Play Ball!

A highlight of the trip has been visits to two MLB ballparks to see the Orioles play the Reds and the Nationals play the Angels. Both home teams have been taking up space at the bottom of their divisions so I expected to see them get routed by the visitors.

The Angels are leading the league and the parent club of the Orem Owlz which is our home town rookie league team. The birds took it to them. It was a fun game even though the Angels lost. The Orioles hadn't won a Sunday game since April and were on something like a five game losing streak. Was it me? Did I jinks the Angels or just bring luck to the Orioles?

The Reds have as bad a record as the Nationals. I didn't know prior to the game that Griffey Jr. had left the Reds, but the game ended up being a very fun game. Marj was there with me and we watched the Nationals come back from behind and easily beat the Reds.

Orioles Park at Camden Yards is a beautiful ball park. The only two things questionable about it are that my wife says a woman designed it and the street that sits outside center field (to capture home run balls) is named Eutaw street. Eutaw? It's spelled Utah birdlanders.

Nationals Park is new. It doesn't have the overall effect that Camdan Yards has on me. It has a kind of utilitarian design. It works, but isn't impressive. By the way, if a vendor outside the gates tells you that you can take that 24 oz. Diet Coke she sold you into the park with you, don't believe her. You'll just cry as you toss it into the trash can at the gate.

I had a blast. Being able to go to three MLB games this year has been a treat. Here are some photos of Nationals Park.