We attended a game of the High-A minor league team Cedar Rapids Kernels, playing against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, at the Kernels’ Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The concourse:
Menus:
Burger and fries:
Our seats were in the front row, right behind the net:
Selfie:
Stands:
Mascot:
Other angles:
Spiderman:
You can see where our seats were; look for Jenn with the teal hat and green shirt:
A run scores:
Another run scores:
Pizza race:
3,756 attendance:
Kernels Win:
We attended a game of St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs, playing at the Cardinals’ ballpark, Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.
An interactive map:
Center field entrance:
The ballpark:
Team store:
Birb:
Perficient Perch:
Chicken and fries:
View from our seats:
Mascot and cheerleaders:
Gateway Arch:
Views from elsewhere:
Our seats were in the sun on a really hot day, so we moved to stand in the concourse:
Then we left early. It was just too hot, and we didn’t particularly care about either of the teams playing.
In addition to attending major league baseball games while traveling around the country, we also plan to attend some minor league games. Minor league teams often have fun names, and their ballparks are smaller, so we can often get seats front row behind home plate, something that would be prohibitively expensive in a MLB park.
We went to the Bowling Green Hot Rods’ ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to attend a game. But it was cancelled before starting due to weather. We had expected the game to have a rain delay midway, but they decided to not even start. We got to see the ballpark, at least.
The Hot Rods are the High-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays:
Ballpark:
The second baseball game we attended while in the DC area was the Miami Marlins playing at the Washington Nationals stadium, Nationals Park:
We got there shortly before the gates opened:
Baseball art:
Team store:
More art:
Cutwater Spirits:
We got some tasty beverages in interesting containers:
Fritos tacos:
Mascots:
View of the ballpark from our seats:
Mascot:
WSH:
Cheerleaders:
Selfie:
See You Tater:
Tater tots with mac & cheese and pulled pork:
Mascots:
Cart:
Dippin’ Dots for dessert:
Nats win:
While staying in the DC area, we attended a couple of baseball games. The first was the Atlanta Braves playing at the Baltimore Orioles stadium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The entrance to Oriole Park:
Team store:
Food vendors:
We like to try regional specialties when exploring ballparks; we started with the crab mac hot dog:
“The ballpark that forever changed baseball”:
The view from our seats:
Lineups:
Lots of navy folks for Fleet Week:
Selfie:
Former Mariner Jarred Kelenic:
Crab shuffle game:
Time to try more food:
Chicken bacon ranch fries:
And crab chips:
Hot dog race:
Home run markers on the ground:
I looked for Mariners ones, including Ken Griffey, Jr on April 24, 1994:
Sam Haggerty on April 13, 2021:
Cal Raleigh on June 25, 2023:
Mascot:
Dippin’ Dots for dessert:
Final scores:
Oriole Park at Camden Yards:
We have a stretch goal to visit all major league baseball ballparks, as we travel around the country, when we happen to be near one.
While staying an hour out of Atlanta, we had such an opportunity. We attended an evening game of the Cleveland Guardians playing at the Atlanta Braves’ stadium, Truist Park.
Chop House Gate:
Their iconic tomahawk and ball:
Braves clubhouse store:
Nachos in a helmet; bigger than we were expecting (we didn’t keep the helmet):
Batting practice:
History garden:
Gameday booklet with a former Mariner, Jarred Kelenic (who unfortunately wasn’t playing in this game):
View from our seats on the 300 level:
Ceremonial first pitch:
Actual first pitch:
Another pitch:
Gandalf (I’m glad they didn’t pick me):
Food market line:
Curly fries and Cracker Jack:
Sunset reflected off a building:
Home Depot race:
The chop:
Out:
Cheerleaders:
Their mascot, Blooper:
Beer bat:
Home run:
Braves win:
Game stats:
It’s fun going to other ballparks, and seeing the regional differences.
We took the fast ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, Washington, to go to the Mariners team store, and walk a little around the city.
Lumen Field for feetball:
T-Mobile Park baseball field:
Mariners Team Store:
Pioneer Square and environs:
MOD Pizza for dinner:
Skylight for underground area:
Line for ferry:
Glimpse of stadiums:
We took Mom to a Seattle Mariners baseball game.
T-Mobile Park:
Jenn with a picture of her hero, Cal Raleigh:
View from the club level:
Media booths:
Pizza:
Mariner Moose:
Play ball!
Salute to the Negro Leagues Day:
Closed roof:
Home run!
Home run trident:
Line for food (fairly fast moving):
Fish and chips:
Retro sailboat race:
Selfie:
Panorama:
While staying north of San Francisco, our Seattle Mariners happened to be in Oakland, so we attended a game.
Rooted in Oakland… but not for much longer, as they are planning to move to Las Vegas:
Tailgating:
The Coliseum:
A peek of the field:
Looking back from our seats:
Selfie from our seats:
We could see into the camera and ramp area, as the Mariners gave autographs on the way out:
Play ball:
We did a mobile order for food, which was a mistake; I spent over half an hour standing in line to pick up our food after the “ready” notification, while the ad hoc order line was moving much faster:
Finally, our chicken and fries:
Some slow-mo videos:
Sweep:
Mariners win!
Autographs:
Scores:
While in Phoenix we attended a spring training game of the Seattle Mariners, playing against Canada.
The Mariners do their spring training at the Peoria Sports Complex:
Of course, we bought some swag at the team store:
Some ballpark food for lunch:
Lineups:
Umps:
Play ball:
“Big Dumper” Cal Raleigh:
We enjoyed a Matador Southnorte tequila and pineapple cocktail from a vendor:
Ichiro:
Shipyard playground:
Home run:
Attendance 3,962:
Mariners win!
Final scores:
