Accessibility Review: Minute Maid Park

Parking ended up being easy at Minute Maid Park as we found a parking lot across the street under the freeway that is an official lot. It was the first lot around the park that we noticed handicap spots in. It is labeled as a reserved lot, but that does not mean you need a special pass for the handicap spots, although you of course do need a handicap placard or plate. I also noticed some of the street parking around the park was handicap spots. However, several of the lots right across from the park other than the one we ended up in did not seem to have any handicap spots or if they did they were taken more than 3 hours before the game.

Getting into the park is not that hard, but it was helpful that a fellow fan told us early on where to line up. The regular lines end up going between bars, although not actual turnstiles when they enter the park. These bars are, however, not placed far enough apart for a wheelchair to go through. The doors to the left, however, which was the Media Entrance at the gate we were at, did not have any of the bars and when they opened the park it is even a handicap button operated automatic door. It was great that we were informed to stand over near it, as by the time the park opened the line was pretty long and it would have been annoying to end up going across it to get into the park.

At the Houston Astros game we originally had tickets in one of the 300s sections, but we ended up sitting in 110 as one of our surprise upgrades of the trip. The accessible seats on the 100 level are located at the top of the sections. Overall they are good seats, although part of left field was blocked from view and we could only see the train start its trip on the track to celebrate home runs. Not having to deal with elevators to get to them is a nice thing, though.

One issue with the section we sat in was that there was a concession stand right behind it. This did keep general public traffic out of the handicap seating area trying to stand around and watch the game and getting in the way. However, at the same time it almost made the section inaccessible for the wheelchair to get in and out of.

Overall the accessible experience at Minute Maid Park was acceptable. The particular section we sat in was kind of odd with the concession stand in front of it, but it is better than ending up people standing and crowding the section like we have experienced at some of the places the seats are right out on the concourse. Mik approves of the seating section because they do have cup holders.

Day 68: Bowling in Florida

To kill some time before going to the movies we went bowling. I beat Dad 165 to 124. We only bowled one game because I cannot stand the
lane ball and shoes. It is no fun getting a blister after only 2 balls because the thumb hole is so sharp. Not to mention it is just weird throwing such a light ball because me fingers are too small for the 14 pound balls. One of the few things I am looking forward to being home to do is go bowling with my own gear.

Day 68: Humidity Wins/Upgrading to Kabin

The humidity is miserable here in Florida, so after a miserable mostly sleepless night we decided to just pay the extra and upgrade to a Kabin for the next to nights. We got a wheelchair accessible one even though it is a 2 room instead of 1 and cost more. It is worth it, though, as it is nice and air conditioned. Dad is happy, too since it just started to pour after we got everything to the Kabin except the tent. He still hates a wet tent, but at least he does not have to be in it.

Day 67: Sand Ballpark

You know you think too much about baseball when you decide that you should make a sand ballpark. By the way it would be me that thinks too much about baseball and came up with the idea that to make a sand ballpark while at the beach today. I was going to make it all on my own, but as soon as I mentioned my idea Dad got involved with his way better sand building skills and make the sand part of the ballpark while I came up with the ideas and collected the shells. Mik stayed on his own and built a sand mountain and when he got tired of Dad washed him off and he sat in my beach chair where he mischievously filled my sandals with sand and literally turned them into SANDals. I did not mind, though, as at least it kept him entertained and not complaining about wanting to leave while we finished the sand ballpark.

The end result of an hour or so of ballpark building with sand and shells can be seem above. Dad named our ballpark Curly W Stadium. Personally I just call it Sand Ballpark. By the way I am not sure if he was think Curly W for the Nats only or it also had to do with W being the initial of our last name. It is not perfect, but it turned out really cool if you ask me. Below are photos of some of the interesting features of our ballpark.

The above photo shows the curly shell I found to be the ballpark's flag. The flag was placed on top of the part behind home plate. Now that I think about maybe that is part of what Dad was thinking with the Curly W name. I am sure he will comment soon and clear it up about why he named it Curly W Stadium.

The shade for the upper sections of Sand Ballpark was created with large pieces of shells.

I came up with the idea of using some of the sand dollars we found to make the batter's eye background. Dad placed them standing up in the bleacher section in line with home plate.

The infield features small white shells at first, second, and third base, a larger white shell for the pitcher's mound, and a reddish brown shell as home plate.

I placed little shells all around the stadium to mark the first row of seating. The rest of the rows are finger line marks Dad made in the sand stands.

Out behind the outfield I placed my Dr. Pepper bottle. Several Major League ballparks have giant Coca Cola bottles, so it seemed like a cool idea to have a giant bottle scale size for our ballpark. Do not worry I did not litter, as I only put it there for the photo and then threw it away in the trashcan on the way back to the car. Crazy thinker that Dad is thought I was going to leave it when I was adding it to the ballpark at the end.

Lastly, the coolest feature and most important feature of our ballpark. The number 42 recognized as retired. For those that do not know 42 was Jackie Robinson's number and it is retired throughout Major League Baseball, so pretty much all of the stadiums clearly have a number 42 marker somewhere. Our 42 is etched onto one of the sand dollars we found. It is also the one piece of our ballpark I kept to take home as a reminder of the ballpark we created while visiting the 30 Major League Ballparks this summer.

Day 67: Mik Collecting Shells

We got to the campground in St. Petersburg and set up camp a few hours ago. Now we are a few miles down the road at the beach. Mik has actually been excited today since I told him we would go to the beach this evening. He is such a beach boy. It is nice to see him actually enjoying himself on this trip for once.

Kj’s Baseball Collection: Astros

The souvenir ball selection at the Astros was not that great. They had several designs, but they were all way too busy with very few even being the team colors. I just settled for the simple white ball with the Astros logo on one side. I was really hoping for a Minute Maid Park one, though, because I love the park’s logo with the orange fruit looking baseball.

Mik’s Mini Bat Collection: Minute Maid Park

When we got to the Team Shop before the Astros game Mik just wanted to sit and play his game, so he did not even go in to choose his bat. I found the orange one with the Minute Maid Park logo and thought it was cool so I got it for him. Then he complained because it did not have an Astros logo on it. He said he would have preferred the natural one with the Astros logo, but did not care enough to make me go back and get him a second mini bat, which I was entirely willing to do if he had asked and not just whined about the choice I made for him.