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MLB ROAD TRIP 2001
2001.4.20 <VOL.7>
Days 3 and 4
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*We are in Portland
Index
1. Day 3 - Seattle
2. Day 4 - Tacoma
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Day 3 - Wednesday, April 18
After a late start, we arrived at Safeco Field for the 12:30 tour (thanks Kerry!).
The tour costs $7/person and is highly recommended - the tour begins with a trip down
to the field, although you can't actually step on the grass. You can roam through the
dugouts, which aren't particularly exciting. You are then shown the Diamond Club
restaurant which is the area reserved for Diamond Club ticketholders. In this area,
you are served a free buffet meal before heading to your seat to enjoy the game.
Of course, it is not really free as ticket prices for the Diamond Club are $250 or
$150.
After a brief video and photo op at the press room, we were taken to the press box,
then onto a suite, and finally to the top of the stadium known as Outlook Landing,
which has nice views of downtown. It took about 1.5 hours to complete the tour, but
the guides were interesting and it was nice to step on a major league field.
We took a bus back to Pioneer Square - buses are only $1 in the downtown core and on
weekends and holidays you can buy an all-day pass for $2. After a nice lunch at
a Greek cafe called Zaina's, we headed for the Seattle Underground Tour.
Over a hundred years ago, Seattle regraded their streets, essentially burying the bottom
floor of existing buildings below street level. These historic buildings are still
standing, and beneath the street they are unchanged. The underground tour takes you to
3 sections that are representative of the area. For those expecting to see things
as they were in 1889, you will be disappointed - the underground was ignored
for decades before the tour began in 1965, so things are a bit rundown.
Instead, this is more of a historical tour describing the beginnings of Seattle with
a humorous touch. If you like history, this is a good tour for $9, but if you are in
a rush, you may want to skip this as it takes 1.5 hours.
After the underground we returned to Safeco. Our seats were the worst - $6 bleacher
seats in centerfield - definitely a change from our seats the day before. The view,
however, is still very good. The roof was open, which made things quite chilly,
especially as the night wore on. The game itself was not particularly interesting,
and although Ichiro hit a home run to bring Seattle close, the Rangers held on
for an 8-6 victory.
We returned home quite late as the Monorail had stopped at 11. Tomorrow is a quick
drive to Tacoma to see the Rainiers play the Memphis Redbirds. I hope that it is warmer
than today!
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Day 4 - Thursday, April 19
The day was sunny when we got up. We spent some time updating our web site and then drove
the long 40 miles down I-5 to Tacoma. After checking in, we headed out to the Cheny
stadium as the game was scheduled for an early 6:05 start. The game was a AAA affair
between the Tacoma Rainiers, who are the Seattle Mariners' farm club, and the Memphis
Redbirds, farm team of the St. Louis Cardinals.
If you have never seen minor league baseball, I hope that I can accurately convey the
differences between it and the majors. After watching two Mariner games, it is
refreshing to see a game where you can hear the players and see their faces.
tickets are much cheaper - $10 to sit two rows from the field between home and first.
Compare this with $11 to sit in the left field bleachers at Safeco and you may see the
advantages of minor league baseball.
Tickets were not the only thing that was less expensive - parking, programs, and food
are all a better value than at the majors. I recommend the pizza if you are ever in
Tacoma. As well, there is service to the reserved seats, with your normal hot dog fare,
as well as mozzarella sticks and jalapeno poppers.
The promotions that occur between innings are also more original. In Seattle they would
have hydrofoil races on the big screen - 3 different color boats in an animated race -
pick your color and cheer madly if it wins. In the minors, there is no big screen, so
you have to be a bit more creative. The most interesting promotion was the KFC free
bucket - three Rainier employees (not the players!) stood on the dugout and encouraged
the fans to do the chicken dance. Best dancer received a coupon for a free bucket of
chicken. One of the dugout dancers certainly enjoyed his time, gyrating wildly to the
infamous chicken dance - you won't get that kind of entertainment in the majors.
In the minors, the game is almost an afterthought. Last night Tacoma won 4-1 - the only
player of note would be Rainier starter Rob Ramsay who was with the Mariners all last
year. He pitched 5 scoreless innings for the win and has not allowed a run in 3 starts -
perhaps he will be called up to the big club shortly.
Attendance was annoucned at 1,803 but I would be surprised if there were that many in the
ballpark. Cheney Stadium is a great place to see a game - cozy, a little bit away from the
city, and good fans. Next time you are in Seattle, see if the Rainiers are in town as well
- you may see a future Mariner star.
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