Robert's Sportscast - 6/19

Today's game was between the visiting Houston Astros and the home Tampa Bay Rays. The final score was the Rays 5 to the Astros 0. It was a close game, being 2-0 until the 7th inning when the Rays hit back-to-back home runs by Kiermaier and Longoria. The winning pitcher was Archer for the Rays and the losing pitcher was Mchugh.

We saw a few ex A's players there, including Chris Carter (Astros DH), and Grant Balfour who is the Rays closer. He made an appearance in the 9th inning to close the game, even though it was not a closing situation. The Astros just were not able to get many hits, and they certainly were not able to piece them together to score any runs.

In total they had only three singles, and three walks. The Astros also struck out 11 times, two of which were looking. At this stadium they had an advertisement give away, so if the Rays struck out 10 or more players everyone in the stadium could get a free pizza coupon. During this game, the Rays were led by an amazingly pitched game by Archer, and he was backed up by 5 runs. The Rays had 5 singles, one double, and two home runs -which were back to back.

This game was quite exiting to watch, as there was a significant amount of good defense plays as well as a lot of long outs. I think there were at least 5 balls that were hit to the warning track by both teams combined. Also during the game the 9th batter for the Rays, Hanigan, suicide squeezed in the 4th inning. This leads me to make him the player of the game, along with the suicide squeeze he got on three other times -one by a walk and two of them were base hit singles. He also scored a run in the 7th. My player of the game for the Astros was the pitcher Mchugh. Even though he ended up with a loss, his appearance was quite deceiving. He was able to keep the Rays on their toes with an extremely nasty curveball and a fast cutter that the batters seemed to not catch up to.

Carter's Mascot Report - 6/19

Raymond is a fun mascot who likes to get everyone all riled up. When someone ignores him, he'll walk behind the person and then lift up his shirt in a taunting sort of matter. He also likes to pose for pictures with fans. At one point of the game, he lifted a fan and cradled her in his arms for a photo!

Here is Raymond lip-syncing "Don't Stop Believing"

DJ Kitty is a great kind of mascot, far calmer than Raymond. You don't see him much in the seats, he tends to stay in the hallways and take pictures with adoring fans. You tend to see DJ Kitty on shirts, bobble heads, and key chains, rather than on the field.

Rays 6/19

Welcome to sunny Tropicana Field!  

You can't tell from this picture, but it's actually raining!

The fabric dome is amazing!

During the game we nicknamed it The Thunder Dome (you can guess why!)

The seating area of Tropicana reminds us a lot of the Arena at the Oakland Coliseum.

It is an intimate-feeling stadium, and a very pleasant place to watch a game with constant 72 degree air-conditioning and no chance of rain-outs.  

The concession and activity areas are all away from the field of play, in back hallways.

These areas resemble a cross between an airport and an aquarium.

   

And the stingray touch-pool really added to the aquarium effect.

But it was a fun theme-centered attraction, not found at other parks.

 Like most small-market teams, the Rays do a lot to support (if not entertain) their fans.  

Here are some examples we have not seen before:

• National Anthem in sign-language
• a special suite for foster children and adoption events
• donated tickets to veterans
• in addition to the "play ball" kid, the Rays also have a kid bring the official ball and rosin bag to the mound
• at batting practice, ushers blow a whistle to warn people of incoming balls
• at selected games, there is a free concert following the game.  This Saturday's game is the OJ's
• soft-drink cup covers

The Rays stadium shows they have a sense of humor, and the jokes continue during play, with puns like, "Rays the roof," and "go cRayzy"  There is very little in-between-innings entertainment.  But very little is needed.  There was so little time between innings we wondered if the game was even televised.

Although the Rays home park lacked some of the amenities we usually look for in a ballpark, we, surprisingly, really enjoyed our game here at Tropicana Field.

Next stop:  Schrader's Little Cooperstown

Carter's Mascot Report - 6/16

Homer is an energetic, fun mascot. You don't see him very often, but when you do it's grand! We noticed that when you take a picture with him, while wearing the visiting team's hat, he'll take his own hat off and put it over yours. He always seems to be near the fun at the ballpark. All in all, Homer is a pretty fun mascot!

Robert's Sportscast - 6/16

Today's game was the visiting Philadelphia Phillies against the home Atlanta Braves. The final score resulted in the Phillies win 6-1. However, this score was very misleading to the actual events.

In the bottom of the ninth inning the Phillies were ahead 1-0 when Justin Upton led the inning off with a single followed by two more singles by Johnson and Simmons. The Braves were unable to get another run across the plate in the ninth, so we went to extra innings. This ended in the 13th inning, when the Phillies were able to score 5 runs that inning, the result of three singles, three walks, and a triple.

The winning pitcher was Bastardo and the losing pitcher was Hale. Papelbon, the Phillies closer, was charged with a blown save.

Not only was this game exciting, but it was extremely long lasting 5 hours 10 minutes. A total of 23,900 people came to today's game, even though only a few hundred remained to the very last out.

In the game the Phillies had 11 singles, 4 walks, 1 triple, and a home run by Howard. Even though the Braves only managed one run, they had 9 singles, 5 walks, two doubles and a triple.

The player of the game, in my opinion, was Ryan Howard, who was able to hit a home run in the second inning -which turned out to be the only run until the 13th inning.

The player of the game for the Braves was -hands down- Freddie Freeman, who was a home-run shy of the cycle.

Overall, it was a long  and hot, but enjoyable day at the Braves stadium. Although they could not get the victory, they played very well. They just were not able to piece the hits together.

Braves 6/16

Turner Field

In a word?

"unremarkable"

Well, we made it to Turner Field, home of the Braves. 

The field has a nice layout, with good views of the field from all sections.  Even the bleachers in this stadium are good seats. And the chairs angle toward home plate, so you don't have to strain your neck to see the batter.  Because there is not a lot of foul-ball territory, and the first row of seats is nearly at the level of the playing field, Turner Field has an intimate feel.  There is also a great view of the city from the upper level near their version of a giant Coke can.

The diamond-vision at Turner Field is very large, and the production-value is really good (duh!  It's a Turner company!)

There is a lot of pomp to begin a game, and every strikeout is rewarded by firworks.

People were so nice, and very helpful.   curious, not offended or put off, with our A's gear. Especially this guy.

This is Carter.  

And you already know the short one!

Unfortunately, the stadium is getting old and is starting to look run down, especially in the tunnels and hallways.  Most concessions are located in dark hallways, and there is not much of a food selection to choose from. The seats are small and close together, with not much leg-room.  There are not a lot of activities for children, and those they do have, require a $2.00 token. You even need a token for the hall of Braves history museum.  And a soda costs $8.00!  (but does come with a refill)   

Despite the impressive screen, Turner Field's idea of in-between inning entertainment consists mostly of straight-forward audience cam. They just turn the cameras on the crowd, and wait for folks to ham it up. And boy do they!  Atlantans seem to love to see themselves on the big screen!

Some notable exceptions:

pop-fly catch contest
"throwin' gas" (pitching contest)
stolen base challenge (yes, they actually take the base home!)
a couple of quiz games
and, of course, the Home Depot tool race!

And that Tomahawk Chop? After EVERY hit! ...only a tradition a TRUE Braves fan can appreciate. In the unforgettable words of Carter, "It was annoying!"

Have you ever wondered how a wave starts? Well we now know! They begin with bored ushers! (We saw it happen with our own eyes!)

No, we aren't the Braves biggest fan.  But we did enjoy our visit to park #27.  

Rays on Thursday!

Atlanta

We are enjoying our trip so far.  Very relaxing, lots of pool time, and some sightseeing too!  Here are some highlights:

Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Historic Sites

Yes, it was amazing, educational, and very inspirational.  A MUST-SEE in Atlanta!

MLK Birth home

final resting place

MLK museum

A museum, now.  New church is across the street.

Sky View Atlanta

A view of Atlanta for Fathers' Day!

Quite a view!

Yes, Ann rode it, too.

 Coca Cola World

Yep!  An entire museum/amusement park dedicated to Coke!  They say the secret formula (known to only two people in the world) is housed here.  No, they didn't let us see it :(

Although it was lots of fun to play around in cola-land, we left feeling like we had participated in an afternoon-long infomercial!  

Did I mention that you can sample 65 different 

varieties of  Coca Cola products from around the world?  

...Burp!

It left me feeling a bit like this!

Carter Center!

Did you know that Carter has his own center?  He was so proud, he  bought a commemorative hat!

Here he is, looking very presidential!

CNN Center

 THIS is CNN!

TONIGHT is our Atlanta Braves vs. Phillies game.  Stay tuned for our post!