MLB Summer Tour: Busch Stadium

Name: Matthew Call
Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium:Busch Stadium

How many times a year do you make it to a game?:I usually try to get to a couple games a year, sometimes more. I attended 3 in 2010. This does not count the numerous games I have worked there as a visiting manager with SportService. I don't know for sure if you include those. I didn't get to really watch those games, but got to stop every now and then a see a few batters. Unfortunately, this was not the case during the 2009 All-Star Game. I was busy the entire time the game was going on. Same for the day before during the home run derby.

What is your favorite part of the ballpark?:
Probably now the view of the buildings and the arch. Having an open ballpark like it is now is perfect for St. Louis. Old Busch, after renovations, had a really nice outfield area considering it was an enclosed, multipurpose stadium. But seeing such a great view of downtown St. Louis is just amazing.

What makes the games special?:
The fans. I know some maybe sick of hearing it and may not agree, but St. Louis really does have the best fans in baseball. They have such a high respect and love for the game, that, coupled with the great history of the team, makes for such an amazing experience.

Favorite memory at the stadium?:
So many even though it's only 5 years old, but probably watching them win the World Series in 2006 was one of my personal highlights. I was working, but got to watch the final few batters and celebrate for a few minutes before me and some of my co-workers had to get back to work. We were then there working until 6:30 the next morning, but you would never know because of the adrenaline from having experienced that.

Second may be the first ever game there, an exhibition game between the Springfield Cardinals (where I worked) and the Memphis Redbirds. I was working it, my Dad was attending it. This is important to me because he was at the very first game at Busch II in 1966 and I worked the final game there in the 2005 playoffs. We were then both at the first game at the new one. It was special because as a family, and especially with my Dad, we have always been such huge Cardinals fans and have made many trips there. It's one of the reasons why the Cardinals are so important to me.

Picture of you:
Picture of you: Don't have one at the moment. I'll try and find one.

KC? I think so.

MLB Summer Tour: Turner Field

Name: Demetrius
Team: Atlanta Braves
Stadium:Turner Field

How many times a year do you make it to a game?:At least 10, and it's mostly the Sunday games. Nothing like day baseball, no matter where you are.

What is your favorite part of the ballpark?:
Probably the Hank Aaron statue that is just inside of the park. Having a statue of the Home Run King not only in the ballpark but prominently featured is a shining beacon for the club & just knowing that it's there & I can go look at it for every visit gives me a sense of pride as a Braves fan.

What makes the games special?:
Two words: Tomahawk Chop. Some may think it's racist, some may think it's monotonous, some may think it's lame and a direct rip-off of the FSU warchant...but when 50,000 people are standing in unison & doing it (without a PA system prompting them to do so), it's an unbeatable experience for a baseball fan in this town.

Favorite memory at the stadium?:
Definitely when I got to go to Bobby Cox's final regular season series against the Phillies. Every game I had standing room only tickets, which basically meant that I had to hang from any rafter you could think of just to get a good view of the game. I almost ended up in the Phillies' bullpen for one of the games. But all of the craziness of trying to find some sort of suitable viewing place was well worth it. The Braves won the Sunday game to clinch their first playoff spot in 5 years, and Bobby Cox received one of the loudest ovations I've ever heard. Crazy times.

Picture of you:
(Got none that's relatively current, nor of me at the stadium. I'm lame.)

Instead, here is a picture of Me at Turner Field!


Off to St. Louis!

MLB Summer Tour: Tropicana Field

Name: Kaity Lathbury
Team: Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium: Tropicana Field

How many times a year do you make it to a game?:
Once a month!

What is your favorite part of the ballpark?:
Besides the field itself, it would definitely have to be the Ted Williams museum. I get this nostalgic feeling where I get goosebumps when I go up the stairs and see all the jerseys and memorabilia of players from the past. While I wasn't there to watch all of them play, it's all preserved and put on display, but still tucked away so not many people are up there. It's not a secret so much as an under-appreciated part of the ballpark.

What makes the games special?:
The noise level, by far. The roof, combined with the cowbells and vuvuzelas, make games crazy loud. It really gets you pumped up when the guys are winning, and I haven't left a game yet without a raspy voice from cheering at the top of my lungs with a bunch of die-hard Rays fans.

Favorite memory at the stadium?:
My first game on April 9, 2000. I was 6, it was my first pro baseball game, and they got slaughtered by the Indians. While the outcome was horrible, and I cried because I fully expected them to win, I had the time of my life. I was able to attend my first game with my family, and it's a tradition that we've been carrying on for the last 11 years. I actually still have the thunder sticks they were handing out that night and they're proudly on display in my room!

Picture of you:


2 down, and now up to Atlanta for the Braves.

MLB Summer Tour: Sun Life Stadium

Name: Derek Reese
Team: FLORIDA Marlins
Stadium: Joe Robbie/Pro Player/Dolphins/Dolphin/LandShark/Dolphin/Sun Life Stadium

How many times a year do you make it to a game?:
Usually 5-10 times per year, sometimes more, since the inaugural season in 1993.

What is your favorite part of the ballpark?:
Definitely the quirks in the outfield, namely the (formally) Teal Tower in left
field. The giant teal out of town scoreboard with the analog clock and lineups
was the only thing that gave Joe Robbie that ballpark feel. It made you briefly
forget you were really in a cavernous football stadium. For every home run it
took away from the good guys in Teal and Black, it took one away from the
opponents. But the small gap where the Tower ended down the left field line
always let a few sneak over the wall(just ask Alex Gonzalez). The loud metal
bang when the ball smacked into it surely meant extra bases. Unfortunately this
unique feature was covered up with giant ads in 2010(thanks to the stadium nor
the team wanting to pay for repairs)

Another fun spot is the “Bermuda Triangle”, the notch in the outfield wall in
deep left center, jutting out to 434 feet from home plate. Triple-city for the
speedsters over the years like Chuck Carr, Luis Castillo or Juan Pierre. Every
time a ball was caught in the triangle, the inevitable “That ball is out in any
other ballpark” comments would spring up, from the stands to the press box to
the guy on his couch.

Sadly, these unique outfield features, one of the few true South Florida MLB
traditions, are not being transferred to the new ballpark at the site of the
Orange Bowl.

What makes the games special?:
Marlins games at Joe Robbie Stadium were always special to me growing up. There
has always been a unique camaraderie between the Marlins fans, we always have to
fend off the transplants from out of town, regardless of who we are playing. Be
it New York, Philly, Atlanta, LA, Chicago, there are always some loud mouth out
of towners in attendance that bring out the best in Fish fans. Win or lose, rain
or shine(usually rain), I always have a good time at a Marlins game at Joe
Robbie. I've been soaked while sitting in the rain watching the tarp crew go to
work, come home with sun burn on hot Sunday afternoons, but you never regret
heading out to the stadium. Even if only 6,000 people show up, you can enjoy the
ample legroom and it feels like they are playing the game just for you.

When driving down the Florida Turnpike, as you round the curve at Hollywood
Boulevard going southbound, the lights and scoreboard come into view on the
horizon. I still get excited even if I'm not going to a game. And that's what
baseball and sports is all about. A stadium, even the 3rd oldest stadium the
National League, and the very worst in baseball, is a special place and it can
bring out the kid in you.

Favorite memory at the stadium?:
I've seen too many games to single out one memory. It's really been just an
entire experience, from my first ever baseball game in 1993 at the inaugural
season finale, to seeing Mark McGwire hit home runs #58 and #59 in 1998, to the
excitement as the club marched towards the playoffs in 1997 and 2003. I can
remember several occasions huddling under the overhangs on the concourse, hiding
from the rain. Trying unsuccessfully to snag a BP home run from everywhere
possible in the outfield over the years(best I ever got was a ground rule
double). I got to sit in a skybox and meet Tony Perez one year, I've seen a
handful of great walk off wins, stayed for doubleheaders late into the night,
and watched many careers get their start on the diamond at Joe Robbie Stadium.
The 19 years of the Florida Marlins at Joe Robbie Stadium are something I'll
never forget.

Picture of you:

MLB Summer Road Trip Criteria

Here is what I will ask you when being interviewed for the Summer Road trip

Name:
Team:
Stadium:
How many times a year do you make it to a game?:

What is your favorite part of the ballpark?:

What makes the games special?:

Favorite memory at the stadium?:

Picture of you:

MLB Summer Road Trip Sign up Sheet

So in order to do the Summer Road trip, we need some volunteers. I have a handful of people who are willing to, but theres still about 25 left. These are all people from the CCSLC boards. You can sign up on the comments, or contact me at my email.

Marlins- Fishheatcats
Rays- My friend Kaity
Braves- TFoA
Cardinals- McCall
Royals-
Rangers-
Astros-
Rockies-
Diamondbacks-
Padres-
Angels- Still MIGHTY
Dodgers-
Giants-
A's- Anthony
Mariners-
Twins- TC
Brewers- KDubK414
Cubs- MDC
White Sox-
Reds- Joshmings
Pirates-
Indians- Infared41
Tigers-
Jays- mr.negative15
Red Sox- gingerbreadmann
Yankees-cameroncrazie07
Mets- metfan19862003
Phillies-
Orioles-
Nationals-

Summer MLB Tour

I had this idea awhile ago. I interview real fans about their team. I'll ask what the ballpark experience. I want to know what about the ballpark makes the experience, from a fans point of view.

I will get this started sometime soon.