Baseball from an Englishman

Well when we were over in the US this summer I got to attend my first Baseball game and to be honest it was one I was very nervouse about going too.  I actually Love baseball but not really as a sport I love the ideals of baseball given to me growing up by hollywood through films such as "Field of Dreams" and "8 Men out" since then I dont think there has been a baseball film I havn't seen and enjoyed (yes even the madonna one ).  So it was with a little fear we got tickets for an Altoona curves game (ok haven't tried major league yet) and headed for the game.  First of I was very suprised by the quality of the stadium and a little scared by how close you actually sit to the action with 2nd row seats .  We lasted till the fourth innings before we slowly made our way out the game it self was very enjoyable but I found the intrusion of all the gimicky stuff inbetween bats and inbetween innings much too distracting to truely enjoy the sport.  So next time I hope we can head up to the majors where hopefully the breaks in between innings wont be so intrusive.

(I do understand the smaller clubs do this to make it a fun day out for the regulars and to get added sponsorship as each game seamed to be themed to a local store or resteraunt but still) I did nearly catch a ball though but chickened out due to a fear of missing it and it flicking off my hands into some child behind me.  Though if I had of caught it I would of given it to a young fan there and not fought with kids for it like some adults did .

Glad you had a good time.  My hometown has a Frontier League team and I've also been to several Cardinals games and the game atmosphere couldn't be more different, and they both have their pluses and negatives.  I hope you get to see a Major League game soon.  Myself, I can't wait to see my first football game live. 

Baseball is much more fun live.  Glad you enjoyed your first game!  You are correct in that Minor League games are very gimicky and very different from the Major Leagues.  I'm a dreaded Yankee Fan (don't hate me) and IMO there is nothing like walking into Yankee Stadium and I have visited many Major League Parks around the US.  Including Fenway Park in Boston.  I just have a soft spot in my heart for Yankee Stadium.  I wonder if I'll feel the same about the new stadium.

what do you guys mean by 'gimmicky'?

what do you guys mean by 'gimmicky'?

Well what I mean by gimmicky was the pre game competitions like 3 legged races to win a dinner voucher (which went on during warm up) then a human bowling ball race in between each team batting, then about 2 other competitions at the end of each innings.  It just kind of distracted from the sport but I understand why they feel like they need to do it.

Well what I mean by gimmicky was the pre game competitions like 3 legged races to win a dinner voucher (which went on during warm up) then a human bowling ball race in between each team batting, then about 2 other competitions at the end of each innings.  It just kind of distracted from the sport but I understand why they feel like they need to do it.

Oh I never heard of that!!
I am a Cubs fan. Hey dont blame me! Im from Chicago and its the law! lol
Anyway I havent ever seen any gimmicks at a MLB game but glad you enjoyed the game anyway!

I think most of the gimmicks at Minor League games are due to the local sponsorships.  Minor League are really a part of the community they are in and local businesses can advertise and sponsor events at the games.  There is usually something going on in between each inning.  I've never seen anything similar at a MLB game, except for a T-Shirt toss in Anaheim.

Oh I never heard of that!!
I am a Cubs fan. Hey dont blame me! Im from Chicago and its the law! lol
Anyway I havent ever seen any gimmicks at a MLB game but glad you enjoyed the game anyway!

Well thats good to hear I assumed Major league Baseball would be a bit different and as I stated in my initial post I went to see the Altoona curves and not a major league baseball match you must of missed that.

I think most of the gimmicks at Minor League games are due to the local sponsorships.  Minor League are really a part of the community they are in and local businesses can advertise and sponsor events at the games.  There is usually something going on in between each inning.  I've never seen anything similar at a MLB game, except for a T-Shirt toss in Anaheim.

I think so too made mention of that in my initial post and it wasn't a MLB game I went to see.

I have to admit, I used to go see my hometown team play mostly for the beer, hotdogs, and other assorted food items, usually ice cream.  For example, my fave professional team that also shares a sports complex with my favorite football team (my fave sport in America), have the best ice cream in the world at their field!  Yummy!  Oh yeah, and the baseball is pretty good too!  I'm not really much for the gimmiky things they do between the innings for my hometown team.  Haven't really seen any thing too silly at the MLB ones, to go along with consensus. 

I've been to see the Modesto Nuts twice. John Thurman Field is really nice and the games were pretty good.

There was an innings where all beer was $1 until the third out. During that innings there wasn't a male over 21 sitting in their seat!:D

I've seen the Angels play the A's at the Memorial Coliseum and I enjoyed watching the Braves beat the Giants at AT&T Park (Bonds didn't get anything that day. HA!).

I'll be watching more when I can.

Paul

Glad you had a good time.  My hometown has a Frontier League team and I've also been to several Cardinals games and the game atmosphere couldn't be more different, and they both have their pluses and negatives.  I hope you get to see a Major League game soon.  Myself, I can't wait to see my first football game live. 

Don't expect anywhere near the quantity or quality of food and drink available at an English football game!
We have a lot to learn from the US in that respect.

So head to a pub before the game!

We have a lot to learn from the US in that respect.

I disagree.
FGS, it's only a bit over 105 minutes!    Do people have to eat and drink every hour of the day?

I disagree.
FGS, it's only a bit over 105 minutes!    Do people have to eat and drink every hour of the day?

Well, I agree in that respect - I can manage 2 hours without stuffing my face.....but generally,if they are going to offer food and drink, something more than a pie and pint of the worst possible beer might be an improvement!

Food varies greatly from stadium to stadium.  I am not sure which UK grounds you have been to, but I have treavelled all around the country, been to around a hundred grounds, and can confirm that food ranges from vomit inducing to decent restaurant quality.

Vicky