Day 7 (5/16/04):
Today we went to Baltimore to see the game between the Orioles and the Angels. Today was a very interesting day, for unforeseen, and unfortunate reasons. We left for Baltimore at around ten of four, and got there at around 6 oclock (after getting lost for about ten minutes). We parked our car and went to the lobby to check-in. When we were checking-in, we gave the woman behind the counter, Beverly, Lees moms credit card (the card we used for the reservations). She told us that we couldnt use that credit card unless we had written authorization from the cardholder (Lees mom). We were pretty much screwed, because Lees parents were on their way home from Atlantic City so there was no way of getting any kind of written authorization. We asked if we can just leave the card at the desk for the night and in the morning, Lees mom can fax over authorization, but Beverly said that she was not allowed to let us up to the room without payment. We didnt know what to do. From that point we were planning on either sleeping in the lobby, or driving home after the game--neither of which were real options. We were all in a state of panic. Lee and I were talking to the lady, trying to figure out some way around this, and Adam was pacing up and down the lobby just freaking out. Finally, Beverly made a suggestion, we call one of our parents--other than Lee's-and get them to fax over written authorization to use their credit card. My parents were in New York, so that wouldnt work, so we called Adams. We got in touch with Adams mom, but she didnt know how to use a fax machine. Beverly helped her over the phone, but it turned out that her fax machine was broken. Finally we contacted Adams dad, and he happened to be a member of the Marriott club, so we were able to use his membership number to pay for the room without any kind of written authorization. We finally got situated and in our room by around 7 oclock. We hung around for a little, and then caught a cab for the game by 7:40 pm. The game was amazing. The seats Adams cousin gave us were only 1 row from the field. They were right behind where the pit where the camera people sit. After the game we walked around the stadium for a little bit to get a feel for it all. We walked from section to section to check out all of the different views from each section. Camden Yards is really a cool place. Oriole Park at Camden Yards was opened in 1992. Being there, I got the feeling it was designed as a retro park. It brought back the open ballpark--it isn't a bowl. Although the stadium is pretty modern, it has a historical type of feeling because of the architecture. Architecture is everything when it comes to a ballpark. All of the sightlines are perfect and have continually been modified (for both the fan and the play) since the stadium has been opened, up until a couple years ago. I have nothing to complain about, our seats were absolutely amazing. We could see everything. Even in left center field, we could see the pitcher warming up. The bullpens are double decked, so you can see both teams pitchers practicing at the same time. It is a very interesting design.
Day 8 (5/17/04):
Today, after we checked out of the hotel, we hung around in the city for a while, and then headed home. We had lunch in the inner harbor at the ESPN zone, and then just walked around the city. We stopped by Camden Yards again just to get another look at it. It looks much different during the daytime. When I got home, I jotted down notes from Baltimore about significant things I remembered, and about things that influenced our trip. It was my second trip to Camden Yards (I was there a few years ago with my family) so I didnt really have to make any notes incase I would forget.
Today, we also scheduled our game at Citizens Bank Park. My Dad had tickets for tomorrow, so we figured we would go then. My Dad had already been to the park with my brother a couple weeks ago, so I asked him all about it. I didn't know what to expect, all I have seen was picture of the outside of the park. He said it is a retro design, an open park, and in the outfield, you can see the skyline of Philadelphia. I did some research on my own to find out some more. I went on the Phillies website, and I visited some other websites to see more of the park, and find out what its like.
Day 9 (5/18/04):
Today we went to the Phillies game. The ballpark was more amazing than I ever expected. All of the picture and descriptions I found online didnt give it justice. It is by far, the most exciting, and architecturally stylish ballparks I have ever seen. You can tell by the architecture that it is modern, but it is designed to be more retro. Although the seating is in the style of a bowl ballpark, which is extremely beneficial for the sightlines of the fans, the outfield is open. The stadium isnt a bowl; the outfield is actually the skyline of Philadelphia. In the right field you can see the teams pitchers practicing in the two bullpens side by side on two levels (similar to Orioles Park at Camden Yards). Everywhere you sit, you feel like you are a part of the action. Our seats are right behind home plate in the 300 level. From down below, it looks like it is pretty high up, but from the seats, it seems pretty close to the action. The sightlines are almost perfect--the only thing in the way is a 2 ½ ft. glass safety wall. Because we are one of the top sections, there has to be a safety wall. Besides that, everything is amazing. The modern day architecture, mixed with the retro flavor of the park is a really incredible sight. The accessibility of the ballpark is really easy as well. Besides the 20,000 or so parking spaces near the ballpark, the ballpark is also conveniently accessible from the Broad Street Subway Line.
Day 10 (5/19/04):
Today I started to put together my presentation--even though I have a couple more games to go. I am making a website, using the tripod web builder, for my senior experience panel presentation. This took a few hours setting up and organizing. After I set it up and registered, I started working on the first web page (Reading Phillies). I uploaded my digital pictures from my hard drive to the website and started some descriptions of the First Energy Stadium.
Day 11 (5/20/04):
Today I started working on my second web page (Yankee Stadium) of my website. I uploaded my digital pictures from my hard drive to the website and started some descriptions of Yankee Stadium.
