May 16, 2008 (Baltimore)

I took a day trip from DC to Baltimore, to visit Oriole Park in Camden Yards. As it's the one that started the retro ballparks in MLB, it would also start off my baseball quest to visit every ballpark.

This was my first ever visit to Baltimore, and the only reason for me to visit this city, is for baseball. Nearby is the Babe Ruth Birthplace, which I did get to visit. I also would visit the Sports Legend Museum, but had to skim through it, not realizing how much stuff is actually in it. I will definitely have to make a return visit.

I went to a stand, where I bought 3 hot dogs for $5, which was not a bad deal in itself, and I'm sure better than inside the ballpark. And the great thing is that I could bring the food and drink inside the stadium.

It was a chilly night, and probably the first time I went to a baseball game in this type of weather. I walked along Eutaw Street and looked around until the starting lineups were announced. I did not give myself enough time, as I did not want to miss any part of the game. It kind of stinks that I could not see the game from the concourse.

I sat behind home plate underneath the deck. I would end talking with someone next to me, who was also from Philly.

The Baltimore Orioles were playing the Washington Nationals in the opener of the Beltway Series. Seeing a lot of empty seats, just shows that this isn't much of a rivalry, and never will be. It's no Yankees-Mets or Cubs-White Sox. The Nationals jumped to a 2-0 lead, but the Orioles came back, and eventually won the game 5-3. Ironic that I would be watching the Nats in a road game, considering that I was in DC for a weekend trip.

There was fireworks afterwards, but I would miss it, because of the last bus would leave 20 minutes after the last out. Or I thought. Turns out the bus driver just stood outside, talking. So I missed the fireworks for no reason, and was really upset. So was another girl, who went outside to complain to the driver, but to no avail. The bus would eventually leave, but that was almost 45 minutes after the game, and the fireworks had already ended.

So for those that come from DC to catch a game at Camden Yards and the fireworks after that, have a Plan B to get back to DC, in case the last bus does leave 20 minutes after the last out. I think fireworks and baseball go well together.

I would not get to visit Nationals Park, and will have to make a return trip to DC, to see a game there, and possibly the DC United soccer team to see RFK Stadium.


But overall, it was a great experience, and a nice way to start summer for me.