Now that the tentative 2009 schedules are out I have gone through them and come up with a plan for our All the Ballparks trip next summer. As of right now I have it planned that we see a game at every ballpark, but it is possible that some may get rained out, etc., so the possibility of substituting tours for games is still the fall back to see all the ballparks.
May 9, 2009: Drive from Tucson to Phoenix, see Cactus League Exhibit at Mesa Historical Museum, and 5:10pm Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Washington Nationals and Drive back to Tucson
May 21, 2009: Drive from Tucson to San Diego
May 22, 2009: 7:05pm San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs
May 23, 2009: Drive from San Diego to Los Angeles and 7:10pm Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
May 24, 2009: Dad's 50th Birthday, Disneyland, Dad gets in free due to 2009 birthday promotion
May 25, 2009: 6:05pm Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Chicago White Sox
May 26, 2009: Drive from Los Angeles to Oakland and 7:05pm Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners
May 27, 2009: 7:15pm San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves
May 28, 2009: Drive from San Francisco to Redwood National Park
May 29, 2009: Redwood National Park
May 30, 2009: Drive from Redwood National Park to Seattle
May 31, 2009: Stay in Seattle
June 1, 2009: 7:10pm Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles
June 2, 2009: Drive from Seattle to Bismark
June 3, 2009: Drive from Bismark to Fargo, Roger Maris Museum, and Drive from Fargo to Minneapolis
June 4, 2009: 12:10pm Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians and Drive from Minneapolis to Chicago
June 5, 2009: 7:11pm Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians
June 6, 2009: Drive from Chicago to St. Louis and 6:15pm St. Louis Cardinals vs. Colorado Rockies
June 7, 2009: Drive to Field of Dreams, Dyersville, Iowa and Drive back to Chicago
June 8, 2009: Stay in Chicago
June 9, 2009: Drive from Chicago to Milwaukee and 7:05pm Milwaukee Brewers vs. Colorado Rockies and Drive from Milwaukee to Chicago
June 10, 2009: Start Driving from Chicago to Denver
June 11, 2009: Stay in Denver
June 12, 2009: 7:10pm Colorado Rockies vs. Seattle Mariners
June 13, 2009: Drive from Denver to Kansas City
June 14, 2009: 1:10pm Kansas City Royals vs. Cincinnati Reds
June 15, 2009: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and Drive from Kansas City to Cincinnati
June 16, 2009: Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum and 7:10pm Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves
June 17, 2009: Drive from Cincinnati to Cleveland and 7:05pm Cleveland Indians vs. Milwaukee Brewers
June 18, 2009: Drive from Sandusky to Chicago
June 19, 2009: 1:20pm Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians
June 20, 2009: Drive from Chicago to Detroit and 4:05pm Detroit Tigers vs. Milwaukee Brewers
June 21, 2009: Drive from Detroit to Louisville and Louisville Slugger Museum
June 22, 2009: Drive from Louisville to Pittsburgh
June 23, 2009: Mik's 15th birthday, 7:05pm Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cleveland Indians
June 24, 2009: Drive from Pittsburgh to Williamsport and Little League Hall of Fame and Drive from Williamsport to Niagara Falls
June 25, 2009: Niagara Falls
June 26, 2009: Drive from Niagara Falls to St. Marys, Ontario and Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Drive from St. Marys to Toronto
June 27, 2009: 1:07pm Toronto Blue Jays vs. Philadelphia Phillies
June 28, 2009: Drive from Toronto to Cooperstown
June 29, 2009: Baseball Hall of Fame
June 30, 2009: Drive from Cooperstown to New York City
July 1, 2009: 7:05pm New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners
July 2, 2009: Drive from New York City to Boston
July 3, 2009: 7:10pm Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners and Drive from Boston to Saco, Maine
July 4, 2009: Drive through New Hampshire and Vermont and Stay in East Dummerston, Vermont
July 5, 2009: Drive from Dummerston to Little Falls, New Jersey and Yogi Berra Museum and Drive from Little Falls to Fort Lee, NJ
July 6, 2009: Sports Museum of America
July 7, 2008: 7:10pm New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
July 8, 2009: Drive from New York City to Philadelphia and 7:05pm Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds
July 9, 2009: Drive from Philadelphia to Baltimore
July 10, 2009: Babe Ruth Museum and 7:05pm Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays
July 11, 2009: Drive from Baltimore to Anderson, SC
July 12, 2009: Stay in Anderson
July 13, 2009: Drive from Anderson to Royston, GA and Ty Cobb Museum and Drive from Royston to Cartersville
July 14, 2009: World of Coca Cola Museum
July 15, 2009: Stay in Cartersville
July 16, 2009: 7pm Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets
July 17, 2009: Drive from Cartersville to D.C.
July 18, 2009: 7:05pm Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs
July 19, 2009: Drive from Fredericksburg to Houston
July 20, 2009: Arrive in Houston
July 21, 2009: Nolan Ryan Museum and 7:05pm Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
July 22, 2009: Drive from Houston to Arlington, TX and 7:05pm Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox
July 23, 2009: Legends of the Game Museum and Drive from Arlington, TX to Choctaw, OK
July 24, 2009: Softball Amateur Museum and Drive from Oklahoma City towards Tampa Bay
July 25, 2009: Arrive in Tampa Bay
July 26, 2009: Stay in St. Petersburg
July 27, 2009: 7:08pm Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees and Ted Williams Museum inside Stadium
July 28, 2009: Drive from St. Petersburg to Loxahatchee
July 29, 2009: 7:10pm Florida Marlins vs. Atlanta
July 30, 2009: Drive home from Loxahatchee to Tucson
July 31, 2009: Continue Drive Home
August 1, 2009: Arrive Home
*Updated January 26, 2009 to add the Cactus League Exhibit on May 9, 2009
*Updated February 24, 2009 to add game times that are now known
See Final Plan here.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Nats Final Home Game Rained Out
Today I went to the final Nationals game of the 2008 season. I was really hoping to actually see a live game, but the game ended up being canceled because of rain, which by the way was for the most part pretty minimal sprinkling. I did wait around for the two hours it took them to call the game canceled and watched the Cubs game, which they put up on the big scoreboard screen, but that is not as good as a live game. Oh well, maybe, they will let me trade the tickets in for 2009 game tickets or at least give me a refund since they certainly did not do anything. See my post about the rain out on my D.C. blog here.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Florida Marlins @ Washington Nationals Game Wrap Up
Today I went to the Nats game with my mom since she could be here today, but will not be able to stay for the final home game of the season on Thursday, which I have tickets to. Today ended up being a good choice. For one, it was T-shirt Tuesday and I now have two Final Homestand of the 2008 Inaugural Season t-shirts. Secondly, the Nationals actually won. It was an overall good game and way more enjoyable as a Nats fan than Sunday's game. Read my full wrap up on my D.C. blog here. Also, click on the thumbnail photos below to see the whole gallery of photos I took at the game.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Padres @ Nats Game Wrap Up
Today I went to the Padres @ Nationals game as the final game that came in my partial season ticket package. It was not a good game if you are a Nats fan like me, as the Nats lost 6-2, but at least they got on the board including a home run by Ryan Zimmerman. Plus, I picked up my free leftover promo item of a Panda Webkinz. Also, blogging from my phone worked out good. Anyways, I have a more full game wrap up on my D.C. blog here.
Click thumbnails below to see the whole gallery of photos I took at the game.
Click thumbnails below to see the whole gallery of photos I took at the game.
Padres @ Nationals and Testing Blogging from my iPhone
decided it was a good time to see how well it works sending blog
entries from my phone since next summer of may be hard to post using
my laptop sometimes. Basically this is just a pre-game test post with
picture from my seat. Will probably post the post game wrap up from
laptop when I get back to hotel after the game.
Go Nats!!!!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Washington Nationals Picnic in the Park
This season I had Nationals Season Tickets, which my parents got me for my birthday last year. Today there was a Season Ticket holder event at the Nationals Park. It was not all that interesting, but there was autograph stations with pretty minimal lines and I got some autographs of some Nats players and the pitching coach. They also had photo stations, but I did not really care about waiting in line for that. I am definitely more excited about going to the Padres game tomorrow and the final home game on Thursday.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Take Me Out to the Ballgame Stamps
The U.S. Postal Service released a new baseball themed stamp last month on July 16, 2008. It is titled Take Me Out to the Ballgame and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the song that is now traditionally sung during the 7th inning stretch. The stamp was designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona.
The stamp is pretty cool looking with the 42 cent marking on the top inside a baseball. The scene on the stamp is a historic looking scene of a pitcher and the rest of the field and players smaller in the background. The scene is framed by the words "Take Me Out to the Ballgame. In small numbers on the bottom left is the year 1908 and the bottom right is the year 2008.
The stamp is pretty cool looking with the 42 cent marking on the top inside a baseball. The scene on the stamp is a historic looking scene of a pitcher and the rest of the field and players smaller in the background. The scene is framed by the words "Take Me Out to the Ballgame. In small numbers on the bottom left is the year 1908 and the bottom right is the year 2008.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Diego Padres Game Wrap Up
Last night we went to Petco Park to see a game as something to do while in San Diego for a family reunion. Partly went because we love going to baseball games and mostly because Mik's favorite team was in town. The Diamondbacks lost, but it was still a pretty exciting game with lots of scoring. I was a little disappointed that Jon Rauch, who was recently traded to the Diamondbacks from the Nationals and is the tallest Major League Baseball player ever, did not pitch at all.
The Padres got on the board with a 2-run home run by Khalil Greene in the 2nd inning. The Diamondbacks then came back in the 3rd with a 3-run home run by Montero. The Padres put the game out of reach, though, with a 9 batter inning that included a 3-run home run and a total of 6 runs. The Diamondbacks kept the Padres from scoring the rest of the game, but were only able to get 1 more run in the 6th themselves. Thus the Padres won 8-4.
Overall this was a fun game, but we did have some annoying people behind us and distractions of security coming by several times to confiscate alcohol that group brought in. Plus they were using a lot of foul language and we certainly did not appreciate them using that foul language to bash the Diamondbacks. I do not care if people root for their own team, but I do not think it is ever appropriate to bash other teams and I think the players themselves can agree with that.
Also, Petco Park is one confusing ballpark that is pretty horrible for being among the new ballparks. I remember sitting next to the building in the left outfield the first year it was open and we could not even see the scoreboard. We could see it this time from the Right Outfield seats, but getting there with Mik in his wheelchair took us quite some time and involved us going up and down elevators and up ramps. I did not mind too much since we got like a small tour of the ballpark, but it is sad that the three ushers gave us bad directions and the signs are not at all clear about where the elevators are at for specific sections.
See more photos I took at the game here.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Iowa Cubs @ Tucson Sidewinders Game Wrap Up
Yesterday my dad and I went to the final Thirsty Thursday ever for the Tucson Sidewinders. We mainly went to get at least one more game in before the end of their 40th and final season in Tucson, as next season they will be moved to Reno, Nevada. We almost went to the game on Tuesday, but decided it would be cheaper to go Thursday with the $1 sodas and beer. Big mistake the more expensive drinks would have been worth it because it would have meant less annoying drunks in our section and beer would not have been spilled from the row behind us stockpile onto my bag.
Anyways it was not an enjoyable game atmosphere wise, but the baseball action was at least eventful. The Iowa Cubs basically slaughtered the Sidewinders by winning 15 to 7, but at least the Sidewinders did hit a Grand Slam in the 3rd inning and that is the first one I have ever seen in person.
I love going to the AAA games since it is a local team and will definitely miss having a team. I can remember going to them as early as 1994 when we moved to Tucson and the team was the Tucson Toros playing at Hi Corbett Field. Since then they became the Sidewinders, we got two more Major League teams Spring Training here, and we have had a professional softball team. The softball team failed after its 2nd year (the league is still going well, just the AZ team failed). The Sidewinders are being moved away and the White Sox are moving their Spring Training to the Phoenix area. Basically it is sad that baseball action is quickly diminishing here, but at least there is at least some Spring Training action staying here.
Anyways it was not an enjoyable game atmosphere wise, but the baseball action was at least eventful. The Iowa Cubs basically slaughtered the Sidewinders by winning 15 to 7, but at least the Sidewinders did hit a Grand Slam in the 3rd inning and that is the first one I have ever seen in person.
I love going to the AAA games since it is a local team and will definitely miss having a team. I can remember going to them as early as 1994 when we moved to Tucson and the team was the Tucson Toros playing at Hi Corbett Field. Since then they became the Sidewinders, we got two more Major League teams Spring Training here, and we have had a professional softball team. The softball team failed after its 2nd year (the league is still going well, just the AZ team failed). The Sidewinders are being moved away and the White Sox are moving their Spring Training to the Phoenix area. Basically it is sad that baseball action is quickly diminishing here, but at least there is at least some Spring Training action staying here.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Backyard Baseball 2009 for Nintendo Wii
I tried this game out today and thought it would be something good baseball related to post about on this blog, as I do not have any updates to the trip planning at this time.
I am not much into playing baseball video games because I find them too complex, especially on most console gaming systems, however, I have been a fan of Backyard Baseball for years. I used to play it on my computer, but stopped when the version I had no longer worked on my newer operating system. When I saw the Wii version it seemed like it could be an interesting way to play it.
It was fun for a little while, but it is not as good as the computer versions I have played. The graphics are not any better after all these years and the Major League player selection continues to disappoint me even though it has gotten better. The one thing I do like is the controls have remained relatively simple. The thing is, though, that it does not use the Wii sensor capabilities much at all. You do not even swing it like your batting, but rather just flick it in the same motion as pitching.
Overall it is more enjoyable than Wii Sports Baseball, as you actually get to control your fielding and there are some fun batting and pitching power ups. It is, however, not all that amazing and only worth actually purchasing if you find it for under $20. I for one I am glad I just rented it and did not buy it. I think the computer versions of this game remain great, but their move to the console has yet to create a parallel quality playing experience.
I am not much into playing baseball video games because I find them too complex, especially on most console gaming systems, however, I have been a fan of Backyard Baseball for years. I used to play it on my computer, but stopped when the version I had no longer worked on my newer operating system. When I saw the Wii version it seemed like it could be an interesting way to play it.
It was fun for a little while, but it is not as good as the computer versions I have played. The graphics are not any better after all these years and the Major League player selection continues to disappoint me even though it has gotten better. The one thing I do like is the controls have remained relatively simple. The thing is, though, that it does not use the Wii sensor capabilities much at all. You do not even swing it like your batting, but rather just flick it in the same motion as pitching.
Overall it is more enjoyable than Wii Sports Baseball, as you actually get to control your fielding and there are some fun batting and pitching power ups. It is, however, not all that amazing and only worth actually purchasing if you find it for under $20. I for one I am glad I just rented it and did not buy it. I think the computer versions of this game remain great, but their move to the console has yet to create a parallel quality playing experience.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Baseball Smashed Penny Locations
One of the things I have collected over the years is smashed pennies. I tend to just find them along the way when traveling. Having found many over the past week on a cave road trip I thought for next summer's All the Ballparks Road Trip I am actually going to look up what places have smashed pennies. Thus today I went through the Penny Collector Location Database and found all the baseball related penny locations as listed below.
Chase Field/Bank One Ballpark - There used to be a machine here with Randy Johnson, Curt Shilling, Luis Gonzalez, and 2001 World Series pennies, but it has been removed for being out of date. Not a big loss to me, though, since I do already have at least most if not all of those smashed pennies.
Mickey Baseball Player @ Disneyland Paradise Pier Hotel - Do not know if I will get around to getting this one on the trip, but figured I would include because it is baseball themed. Actually think I have this one, but not sure since I know I did not get it at Paradise Pier Hotel.
ESPN Zone at Disneyland Downtown Disney - Another one I probably will not get to one this trip, but including it because it has Los Angeles Dodger and Los Angeles Angels pennies.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - This machine has Angels Logo, Go Angels Rally Monkey, Angels #27, and The A Team! Anaheim Angels pennies.
Dodger Stadium - This one has 2 current machines, as well as two retired machines. The current machines pennies are Dodger Stadium, Bat and Ball L.A. Dodgers Baseball, Heart L.A. Dodgers, Dodgers Fan, Player Dodgers Baseball, Dodger Baseball Established 1958, Dodgers Logo, and My Lucky L.A. Dodgers Penny.
Giants Baseball Stadium - They used to have an Old Navy Splash Landing penny with the name of the series on the other side, but it was removed when the park changed names from SBC Park to the current name of AT & T Park.
Safeco Field - This machine has three different Seattle Mariners logo designs and a Safeco Field penny.
Coors Field - This park used to have two, but now only has one machine, which is better than nothing. This machine has Colorado Rockies logo, Rockies Lucky Penny, Colorado Rockies Baseball Club, and Dinosaur Colorado Rockies penny designs.
Busch Stadium - This park seems to have gone through a lot of different machines between the self serve and attended ones. I have some of the retired ones. The current self serve machine has St. Louis Cardinals mascot, Busch Stadium Est. 2006, St. Louis Arch Cardinals Baseball, and St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Logo pennies. There seems to be a new attended machine every year, so who knows what it will have next year if there even is one.
ESPN Zone Chicago - Will probably try and stop in here for the pennies when in Chicago. They have a Chicago Cubs penny and a Chicago White Sox penny.
Comisky Park - They used to have a machine here, but no longer do.
Wrigley Field - The machine here has three Chicago Cubs logo designs and a Wrigley Field design.
Navy Pier - Should be easy to get over here since we will be staying right next to here when in Chicago. They have a machine with a White Sox design.
Miller's Park - This machine has a Milwaukee Brewers logo design, Mascot design, and two Miller Park designs.
Comerica Park - This park has two machines. Designs include Tigers Number 1, Established 1901 Tigers Logo, Tigers Lucky Penny, Detroit is Tiger Town, Heart Tigers, Tigers Logo, and Comerica Park Home of 2005 All Star Game.
Railcats Baseball - This penny in Gary, Indiana, is one we will not be getting, but thought I would include it since I noticed it.
UPMC Sports Works at Carnegie Center: They have some baseball science exhibits and maybe we will go if we have some free time in Pittsburgh. One of the penny designs is of a baseball.
PNC Park - This machies has Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Logo The Way Baseball Should Be Played, PNC Park Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park Logo, and Pirate Logo pennies.
Progressive Field - This machine has some famous Indian player, Indian Logo, Jacob's Field, and Cleveland Indians designs. I kind of wonder if it is really still there, though, since it is no longer Jacob's Field.
Cooperstown - There are two what I think are stores in Cooperstown that have penny machines with Hall of Fame and baseball designs. Will probably try and stop to get the pennies. One place is called National Pasttime and the other is Pioneer Sports Cards Store.
Fenway Park - This machine has two Boston Red Sox logo designs, a mascot design, and a Fenway Park design.
Yankee Stadium - They do currently have a machine, but with there being a new ballpark next year it potentially will not be there. Current designs are Yankee Stadium Logo, Yankee Stadium 1923 - 2008, New York Yankees Est. 1903, and All Star Yankee Stadium design.
ESPN Zone New York City - This place has a penny for each of the New York baseball teams, but I doubt we will try to get to this ESPN Zone just for the pennies.
Shea Stadium - Another one that potentially will not be there next year when they have a new stadium. The designs are Mr. Met, Mets Logo, Mets NY Logo, and New York City Skyline "Ya Gotta Believe."
Citizen's Bank Ballpark - There used to be a machine here, but it has been removed.
ESPN Zone Baltimore - They have an Orioles penny here, but probably will not get it.
Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum - They have four Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum designs here.
Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards - This machine has three Sports Legends Museum designs and a Camden Yards design.
Camden Yards - This one has a ballplayer design, ship design, mascot design, and Orioles Park at Camden Yards design.
Nationals Park - Oh, I am so annoyed I went to at least five games in the first month of the season at the new ballpark this year and never noticed they had a machine in the Strike Zone area. Anyways they have four designs and I hope to get them when I go to the end of regular season games in September this year.
Turner Field - The four designs here are Turner Field Established 1997, Mascot, Atlanta Braves 1966, and Braves Logo.
Minute Maid Park - The four designs here are Houston Astros with Texas Outline, Houston Astros with Train, Houston Astros pennant, and Ballpark.
Chase Field/Bank One Ballpark - There used to be a machine here with Randy Johnson, Curt Shilling, Luis Gonzalez, and 2001 World Series pennies, but it has been removed for being out of date. Not a big loss to me, though, since I do already have at least most if not all of those smashed pennies.
Mickey Baseball Player @ Disneyland Paradise Pier Hotel - Do not know if I will get around to getting this one on the trip, but figured I would include because it is baseball themed. Actually think I have this one, but not sure since I know I did not get it at Paradise Pier Hotel.
ESPN Zone at Disneyland Downtown Disney - Another one I probably will not get to one this trip, but including it because it has Los Angeles Dodger and Los Angeles Angels pennies.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - This machine has Angels Logo, Go Angels Rally Monkey, Angels #27, and The A Team! Anaheim Angels pennies.
Dodger Stadium - This one has 2 current machines, as well as two retired machines. The current machines pennies are Dodger Stadium, Bat and Ball L.A. Dodgers Baseball, Heart L.A. Dodgers, Dodgers Fan, Player Dodgers Baseball, Dodger Baseball Established 1958, Dodgers Logo, and My Lucky L.A. Dodgers Penny.
Giants Baseball Stadium - They used to have an Old Navy Splash Landing penny with the name of the series on the other side, but it was removed when the park changed names from SBC Park to the current name of AT & T Park.
Safeco Field - This machine has three different Seattle Mariners logo designs and a Safeco Field penny.
Coors Field - This park used to have two, but now only has one machine, which is better than nothing. This machine has Colorado Rockies logo, Rockies Lucky Penny, Colorado Rockies Baseball Club, and Dinosaur Colorado Rockies penny designs.
Busch Stadium - This park seems to have gone through a lot of different machines between the self serve and attended ones. I have some of the retired ones. The current self serve machine has St. Louis Cardinals mascot, Busch Stadium Est. 2006, St. Louis Arch Cardinals Baseball, and St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Logo pennies. There seems to be a new attended machine every year, so who knows what it will have next year if there even is one.
ESPN Zone Chicago - Will probably try and stop in here for the pennies when in Chicago. They have a Chicago Cubs penny and a Chicago White Sox penny.
Comisky Park - They used to have a machine here, but no longer do.
Wrigley Field - The machine here has three Chicago Cubs logo designs and a Wrigley Field design.
Navy Pier - Should be easy to get over here since we will be staying right next to here when in Chicago. They have a machine with a White Sox design.
Miller's Park - This machine has a Milwaukee Brewers logo design, Mascot design, and two Miller Park designs.
Comerica Park - This park has two machines. Designs include Tigers Number 1, Established 1901 Tigers Logo, Tigers Lucky Penny, Detroit is Tiger Town, Heart Tigers, Tigers Logo, and Comerica Park Home of 2005 All Star Game.
Railcats Baseball - This penny in Gary, Indiana, is one we will not be getting, but thought I would include it since I noticed it.
UPMC Sports Works at Carnegie Center: They have some baseball science exhibits and maybe we will go if we have some free time in Pittsburgh. One of the penny designs is of a baseball.
PNC Park - This machies has Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Logo The Way Baseball Should Be Played, PNC Park Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park Logo, and Pirate Logo pennies.
Progressive Field - This machine has some famous Indian player, Indian Logo, Jacob's Field, and Cleveland Indians designs. I kind of wonder if it is really still there, though, since it is no longer Jacob's Field.
Cooperstown - There are two what I think are stores in Cooperstown that have penny machines with Hall of Fame and baseball designs. Will probably try and stop to get the pennies. One place is called National Pasttime and the other is Pioneer Sports Cards Store.
Fenway Park - This machine has two Boston Red Sox logo designs, a mascot design, and a Fenway Park design.
Yankee Stadium - They do currently have a machine, but with there being a new ballpark next year it potentially will not be there. Current designs are Yankee Stadium Logo, Yankee Stadium 1923 - 2008, New York Yankees Est. 1903, and All Star Yankee Stadium design.
ESPN Zone New York City - This place has a penny for each of the New York baseball teams, but I doubt we will try to get to this ESPN Zone just for the pennies.
Shea Stadium - Another one that potentially will not be there next year when they have a new stadium. The designs are Mr. Met, Mets Logo, Mets NY Logo, and New York City Skyline "Ya Gotta Believe."
Citizen's Bank Ballpark - There used to be a machine here, but it has been removed.
ESPN Zone Baltimore - They have an Orioles penny here, but probably will not get it.
Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum - They have four Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum designs here.
Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards - This machine has three Sports Legends Museum designs and a Camden Yards design.
Camden Yards - This one has a ballplayer design, ship design, mascot design, and Orioles Park at Camden Yards design.
Nationals Park - Oh, I am so annoyed I went to at least five games in the first month of the season at the new ballpark this year and never noticed they had a machine in the Strike Zone area. Anyways they have four designs and I hope to get them when I go to the end of regular season games in September this year.
Turner Field - The four designs here are Turner Field Established 1997, Mascot, Atlanta Braves 1966, and Braves Logo.
Minute Maid Park - The four designs here are Houston Astros with Texas Outline, Houston Astros with Train, Houston Astros pennant, and Ballpark.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
International Bowling Museum and Cardinals Hall of Fame
Just found out that this museum is closing by end of 2008 and moving to Arlington, Texas. Of course, that is just the bowling part and not the Cardinals baseball part. I read the area will be used in the development of Baseball Village, but it appears it will not be open next summer even though St. Louis is hosting the All Star Game. Who knows if, when, and where exactly they will reopen the Cardinals Hall of Fame part, but it looks like it will not be on the 2009 All the Ballparks itinerary anymore. Oh well, at least we did get to this museum a few years ago. Perhaps the new location in Arlington, Texas will be open and we will go to the bowling part while in the area since the three of us all like bowling and bowl in leagues.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
2 New Things I Found to Add to Route
I am currently on a different road trip and as we were traveling I was looking through some tourist things and discovered two more baseball themed things to work into next summer's All the Ballparks road trip.
The first is the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame and nearby League Stadium, where they filmed A League of Their Own. This is a little out of the way to add to the trip, but somehow we will work it in. Perhaps make it a really long day trip out of Cincinnati to the Lousiville Slugger Museum and here or maybe head to Indiana from Cincinnati and then spend a night in Lousiville see the Slugger Museum and continue back on planned route.
The second is the Pujols Westfront Grill in St. Louis. Now this is an easy thing to work in or at least it should be considering it is a place to eat and in it in a city already on the route.
The first is the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame and nearby League Stadium, where they filmed A League of Their Own. This is a little out of the way to add to the trip, but somehow we will work it in. Perhaps make it a really long day trip out of Cincinnati to the Lousiville Slugger Museum and here or maybe head to Indiana from Cincinnati and then spend a night in Lousiville see the Slugger Museum and continue back on planned route.
The second is the Pujols Westfront Grill in St. Louis. Now this is an easy thing to work in or at least it should be considering it is a place to eat and in it in a city already on the route.
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Road Trippers
Here is a brief intro to the three of us going doing the All the Ballparks Summer 2009 Road Trip.
Kj
Nickname: "The Documenter"
Favorite Team: Washington Nationals
Collects: Souvenir Baseballs
Her/My Role: I am the doing most of the planning and trip documenting. I am making the route and will be putting together how we can do it in Mik's summer vacation once the MLB schedules are all released. I am also the one documenting the trip through things like blogging and taking photos.
Mik
Nickname: "The Taste Tester"
Favorite Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Collects: Mini Bats
His Role: Mik is my little brother. He will turn 15 during the road trip. I am giving him the nickname "The Taste Tester" because over the years I have photographed him eating foods when we travel. It started as a him eating his way through Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and a Disney Cruise, but has now developed into him posing with different foods in his mouth on all our travels. He will be adding to his food scrapbook by trying different ballpark foods, especially things unique to certain ballparks. Also, he loves to narrate videos with his camera and may be entertaining readers with some video clips as we visit the ballparks. Lastly, Mik has cerebral palsy and, though, he is working on at least walking with his walker again, he will probably mostly use his wheelchair on the trip. Thus he will be helping to give accessibility reviews of the ballparks and other sites we hit along the way.
Joe
Nickname: "The Driver"
Favorite Team: Chicago Cubs
His Role: My dad is the one doing the driving. He is also the one who will have to call 30 different ballpark ticket offices to get wheelchair seats to the games.
Kj
Nickname: "The Documenter"
Favorite Team: Washington Nationals
Collects: Souvenir Baseballs
Her/My Role: I am the doing most of the planning and trip documenting. I am making the route and will be putting together how we can do it in Mik's summer vacation once the MLB schedules are all released. I am also the one documenting the trip through things like blogging and taking photos.
Mik
Nickname: "The Taste Tester"
Favorite Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Collects: Mini Bats
His Role: Mik is my little brother. He will turn 15 during the road trip. I am giving him the nickname "The Taste Tester" because over the years I have photographed him eating foods when we travel. It started as a him eating his way through Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and a Disney Cruise, but has now developed into him posing with different foods in his mouth on all our travels. He will be adding to his food scrapbook by trying different ballpark foods, especially things unique to certain ballparks. Also, he loves to narrate videos with his camera and may be entertaining readers with some video clips as we visit the ballparks. Lastly, Mik has cerebral palsy and, though, he is working on at least walking with his walker again, he will probably mostly use his wheelchair on the trip. Thus he will be helping to give accessibility reviews of the ballparks and other sites we hit along the way.
Joe
Nickname: "The Driver"
Favorite Team: Chicago Cubs
His Role: My dad is the one doing the driving. He is also the one who will have to call 30 different ballpark ticket offices to get wheelchair seats to the games.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
All the Ballparks Route Outline
Here is the route outline of the ballparks and other baseball stops that I have come up with so far. Plus, a few natural places of interest I added because I figured we might as well hit them while we are near them.
Leg 1: Tucson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Team 1: Arizona Diamonbacks
Leg 2: Phoenix, AZ to San Diego, CA
Team 2: San Diego Padres
Leg 3: San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Team 3: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Team 4: Los Angeles Dodgers
Leg 4: Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA
Team 5: Oakland Atheletics
Team 6: San Francisco Giants
Leg 5: San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA
Redwood National Park
Team 7: Seattle Mariners
Leg 6: Seattle, WA to Denver, Co
Dinosaur National Monument
Rocky Mountain National Park
Team 8: Colorado Rockies
Leg 7: Denver, CO to Kansas City, MO
Team 9: Kansas City Royals
Negro Leagues Hall of Fame
Leg 8: Kansas City, MO to St. Louis, MO
Team 10: St. Louis Cardinals
International Bowling Museum and Cardinals Hall of Fame
Leg 9: St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Team 11: Chicago Cubs
Team 12: Chicago White Sox
Leg 10: Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI
Team 13: Milwaukee Brewers
Leg 11: Milwaukee, WI to Minneapolis, MN
Team 14: Minnesota Twins
Leg 11: Minneapolis, MN to Detroit, MI
Team 15: Detroit Tigers
Leg 12: Detroit, MI to Cincinnati, OH
Team 16: Cincinnati Reds
Day Trip to Louisville Slugger Factory
Leg 13: Cincinnati, OH to Pittsburgh, PA
Team 17: Pittsburgh Pirates
Leg 14: Pittsburgh, PA to Cleveland, OH
Team 18: Cleveland Indians
Leg 15: Cleveland, OH to Toronto, Canada
Niagara Falls
Team 19: Toronto Blue Jays
Leg 16: Toronto, Canada to Boston, MA
Baseball Hall of Fame
Side Trip to hit Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (to say we have been to all states except Alaska after this road trip, I guess we will then have to do the Alaska road trip we have always talked about another summer)
Team 20: Boston Red Sox
Leg 17: Boston, MA to New York City, NY
Team 21: New York Yankeees
Team 22: New York Mets
Sports Museum of America
Leg 18: New York City, NY to Philadelphia, PA
Team 23: Philadelphia Phillies
Leg 19: Philadelphia, PA to Baltimore, MD
Team 24: Baltimore Orioles
Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum and Legends Hall of Fame at Camden Yards
Leg 20: Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC
Team 25: Washington Nationals
Leg 21: Washington, DC to Miami, FL
Team 26: Florida Marlins
Leg 22: Miami, FL to Tampa Bay, FL
Team 27: Tampa Bay Rays
Leg 23: Tampa Bay, Fl to Atlanta, GA
Team 28: Atlanta Braves
Leg 24: Atlanta, GA to Houston, TX
Team 29: Houston Astros
Leg 25: Houston, TX to Dallas, TX
Team 30: Texas Rangers
Legends of the Game Museum
Leg 1: Tucson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Team 1: Arizona Diamonbacks
Leg 2: Phoenix, AZ to San Diego, CA
Team 2: San Diego Padres
Leg 3: San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Team 3: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Team 4: Los Angeles Dodgers
Leg 4: Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA
Team 5: Oakland Atheletics
Team 6: San Francisco Giants
Leg 5: San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA
Redwood National Park
Team 7: Seattle Mariners
Leg 6: Seattle, WA to Denver, Co
Dinosaur National Monument
Rocky Mountain National Park
Team 8: Colorado Rockies
Leg 7: Denver, CO to Kansas City, MO
Team 9: Kansas City Royals
Negro Leagues Hall of Fame
Leg 8: Kansas City, MO to St. Louis, MO
Team 10: St. Louis Cardinals
International Bowling Museum and Cardinals Hall of Fame
Leg 9: St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Team 11: Chicago Cubs
Team 12: Chicago White Sox
Leg 10: Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI
Team 13: Milwaukee Brewers
Leg 11: Milwaukee, WI to Minneapolis, MN
Team 14: Minnesota Twins
Leg 11: Minneapolis, MN to Detroit, MI
Team 15: Detroit Tigers
Leg 12: Detroit, MI to Cincinnati, OH
Team 16: Cincinnati Reds
Day Trip to Louisville Slugger Factory
Leg 13: Cincinnati, OH to Pittsburgh, PA
Team 17: Pittsburgh Pirates
Leg 14: Pittsburgh, PA to Cleveland, OH
Team 18: Cleveland Indians
Leg 15: Cleveland, OH to Toronto, Canada
Niagara Falls
Team 19: Toronto Blue Jays
Leg 16: Toronto, Canada to Boston, MA
Baseball Hall of Fame
Side Trip to hit Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (to say we have been to all states except Alaska after this road trip, I guess we will then have to do the Alaska road trip we have always talked about another summer)
Team 20: Boston Red Sox
Leg 17: Boston, MA to New York City, NY
Team 21: New York Yankeees
Team 22: New York Mets
Sports Museum of America
Leg 18: New York City, NY to Philadelphia, PA
Team 23: Philadelphia Phillies
Leg 19: Philadelphia, PA to Baltimore, MD
Team 24: Baltimore Orioles
Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum and Legends Hall of Fame at Camden Yards
Leg 20: Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC
Team 25: Washington Nationals
Leg 21: Washington, DC to Miami, FL
Team 26: Florida Marlins
Leg 22: Miami, FL to Tampa Bay, FL
Team 27: Tampa Bay Rays
Leg 23: Tampa Bay, Fl to Atlanta, GA
Team 28: Atlanta Braves
Leg 24: Atlanta, GA to Houston, TX
Team 29: Houston Astros
Leg 25: Houston, TX to Dallas, TX
Team 30: Texas Rangers
Legends of the Game Museum
Saturday, June 7, 2008
All the Ballparks Road Trip Intro
The idea for the All the Ballparks Road Trip began when my dad and I were driving cross country from D.C. to Tucson in May 2008 when we began dreaming about a real road trip where it was more about the journey than the final destination. That road trip dreaming involved visiting all the Major League Ballparks in a single summer.
Really you can trace this dream a little further back to a small scale road trip we did to the Midwest in the summer of 2004, which involved us touring Busch Stadium (the one they knocked down when they were still working on the current one), seeing a game at Great American Ballpark, and seeing a game at Wrigley Field. During that same summer we also did our normal going to Bank One Ballpark (now called Chase Field) when the Cubs came to town and seeing a game at the then very new Petco Park. Since that summer I in particular have dreamed of one day being able to say I have been to a then current ballpark for all the major league teams.
So, back to May 2008 when we decided we should do All the Ballparks in one road trip. By the time we got home on the D.C. to Tucson road trip I had made a tentative route to do it. As soon as we got home we brought up the dream to my mom (the financier) and my younger brother (the third road tripper). My mom's reaction was along the lines of "Sounds cool. Too bad its too long for me to come with." My brother also thought it was cool, but was like we are taking the motorhome, right?
Well, sure the motorhome sounds like a fun road trip way to go, but we are back to the days of roughing it. He was still on board with the idea, though, when we explained it was totally an unrealistic trip to take if we had to pay for gas for the motorhome. Instead we are going to take Dad's Yukon or do Dad's idea of buying a used Honda Element and selling it when we get home. We will mostly be roughing it by sleeping in the car and/or camping and maybe occasionally using Mom's hotel points to stay at a Hilton or Hyatt (yeah, that would not be roughing it, but it would not add to the trip expense).
So, by now (at least to my dad and I) the All the Ballparks Summer Road Trip 2009 is going to happen. I will try to keep this blog updated with our latest plans and preparations. When we actually do the road trip (may not be 2009, but we will do it one of these years for sure) I plan to post regular updates of our adventures.
Really you can trace this dream a little further back to a small scale road trip we did to the Midwest in the summer of 2004, which involved us touring Busch Stadium (the one they knocked down when they were still working on the current one), seeing a game at Great American Ballpark, and seeing a game at Wrigley Field. During that same summer we also did our normal going to Bank One Ballpark (now called Chase Field) when the Cubs came to town and seeing a game at the then very new Petco Park. Since that summer I in particular have dreamed of one day being able to say I have been to a then current ballpark for all the major league teams.
So, back to May 2008 when we decided we should do All the Ballparks in one road trip. By the time we got home on the D.C. to Tucson road trip I had made a tentative route to do it. As soon as we got home we brought up the dream to my mom (the financier) and my younger brother (the third road tripper). My mom's reaction was along the lines of "Sounds cool. Too bad its too long for me to come with." My brother also thought it was cool, but was like we are taking the motorhome, right?
Well, sure the motorhome sounds like a fun road trip way to go, but we are back to the days of roughing it. He was still on board with the idea, though, when we explained it was totally an unrealistic trip to take if we had to pay for gas for the motorhome. Instead we are going to take Dad's Yukon or do Dad's idea of buying a used Honda Element and selling it when we get home. We will mostly be roughing it by sleeping in the car and/or camping and maybe occasionally using Mom's hotel points to stay at a Hilton or Hyatt (yeah, that would not be roughing it, but it would not add to the trip expense).
So, by now (at least to my dad and I) the All the Ballparks Summer Road Trip 2009 is going to happen. I will try to keep this blog updated with our latest plans and preparations. When we actually do the road trip (may not be 2009, but we will do it one of these years for sure) I plan to post regular updates of our adventures.
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