How long is a baseball game?
Mar 22nd, 2008, 10:08 PM
#23
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Thank you, Jean and dmlove. I'm so glad to know it's not just ignorance on my part! Perhaps it is an east coast thing, dmlove. Which means I was ignorant when I attended games there! But I honestly don't remember even having contact with an usher at any of those games. Since they were stadiums with which we weren't familiar, we may have asked for directions...
Mar 23rd, 2008, 12:57 AM
#24
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AAFrequentFlyer: completely off topic, but Liverpool FC are the most succesful club in the English league - 18 leaugue titles, 7 league cups, 7 FA cups, 5 European cups. A cpuple of years they one trebles - the league, league cup and European cup in 1984, and the FA cup, league cup and Uefa cup in 2001.
They were allowed to keep the European cup permanently after their fifth win.
They were allowed to keep the European cup permanently after their fifth win.
Mar 23rd, 2008, 03:32 AM
#25
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Hey, guys - I started quite a conversation here! 
I have, in my hands, 3 tickets for the game at Petco on 29 June, printed out from the computer. Also a parking ticket for Padres Parkade. The seats are a bit 'on the flat', near the Padres bunker, so not sure how good they'll be. But we're very excited about going!
No doubt in my mind that it's probably a boring game. If it has innings, like cricket, then it has to be! I played rounders (very similar to baseball) at school and the game would end when the bell went for the next lesson! If the game at Petco goes on longer than a couple hours, I doubt we will see the end. BUT, we're going for the experience! We went to the 4th July rodeo in Cody in 2006, didn't understand the scoring or anything else, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'll report back with what we thought of it!
I've actually asked for an early check-in at our hotel (Marriott Coronado Resort) and I think we will leave PS early and try to get to the hotel, to (hopefully) offload our luggage, before we go to the game. I'm a little nervous about leaving all our stuff (luggage, laptop etc) in the trunk of the car and just parking it. Anyway, we'll see.
As for ManUre and Yankees and all big, successful teams ... I've got a 1995 FA Cup Final programme, framed and hanging on the wall, signed by the only scorer (Paul Rideout). Everton 1, ManU 0. Wonderful!! We were once a successful team, but, no longer - and success, when it comes, is all the sweeter!
Thanks for the tip on tipping the usher - certainly would not have done so if it hadn't been suggested, as we've never tipped one at a football game, here - but then, none have ever wiped our seats!
THANKS to everybody - I'm sure we will enjoy the experience. I'm very excited about several things on our trip - the baseball, the chuckwagon and trail ride, the (Mississippi) riverboat trip. And, yesterday, I booked us into Caesars Palace. We have only one night in LV, but I just wanted to stay at CP, but the room prices had been too high - until yesterday!
I need to now go and look up the rules of baseball!
I have, in my hands, 3 tickets for the game at Petco on 29 June, printed out from the computer. Also a parking ticket for Padres Parkade. The seats are a bit 'on the flat', near the Padres bunker, so not sure how good they'll be. But we're very excited about going!
No doubt in my mind that it's probably a boring game. If it has innings, like cricket, then it has to be! I played rounders (very similar to baseball) at school and the game would end when the bell went for the next lesson! If the game at Petco goes on longer than a couple hours, I doubt we will see the end. BUT, we're going for the experience! We went to the 4th July rodeo in Cody in 2006, didn't understand the scoring or anything else, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'll report back with what we thought of it!
I've actually asked for an early check-in at our hotel (Marriott Coronado Resort) and I think we will leave PS early and try to get to the hotel, to (hopefully) offload our luggage, before we go to the game. I'm a little nervous about leaving all our stuff (luggage, laptop etc) in the trunk of the car and just parking it. Anyway, we'll see.
As for ManUre and Yankees and all big, successful teams ... I've got a 1995 FA Cup Final programme, framed and hanging on the wall, signed by the only scorer (Paul Rideout). Everton 1, ManU 0. Wonderful!! We were once a successful team, but, no longer - and success, when it comes, is all the sweeter!
Thanks for the tip on tipping the usher - certainly would not have done so if it hadn't been suggested, as we've never tipped one at a football game, here - but then, none have ever wiped our seats!
THANKS to everybody - I'm sure we will enjoy the experience. I'm very excited about several things on our trip - the baseball, the chuckwagon and trail ride, the (Mississippi) riverboat trip. And, yesterday, I booked us into Caesars Palace. We have only one night in LV, but I just wanted to stay at CP, but the room prices had been too high - until yesterday!
I need to now go and look up the rules of baseball!
Mar 23rd, 2008, 03:42 AM
#26
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PS - could somebody please point me to the quickest route from PS to SD? My map looks a bit of a maze and, if we had all day, we'd probably have diven down through the deserty bits. But I presume the quickest way is to take the interstate towards Riverside, then the 215 to Temecula and then the 15 into San Diego?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Mar 23rd, 2008, 04:30 AM
#27
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hetismij,
I have to disagree about the Liverpudlian "treble" in 2001. A team needs to win the league and 2 other prestigious cups in order to satisfy the true definition of a "treble".
They did not do that in 2001.
I have to disagree about the Liverpudlian "treble" in 2001. A team needs to win the league and 2 other prestigious cups in order to satisfy the true definition of a "treble".
They did not do that in 2001.
Mar 23rd, 2008, 05:01 AM
#28
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wby, the directions you have ps to sd sound right. i too agree with getting there early, especially with traffic. tho, i'm not a huge baseball fan anymore. if watching on tv, its like watching paint dry actually. i'd much rather see it live. i still have a poster signed by steve yeager, ron cey, and davey lopes of the dodgers. also had a schoolgirl crush on sy til he posed nude for playgirl, that ruined it for me.
Mar 23rd, 2008, 05:38 AM
#29
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wildblueyonder:
When you say near the Padres bunker, do you mean the dugout?? That is what the area where the team sits is called in America. Seats "on the flat near the Padres bunker??" Could actually be good seats if you are near the dugout.
dave
When you say near the Padres bunker, do you mean the dugout?? That is what the area where the team sits is called in America. Seats "on the flat near the Padres bunker??" Could actually be good seats if you are near the dugout.
dave
Mar 23rd, 2008, 06:55 AM
#30
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Yep, baseball games run 2 hr 15 mins to 3 hours or more on average. It's OK to come late and leave early, although as others have mentioned, it's fun to come early and see everything that happens beforehand.
As for the Yankees and their winning tradition: I'm no Yankee fan. Hate them in fact. But...
26 World Series Titles. 39 World Series apperances. 41 Hall of Famers. 21 League MVP's.
The record speaks for itself.
Go Tribe!!
As for the Yankees and their winning tradition: I'm no Yankee fan. Hate them in fact. But...
26 World Series Titles. 39 World Series apperances. 41 Hall of Famers. 21 League MVP's.
The record speaks for itself.
Go Tribe!!
Mar 23rd, 2008, 07:04 AM
#31
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I've been to many ball parks and 100s of games, literally, in many different eras, and the only time I have ever seen tipping attempts (seat wipe etc.) was one time and it was not well received (Wrigley/Cubs).
Honestly, I doubt except at some levels in clubhouse or where I will never deem to go, that tipping for ushering would be condoned in Chicago. Even in the boxes with dinner served etc. at Cellular Field (White Sox-Chicago) tipping is rare, and not for ushers.
Fans are very different in different USA cities. San Diego is a National League park and also, IMHO, they are slightly different feel altogether, as well. The games are usually shorter too, because of lack of DH position, and lower scoring on the average too.
The best fans are in the middle of the country. Best as not just fanatic, but friendly, hospitable and totally into baseball above all other sports.
St. Louis and Kansas City are two of these total baseball towns. But San Diego should give you a feel for a first time. Yankees wouldn't, IMHO. Not because of the lack of entertainment and game level, but because their fan base is not representative of baseball fan base as an "experience" to USA baseball.
They turn on their team verbally, and the feel is totally different there.
Honestly, I doubt except at some levels in clubhouse or where I will never deem to go, that tipping for ushering would be condoned in Chicago. Even in the boxes with dinner served etc. at Cellular Field (White Sox-Chicago) tipping is rare, and not for ushers.
Fans are very different in different USA cities. San Diego is a National League park and also, IMHO, they are slightly different feel altogether, as well. The games are usually shorter too, because of lack of DH position, and lower scoring on the average too.
The best fans are in the middle of the country. Best as not just fanatic, but friendly, hospitable and totally into baseball above all other sports.
St. Louis and Kansas City are two of these total baseball towns. But San Diego should give you a feel for a first time. Yankees wouldn't, IMHO. Not because of the lack of entertainment and game level, but because their fan base is not representative of baseball fan base as an "experience" to USA baseball.
They turn on their team verbally, and the feel is totally different there.
Mar 23rd, 2008, 09:48 AM
#34
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I have to jump in here to defend the great game of baseball. Going to a game is so much more than just sitting and watching the game. It's the crowd participation, the 7th inning stretch, cheering for your team to win, rooting for your favorite player, laughing with the people around you, eating hot dogs, cracker jack, ice cream and cotton candy.
I wouldn't worry about tipping - I really doubt it is expected at a Padres game. Also, if you are sitting on the Padres side, I wouldn't wear a Seattle Mariners shirt, nor cheer for the Mariners.
I wouldn't worry about tipping - I really doubt it is expected at a Padres game. Also, if you are sitting on the Padres side, I wouldn't wear a Seattle Mariners shirt, nor cheer for the Mariners.
Mar 23rd, 2008, 10:02 AM
#35
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I doubt except at some levels in clubhouse or where I will never deem to go, that tipping for ushering would be condoned in Chicago
We once went to a Yankees game at Yankee Stadium --- our seats were in the 5th row behind home plate. We attempted to tip the person delivering food and were told tipping was not permitted! (This was about 1996.
We once went to a Yankees game at Yankee Stadium --- our seats were in the 5th row behind home plate. We attempted to tip the person delivering food and were told tipping was not permitted! (This was about 1996.
Mar 23rd, 2008, 10:33 AM
#36
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Sorry to hijack your thread but may I ask a further question on the game. We are coming to the Sates from Scotland in July. We plan on seeing the Dodgers but the games seem to be scheduled over several days. What happens on each day, and is there a better day to go on? Also, where do you ideally want to sit at a game? Sorry for my ignorance
Mar 23rd, 2008, 10:38 AM
#37
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DinPa - yes I meant dugout - don't know why on earth I typed bunker!!!! The seats are in the front block, 35th row - a bit around from the dugout. "Field Box" it says. They look good to me, because I don't like heights!
BarbaraS
<I have to jump in here to defend the great game of baseball. Going to a game is so much more than just sitting and watching the game. It's the crowd participation, the 7th inning stretch, cheering for your team to win, rooting for your favorite player, laughing with the people around you, eating hot dogs, cracker jack, ice cream and cotton candy.>
Yep, this is exactly why we're going! This is similar to going to a soccer game here (although, alas, that pleasure is increasingly becoming too expensive for the average fan).
<I wouldn't wear a Seattle Mariners shirt, nor cheer for the Mariners.>
No - wouldn't do that! We won't be cheering for anybody, I don't expect - we're not Mariners fans (although we do like Seattle very much).
I don't think we'll tip.
Thanks again to everybody for their input - a very interesting and enlightening thread!
BarbaraS
<I have to jump in here to defend the great game of baseball. Going to a game is so much more than just sitting and watching the game. It's the crowd participation, the 7th inning stretch, cheering for your team to win, rooting for your favorite player, laughing with the people around you, eating hot dogs, cracker jack, ice cream and cotton candy.>
Yep, this is exactly why we're going! This is similar to going to a soccer game here (although, alas, that pleasure is increasingly becoming too expensive for the average fan).
<I wouldn't wear a Seattle Mariners shirt, nor cheer for the Mariners.>
No - wouldn't do that!
We won't be cheering for anybody, I don't expect - we're not Mariners fans (although we do like Seattle very much).I don't think we'll tip.
Thanks again to everybody for their input - a very interesting and enlightening thread!
Mar 23rd, 2008, 11:02 AM
#39
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Wild Blue - you'll have more fun if you cheer for a team - a friendly little wager always increases my interest in a game!
Andy - I love warm summer nights, so I'd choose a night game. You can also choose based on the promotion for the night. http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/sc...ns.jsp?c_id=la I see July 12 is fireworks night, that would be a fun night to go.
Andy - I love warm summer nights, so I'd choose a night game. You can also choose based on the promotion for the night. http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/sc...ns.jsp?c_id=la I see July 12 is fireworks night, that would be a fun night to go.
Mar 23rd, 2008, 12:54 PM
#40
Sounds like excellent seats.
Yes, you do tip the usher if he/she wipes off your seat. $1 for 1 or two people or $2 for two to four people, in my group. It is the custom. Even my father did it. Last time I had an usher do that was at PNC Park in Pittsburgh - in the upper deck behind home plate. At Anaheim Stadium, upper deck, they just point the way.
The place you are going to is a ballpark. The field they play on is a field, a ball field, not a "grounds".
Root, root, root, for the home team.
Yes, you do tip the usher if he/she wipes off your seat. $1 for 1 or two people or $2 for two to four people, in my group. It is the custom. Even my father did it. Last time I had an usher do that was at PNC Park in Pittsburgh - in the upper deck behind home plate. At Anaheim Stadium, upper deck, they just point the way.
The place you are going to is a ballpark. The field they play on is a field, a ball field, not a "grounds".
Root, root, root, for the home team.
