friendly and helpful. They offered suggestions on where to go and what to see.

Fans are close to the field and the seats are directed towards the infield; there's plenty of leg room and space to move around.

You can see all the action on the field from concession stands except behind home plate on the field level. At least they don't have a black jacket like the new Yankee Stadium does.

Fans around me were disappointed by the lack of support by other Indian fans; they were all more concerned about the Browns and whether LeBron James would return to the Cavs.

It was great to see families with young children at a game without abusive language ignited by beer. The view of buildings in downtown Cleveland enhanced the atmosphere.

Raffles and trivia contests involving fans in between innings keep fans entertained. One young fan eagerly awaited the hot dog race at the end of the fifth inning featuring the ketchup, mustard and onion hot dogs.

Progressive Field

Progressive Field is a ballpark located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. On April 4, 1994, the Indians played their first game at the new stadium. President Bill Clinton threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in 11 innings. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

View of the toothbrush-shaped light towers at Progressive Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

A monument honoring Raymond Johnson Chapman who spent his entire career as a shortstop for Cleveland. Chapman was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by New York Yankees pitcher Carl Mays, and died 12 hours later in 1920. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

In Heritage Park, plaques honor some of the greatest players in baseball and Indians history like hometown hero Rocky Colavito and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

Panoramic view of Progressive Field from the upper deck. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

Heritage Park includes three distinct areas honoring the club's past - the Indians Hall of Fame, 38 memorable moments in club history and the Top 100 Indians Roster as selected during the 100th Anniversary Celebration in 2001. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

(Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

View of Progressive Field from the Indians dugout. The tour of the ballpark will take you in the Indians dugout and on the field; but you have to stay off the Kentucky Bluegrass field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

New York Mets players Jeff Francoeur, Jason Bay and David Wright check out the field before taking some early batting practice at Progressive Field. While on the ballpark tour we encountered the players along with several others. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

The New York Mets give congratulations after they defeated the Cleveland Indians, 8-4 at Progressive Field on June 16, 2010. The Mets went on to sweep the three game series. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

Cheeseburger and waffle fries with a lemonade - the food of choice at Cleats in Progressive Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

The hot dog race at the end of the fifth inning can get rough as mustard and ketchup hot dogs seek the attention of the diva onion hot dog who won the race. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

Located in the center field area of Progressive Field, adjacent to the Market Pavilion, Heritage Park is available to fans before and during games. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

A vendor sells peanuts and cracker jacks in the field level seats during a game between the Tribe and Mets at Progressive Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Progressive Field

View of the Progressive Field as the Mets take batting practice prior to the start of a game against the Tribe. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

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Progressive Field

 

Ballpark: A - Great tour and baseball environment. Too bad they always sell off young talent and rebuild. Tour guide knew his team's history unlike other guides who were not as knowledgeable.

Fans & Atmosphere: A - Great ballpark, much like Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Plenty of places to go to after the game. Felt the pain of one fan next to me. As many Met fans as Tribe fans there. My seats were 9 rows from the Mets dugout, $47.00.

Food: B - Cheeseburger with lettuce and tomatoes, waffle fries, large lemonade for $10.25!

Mascot: B - Slider, what in hell is he? Entertained crowd and was great with kids? What in hell is he?

Staff: D - Team store and tour leader were very nice. Vendors and ushers were kind and friendly. Some security guards were just not nice at all.

Team Tradition: A - Very Good; Small market team can't compete with other teams in larger markets. Cleveland is one of the city's oldest baseball traditions, dating back to 1869.

Location: A -Downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Walked everywhere, even to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame. Plenty of bars and restaurants nearby for meals before and after the game.

Photos taken June 16, 2010 using a Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.

May 18, 2010

Ballpark Roadtrip: Sun Life Stadium

Sun Life Stadium is a football stadium being used for baseball in Miami Gardens, Florida, a city north of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League, and the Miami Hurricanes football team of the University of Miami. Sun Life Stadium also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game.

Originally named Joe Robbie Stadium, it has also been known as Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Dolphin Stadium, and Land Shark Stadium. It has been the home to the Florida Marlins since 1993.
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September 18, 2009

Ballpark Roadtrip: Braves Field

Braves Field was a baseball park in the Northeastern United States, located in Boston, Massachusetts. Today the site is home to Nickerson Field on the campus of Boston University. The stadium was home of the Boston Braves of the National League from 1915–1952, prior to the Braves' move to Milwaukee in 1953.
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August 28, 2009

Ballpark Roadtrip: Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is located in Chicago, Illinois and has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales.

It was called Cubs Park between 1920 and 1926 before being renamed for the Cubs team owner and chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley, Jr..

Between 1921 and 1970, it was also the home of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.

Most recently it hosted the second annual National Hockey League Winter Classic on January 1, 2009.

Located in the community area of Lakeview, Wrigley Field sits on an irregular block bounded by Clark (west) and Addison (south) Streets and Waveland (north) and Sheffield (east) Avenues.

The area surrounding the ballpark contains residential streets, in addition to bars, restaurants and other establishments and is called Wrigleyville.

The ballpark's mailing address is 1060 W. Addison Street.

Wrigley Field is nicknamed “The Friendly Confines”, a phrase popularized by "Mr. Cub", Hall of Famer Ernie Banks.

The current capacity is 41,009, making Wrigley Field the 10th-smallest actively used ballpark. It is the oldest National League ballpark and the second oldest active major league ballpark (after Fenway Park on April 20, 1912), and the only remaining Federal League park.

Wrigley is known for its ivy covered brick outfield wall, the unusual wind patterns off Lake Michigan, the iconic red marquee over the main entrance, the hand turned scoreboard, and for being the last major league park to have lights installed for play after dark, with lighting installed in 1988.

 

Ballpark: B - Although many people think Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are great old ballparks, the truth is that the seating is crammed with narrow aisles. Many of the seats are rusty and uncomfortable. The corridors are tight and hard to pass.
Fans & Atmosphere: A - On a crumby weather day in the middle of the week, the ballpark is filled. Despite the fact the team is out of contention against another non-contending team.
Food: D - Had to be the worst food I ever had. Tossed some of it out. Chili dog, chicken fingers and soda for $20.00.
Mascot: INC - No mascot for the old school team.
Staff: A - Surprisingly friendly and helpful. One security guard was very kind and insisted we take photos with him.
Team Tradition: A - The Cubs have not won the World Series in 104 years, the longest championship drought of any major North American professional sports team and are often referred to as "The Lovable Losers" because of this distinction. Ivy covered walls.
Location: A - Located in Chicago's north side Lake View community at 1060 West Addison Street. Limited parking and the train was the best way to get to Wrigley.

Photos taken August 28, 2009 using a Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.

August 8, 2009

Ballpark Roadtrip: PNC Park

PNC Park, which opened in spring 2001, is a classic-style ballpark, an intimate facility that embraces the progressiveness of Pittsburgh while saluting the spirit of early ballpark originals such as Forbes Field, Wrigley Field and Fenway Park.

It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates since their inception in 1887.

This riverfront facility combines the best features of yesterday's ballparks - rhythmic archways, steel truss work and a natural grass playing field - with the latest in fan and player amenities and comfort.
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July 25, 2009

Ballpark Roadtrip: Citi Field

Every year I enjoy traveling on vacation to see a ballpark I never visited. Due to the economy, my distaste for flying and rental car costs, gas prices and sleeping in strange places (I can never sleep on the road). I decided to stay local and visit some ballparks only a short bus ride away so I could be home that same day.

My trip started with a visit to Citi Field for a concert by Paul McCartney. To Citizens Bank Park on Monday to see the Cubs play the Phillies followed by Nationals Park on Tuesday to see the Mets and Nats. Wednesday I was at Yankee Stadium where the Orioles took on the Bronx Bombers. On Friday I made it to Fenway Park with a stadium tour and to see the Red Sox play the Orioles.

As a die-hard Mets fan it pains me to say that Paul McCartney was the best performance at Citi Field so far this season.

The first time I went to Citi Field after the Mets installed the fan walk, I looked at this new beautiful park. I saw a couple in their early 50's checking out the new park. The man's father who was near 80 years old sat there teary eyed. The new ballpark awoke memories of a field and team that picked up left Brooklyn after the 1957 season.

Unfortunately that is one of biggest problems with Citi Field. It honors the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson, not the New York Mets. On Opening Day, the ballpark was sterile, no memories of the Mets' 47-year history and two world championship teams. The Dodgers won only one championship while in Brooklyn.

As you enter the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, old images of Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field are on display. The rotunda is beautiful, but where is the Mets stuff? How about the Giants? Aren't the Mets the team that replaced and the Giants and Dodgers and took their colors and logo? The Mets played their first seasons at the Polo Grounds and then Shea Stadium. I don't see images of those parks, just Ebbets Field and a big number 42.

The ballpark is great, except I wouldn't know you were in New York. It feels like you're at a Met fan on the road. The outfield area is filled with food vendors and areas to eat. Shake Shack is a must. An hour before game time the line is 45 minutes long. I was there at 5:30 and got a burger hot off the grill in a minute with a shake. I went back for seconds and waited one minute.

I have seats in the front row of the Pepsi Porch in right field. Great seats, great view, the porch hangs 8 feet over the field of play. The only problem is when a ball is hit into right field beneath you, you lose the action. People in the third row or further back lose more of the playing field and need assistance from people in front to learn what happened.

Citi Field is a much better and larger facility than Shea Stadium, which you can walk around the entire park at the field level.

The porch was a 20-minute exit to the field, because there's one way up and out. The staircases get cramped and crowded. Security will not let you pass through the Caesars Club to exit down that staircase.

Things move very slowly when you hit the 7 trains, because there's one staircase there with five openings, two of them taped off by the MTA and causing congestion. Maybe the MTA will add an additional entrance/exit near 126th Street and perhaps add a handicap accessible elevator.

A welcome to Citi Field sign featuring Mr. Mets in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Did not know Jackie played with the Mets? (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

One of the few things the Mets have added since the season started to honor their past. In the bullpen gate you will find the Mets championship and pennant markers near the home run apple. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

A fan holds a baseball autographed by a Mets player before the baseball game at Citi Field in New York City. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Citi Field, the new home of the New York Mets, glows at night while fans exit the park following the Mets 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. As a life-long Mets fan, it pains me to say that Paul McCartney was the best performance at Citi Field so far this season. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The Pepsi Cola sign above the Pepsi Porch. The porch reminds people of the one at Tiger Stadium. Great seats, great view, the porch hangs 8 feet over the field of play. The only problem is when a ball is hit into right field beneath you, you lose the action. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Opening Day at Citi Field between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets on April 13, 2009. Citi Field is the third home for the Mets since 1962. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

A fan holds up a sign in the Pepsi Porch displaying his disappointment over the team's poor play in the inaugural season at Citi Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Fans walk across the Shea Bridge in centerfield. Unlike Shea Stadium, fans can walk around the concourse on the main field level. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

New York Mets catcher Omir Santos enjoys a day off on a beautiful day at Citi Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The seats are mirrored off the windows of the Mets offices past the Shea Bridge in the outfield at Citi Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

A vendor looks for a customer to purchase one of his overpriced hot dogs. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

A photographer for the New York Mets searches the seats for a happy face during a disappointing first season at Citi Field. Many believe the ballpark was built on an old burial grounds and is responsible for all the team's woes and injuries. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The rotunda is beautiful, but where is the Mets stuff? Aren't the Mets the team that replaced and the Giants and Dodgers and took their colors and logo? The Mets played their first seasons at the Polo Grounds and then Shea Stadium. I don't see any images of those parks, just a big number 42. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Cinncinnati Reds All-Star Joey Votto gets ejected by home plate umpire Bill Welke for arguing balls and strikes in the 4th inning against the Mets. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The sneakers of Mets outfielder Gary Sheffield sit on the outfield grass at Citi Field during batting practice, Tuesday, July 29, 2009. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Mets mascot Mr. Met shoots t-shirts during the crowd with the Pepsi Party Patrol during the seventh inning stretch. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

One of the few things the Mets have added since the season started to honor their past. In the bullpen gate you will find the Mets championship and pennant markers near the home run apple. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The seldom used new Home Run Apple in center field. The new ballpark with larger dimensions has made it harder for teams to blast home runs at Ciit Field. (Gordon Donovan)

Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems with Citi Field is that it honors the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson, not the New York Mets. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

New York Mets David Wright stands on deck during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

New York Mets bench coach Sandy Alomar brings out the line up card before the game against the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

No tributes to the New York Giants, although Jeff Wilpon said the seats match the color of the seats at the Polo Grounds. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The center field area is filled with food vendors and areas to eat, including the Shake Shack. Behind the center field scoreboard is the 2K Sports FanFest area, an expanded family entertainment area that includes a miniature wiffleball field replica of Citi Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The beautful front entrance of Citi Field features a rotunda named after Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson and honors his life and accomplishments. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Markers in place where the bases and home plate were located in Shea Stadium in the parking lot. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The beautiful brick facade of Citi Field that is reminiscent of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, former home of the Dodgers. The Mets played in Shea Stadium for 44 seasons, the Dodgers played at Ebbets Field for 45 seasons. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Retired numbers of the Met managers Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges, Hall of Fame Mets pitcher Tom Seaver, Brooklyn Dodger great Jackie Robinson and Bill Shea, who brought National League baseball back to New York. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Directional markers outside of Citi Field to help fans get lost at new ballpark. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

On Opening Day, the ballpark was sterile, with no memories of the Mets' 47-year history and two world championship teams. The Dodgers won only one championship while in Brooklyn. As you enter the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, images of Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field are on display. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The first time I went to Citi Field after the Mets installed the fan walk, I looked at this new beautiful park I saw a couple in their early 50's checking out the new park. The man's father, who was near 80 years, old sat there teary-eyed. The new ballpark awoke memories of a field and team that picked up and left Brooklyn after the 1957 season. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

The New York Mets, founded in 1962, returned National League baseball to New York following the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles and the New York Giants to San Francisco. The Mets' uniform was designed to incorporate elements of both departed clubs, with the Dodgers' royal blue becoming the Mets' primary color and the Giants' orange the trim color, along with the Giants' "NY" crest adopted as the new team's cap logo. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

Ballpark: B – New ballpark, upgrade from Shea Stadium. More bathrooms, elevators and restaurants. Some bad sight lines and seating. Lose plays down the line from some seats. Can’t see the field from the main concourse behind home plate or food court in centerfield. Seats are more cramped with long rows and so called extended leg room. No more box seats. No more great firework nights since the stadium is enclosed. Lovely view of chop shops now.

Fans & Atmosphere: B – Great new ballpark and baseball scene despite Mets fans whining and wanting to fire or trade everybody. Great for families but overpriced. Tickets in Pepsi Porch Gold (front row) - $60.00 a ticket and you can't see right field beneath you. One fan with a big mouth called Mr. Bingo abused Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran the entire game.

Food: A – Shake Shack burgers and shakes are a must. Great fries across the way at Box Frites. Sausage and pepper hero sandwiches are excellent. Food Cost - $30.50. Not enough tables to eat.

Mascot: A – Mr. Met, its Mr. Met. He should abuse a Phillie Phanatic stuffed doll.

Staff: B – Great friendly staff, a few in a bad mood or think they own the park, it's New York after all. Ushers always have a hand out and security is a bunch of what-to-be cops.

Team Tradition: D – Mets history is all but absent, you feel like you're at a Mets game on the road. Brooklyn Dodgers are represented in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Nothing about New York Giants, although Jeff Wilpon said the seats match the color of Polo Grounds. Slowly they have been elements, pennants and banners. Plans are being made for a Hall of Fame in the Bullpen Gate area. They laid bases and home plate from Shea in the actual spot where the parking lot is now. They did bring the Home Run Apple and old scoreboard's NYC skyline over from Shea.

Location: B – The ballpark is in the old parking lot next to where Shea Stadium stood in Corona, Queens. Lots of parking, 7 trains is the best way in and out. Train station needs to be renovated and handicap accessible.

Photos taken July 11-12 and 28, 2009 using a Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.

July 24, 2009

Ballpark Roadtrip: Fenway Park

The Red Sox moved to Fenway Park from the old Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds. In 1911, owner John I. Taylor purchased the land bordered by Brookline Avenue, Jersey Street, Van Ness Street and Lansdowne Street and developed it into a larger baseball stadium.

Taylor claimed the name Fenway Park came from its location in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, which was partially created late in the nineteenth century by filling in marshland or "fens", to create the Back Bay Fens urban park.

However, given that Taylor's family also owned the Fenway Realty Company, the promotional value of the naming at the time has been cited as well. Like many classic ballparks,
Fenway Park was constructed on an asymmetrical block, with consequent asymmetry in its field dimensions.

The first game was played April 20, 1912, with mayor John F. Fitzgerald threw out the first pitch and Boston defeated the New York Highlanders (renamed the Yankees the next year), 7-6 in 11 innings.

Newspaper coverage of the opening was overshadowed by continuing coverage of the Titanic sinking a few days earlier.

Attendance at the park has not always been great, and reached its low point late in the 1965 season with two games having paid attendance under 500 spectators. Its fortunes have risen since the Red Sox' 1967 "Impossible Dream" season.

On September 8, 2008 with a game versus the Tampa Bay Rays, Fenway Park broke the all-time Major League record with its 456th consecutive sellout, surpassing the previous record held by Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field) in Cleveland, Ohio.

On Wednesday, June 17, 2009 the park celebrated its 500th consecutive Red Sox sellout. According to WBZ-TV, the team joined three NBA teams which achieved 500 consecutive home sellouts.
Former pitcher Bill Lee has called Fenway Park "a shrine". Today, the park is considered to be one of the most well-known sports venues in the world.

The Green Monster at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox in Boston. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



The Splendid Splinter statue outside Fenway Park on Ipswich Street and the number 9 wore by Hall of Famer Ted Williams. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



A view of from the upper level of Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Massachusetts on July 24, 2009. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



Batting Practice before the baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



Members of the Anaheim Angels check out the Green Monster at Fenway Park in Boston. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



During batting practice, fans posed with the Ted Williams red seat in right field. Williams hit the longest home run in Fenway, measuring 502 feet, in 1946. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



View from the seat that Ted Williams hit the longest home run in Fenway that measured 502 feet in 1946. The area is called Williamsburg. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



Green Monster directions painted on a wall at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox in Boston. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



The bleacher seats in center and right field are seen from on top of the green monster seats. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



Young fans gather on top of the Red Sox dugout seeking autographs from the players. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay guards the Green Monster in left field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



The Green Monster is in full view as the Baltimore Orioles take batting practice. (Gordon Donovan)



The scoreboard in center field in Fenway Park. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



Three hours before game time, the area teems with fans waiting for the ballpark to open. Hundreds line up outside the gates for the bleacher entrances. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



A view of Fenway Park from Landsdowne Street in Boston. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



One drawback of Fenway's old-time charm: The seats are cramped and were made for people in 1912. While the majority of the seats are new, they have kept the original wooden seats in several sections. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



They like to mention their early and most recent successes, along with some Yankee bashing by the tour guides. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



The Green Monster at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox in Boston. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



The seating signs on top of the Green Monster and the foul pole made famous by Carlton Fisk. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



They walked us around the park down to the field level and talked about the ballpark's history and changes made in recent years. Here's a view from down the left field line. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



A dramtic sunset at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox in Boston. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Ballpark: A - Old historical ballpark in the middle of a neighborhood. Had to purchase tickets on Stub Hub for $210.00. Wait for the day of the game and then check Stub Hub - prices decrease. Unless you want to wait three hours before the game time for bleacher seats in the outfield.

Fans & Atmosphere: A - Great place to watch a game, great charm, energy and intimacy. Not really a bad seat except if you are behind a steel girder and anyone over six feet tall. Like a scene from a college football game, people are there hours before the game starts.

Food: D - 1912 baseball menu, bring your own food or eat before you come in. Didn’t enjoy sausage and peppers, the popcorn was too salty. Lemonade was not very good. $18.00 for purchases.

Mascot: C - Wally the Green Monster. He's big and cute, he should have been setting a Yankee jersey on fire.

Staff: C - Ushers and helpful security staff. Food vendors are like the food they serve, a little salty. Mentioned I was from New York to one staff member and was told to get out of town.

Team Tradition: A - Red Sox Nation, proud of recent championships and ball park. Crazy about the Red Sox, never seen this energy for baseball before.

Photos taken July 24, 2009, using a Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard lens and a PowerShot SD970 IS Digital Camera.

July 22, 2009

Ballpark Roadtrip: Yankee Stadium

The new Yankee Stadium is very similar in design to the original Yankee Stadium, both in its original 1923 state and its post-renovation state in 1976. The exterior resembles the original look of the 1923 Yankee Stadium.

The interior, a modern ballpark with greater space and increased amenities, features a playing field that closely mimics the 1988–2008 dimensions of the old park. The current stadium features 4,300 club seats and 68 luxury suites.

The controversial price tag was $1.5 billion, which makes it not only the most expensive baseball stadium ever built, but the second-most expensive stadium of any kind (after MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey).

Although Yankee Stadium has been praised for its amenities and its usage of "classic" design elements from the original facility, the new stadium has been widely criticized for fan-unfriendly practices.

Seats within the first eight rows in the lower bowl, called the "Legends Suite", rank among the highest priced tickets in professional sports, with the average ticket in the section selling for $510 and the most expensive single game-day ticket costing $2,600.

During construction of the stadium, a construction worker and avid Boston Red Sox fan buried a replica jersey of Red Sox player David Ortiz underneath the visitors' dugout with the objective of placing a "hex" on the Yankees, much like the "Curse of the Bambino" that had plagued the Red Sox long after trading Ruth to the Yankees. After the worker was exposed by co-workers, he was forced to help exhume the jersey.

The Yankees organization then donated the retrieved jersey to the Jimmy Fund, a charity started in 1948 by the Red Sox' National League rivals, the Boston Braves, but long championed by the Red Sox and particularly associated with Ted Williams.

Despite the Yankee terrorist, the new ballpark has a beautiful collection of photographs and other memorabilia from the Yankees proud history in The Bronx. The Yankees Museum is filled with great memories for all baseball fans.

 

The train platform of the 4, 5 & 6 train takes you to Yankee Stadium from midtown Manhattan in 20 minutes. Old Yankee Stadium still standing to the left. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Yankee Stadium, the newest home of the New York Yankees in the Bronx, New York City on July 22, 2009. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The stadium is reachable via the 161st Street – Yankee Stadium station complex, the same that served the old Yankee Stadium, by the 4 B D trains of the New York City Subway. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The exterior resembles the original look of the 1923 Yankee Stadium. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The New York Yankees take batting practice prior to their game against the Baltimore Orioles. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The new stadium is meant to be very similar in design to the original 1923 Yankee Stadium. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

A full house on weekday afternoon game against the last place Orioles. The grandstands behind home plate in the upper level were great seats for $25.00 dollars each. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Young fan enjoys the action in grandstands. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The Great Hall at Yankee Stadium, the home of the New York Yankees in the Bronx, New York City on July 22, 2009. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett follows through with a pitch to the Orioles DH Luke Scott in the 4th inning. Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez is playing third base. (Gordon Donovan)

 

Freddy Sez carries a frying pan with a shamrock painted on it, which he says "Brings 'em luck." He also carries a number of colorful hand-painted signs adorned with messages to encourage the team and the fans. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Nick Swisher patrols right field with the bleacher creatures and Monument Park beyond the outfield wall. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

A photo of opening day at Yankee Stadium in 1923 with the original Yankee Stadium bronze eagle monument from the facade. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Alex Rodriguez comes to bat at Yankee Stadium, the home of the New York Yankees in the Bronx, New York City on July 22, 2009. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The center field scoreboard, which measures 59 x 101 feet, is the third-largest high-definition scoreboard in the world. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Yankee Stadium, the home of the New York Yankees in the Bronx, New York City on July 22, 2009. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Two fans watch the New York Yankees take batting practice prior to their game against the Baltimore Orioles. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The food court, with its limited seating, has some great images of Yankee stars eating or endorsing food products. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

A couple eating garlic french fries and suggested we try them - you can't wrong here. So we got fries, a Philly cheese steak and a beverage (no lids), and walked around for a place to eat on the field level. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

A Highlanders hot dog ad on one of the concession stands. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Baltimore in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles, and moved to New York City in 1903, becoming known as the New York Highlanders before being officially renamed the "Yankees" in 1913. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Just as he walked around away another guard came over and checked everyone's ticket. He got to us again, same thing, but this guy wanted us to move one section over and in the last row. We were already three rows from the back. Just as he walked away yet another brain trust of the Yankees security came over and told us we had to eat someplace else. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The legends box seats with warnings on the back of the seats. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

A display case of the New York Yankees World Championship trophies and other memorabilia. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

An autographed baseball signed by Babe Ruth on display in the Yankees Museum. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

There are six monuments and 24 plaques in Monument Park. The three original monuments of Gehrig, Huggins and Ruth were on the field of play in the first Yankee Stadium. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

The plaques of Yankee greats Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio are seen in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Retired numbers of former New York Yankee greats in Monument Park. The three original monuments of Gehrig, Huggins and Ruth were on the field of play in the first Yankee Stadium. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

 

Ballpark: B - The decorative frieze with pennants like the old stadium and how they honor history is great. You can see the field from all section concourses, except behind home plate where there’s the Wizard of Oz curtain blocking view of field.

Fans & Atmosphere: B - Feels corporate with lots of ads and no place to sit and eat like at Citi Field, Citizens Bank, Nationals Park, and Fenway Park. Outfield areas are great place to enjoy game because of bars. $25.00 a ticket in Grandstand behind home plate in upper level.

Food: B - Garlic french fries. Did I mention the Garlic French Fries? Cheese Steak is great. Water and lemonade in a cup with no lid. $33.00 for all food purchased.

Mascot: INC - We don't need no stinking mascot. We have 26 rings!

Staff: F - Impolite, poorly trained, asked two staff members who walked around with a sign "ask me a question if you need help?" They didn't know answer. Security staff are not too swift.

Team Tradition: A - Yankee Pride is everywhere. Very well done in the Great Hall, museum, and in food court with photos of past Yankee players eating. This is where Citi Field and Mets lose out.

Location: B - The new ballpark was constructed across the street of the 1923 Yankee Stadium, on the former site of Macombs Dam Park. A quick subway ride from midtown Manhattan, limited parking and plenty of traffic.

Photos taken July 22, 2009, using a Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard lens and a PowerShot SD970 IS Digital Camera.

July 21, 2009

Ballpark Roadtrip: Nationals Park

The park's name echoes the original name of the early-1900s ballpark used by the Washington Senators/Nationals, which was called National Park until it was rebuilt and renamed Griffith Stadium.
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