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My 2001 Baseball Journey- The Possible Route

I realize I may have to switch a few because of schedules (hopefully not). So, any suggestions or maybe I should switch a few? Here's the most EFFICIENT way I came up with: STARTING POINT: My House Pittsburgh (PNC PARK) Baltimore (Oriole Park @ Camden Yards) Philadelphia (Veterans Stadium) New York [Mets] (Shea Stadium) New York [Yankees] (Yankee Stadium) Boston (Fenway Park) Montreal (LABATT PARK) Toronto (The SkyDome) Detroit (NEW TIGER STADIUM) Cincinnati (Cinergy Field) Chicago [White Sox] (Comiskey Park) Chicago [Cubs] (Wrigley Field) Milwaukee (MILLER PARK) Minnesota (The Metrodome) St. Louis (Busch Stadium) Kansas City (Kauffman Stadium) Colorado (Coors Field) Seattle (SAFECO FIELD) San Francisco (PACIFIC BELL PARK) Oakland (OAKLAND ALAMEDA COUNTY COLISEUM) Anaheim (Edison International Field) Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium) San Diego (Qualcomm Stadium) Arizona (BankOne Ballpark) Houston (THE BALLPARK @ UNION STATION) Tampa Bay (Tropicana Field) Florida (Pro Player Park) Atlanta (Turner Field) Ending Point: Cleveland (Jacobs Field)

Matt: You have arranged your trip according to the most effcient routing. However there is one thing you have to consider and that is the weather. You have put all of the cold weather locations in April and the warm weather locations in the latter part of the season. I would do it in reverse. You don't want to to spend a lot of money and have the game snowed out which can happen in some of the sites. I would tour the warm areas and covered stadiums in April. Other than that your big job is yet to come. That is coordinating your trip with the schedule. You are going to have a lot of fun and I really wish I could go along.

Please Note: Because in 2001 I will only be a Senior in High School, I plan on leaving for Pittsburgh around June 11, 2001, that's the big day. (Hopefully the schedule will favor that) But, I will only be 18 then, and will be leaving in June, and coming back around Late July-Early August. Thanks, Matt Lupica

Matt: I have been following your two posts regarding this trip. It sounds like a great undertaking, and I hope you are able to make it come true. What you haven't mentioned yet, is how you plan on getting from city to city. Flying, driving, taking the bus? Unless you're flying, I think your mid-June to early August timetable is rather optimistic. Even then the big league schedule may still work against you. For example, say you get to LA at the start of a Dodger homestand of 8 or 9 games. I can assure you the Angels will be on the road all those days. Even if you drive to SD and SF to take in those teams, you still have about a week of waiting for the A's Angels, and Mariners to get back home. Generally, here on the West Coast, when the NL teams are home, the AL teams are on the road. I remember trying to plan a baseball trip just including Minn, Mil, White Sox, Cubs, Detroit, Cin, and Cleveland. I had to start and end in Cleveland. No matter how I worked the timing, and driving, I couldn't get a Cubs or Cinn game in, because of the schedule. I think you probably better plan on your trip taking the rest of the season. In general, assuming flying, and no schedule conflicts, and starting in Pittsburgh, I take care of the Canadian teams first, then go to Boston, then down the East Coast, down to Florida, across the southern US to Cal, taken in the West Coast teams end up in Seattle, then Colorado, then Kc, StL, Cinn, finish up with the teams around the Great Lakes, and end in Cleveland. Good luck in your planning, and good luck in making this come true!!!

Matt, Keep in mind that some parks may be sold out for certain games. You may arrive at a destination, only to discover that the two games you can attend are completely sold out. Tickets at Camden Yards can be especially hard to come by. But don't let that discourage you. It sounds like an interesting trip!

Hey Everyone, Once again, I would like to thank everyone for replying. I will be Driving to each city, and it can be completed in less then 60 days. Ray Bergman, writer of Around the Majors in 60 days did it, so I believe 100% I can do it. My plan is to order tickets whenever they first come out, mainly after I look at the schedule and incorporate the route. UGH! This is tough, but it's also a challenge, and I love challenges. But, I know in the end, it will payoff. If anyone has any SPECIFIC questions for me, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] Thanks, Matt Lupica

One suggestion is to use the Internet as much as possible. You can order your tickets on line and find out all that you need to know.

I have been to Camden Yards and it is an awesome ballpark. What you could do is get there two hours before game time when the gate opens for the standing room only section opens over the right field fence and get there as early as possible to get in the front. Its only a few bucks for these tickets. ESPN Sportszone just opened near the ballpark and that is a must see. Good Luck Matt

Matt, You might try writing to all the ball clubs now and telling them what you want to do. They might be willing to set aside tickets for you in advance. Good luck and have fun. It sounds like a great trip.