Nicky’s Guide to Her First MLB Game

I was out celebrating a birthday earlier this spring when talk turned to baseball with the Drummer Dude from Homer who is a big Detroit Tigers fan.  “Yeah I’m hoping to take Nicky to a game when we go back east this summer.  She’s never been to a MLB game.”  Nicky sitting across the table piped up, “What’s MLB?”   She was serious. 

My eyes lit up.  Nicky was a Girlfriend waiting to happen.

“Don’t worry, Nicky.  I got your back on this one.” I told her. 

So this guide is for her and anyone who isn’t into baseball and is going to their first game in a Major League Stadium. Follow these guidelines and you can have a fabulous time even if you don't know anything about baseball.

Rule #1:  Realize that going to a game at a Major League Park is not the same as watching baseball. Trust me. You can see the game better on TV. This is about going to the Park and having a tribal experience. MLB parks are much more devoted to the fan enjoyment these days than in the past. Soak it up. A baseball stadium can feel like a cathedral. Especially enjoy that moment when you first approach your first view of the field. It will take your breath away.

Rule #2: Get a program.  This does two things.  It gives you the roster for the teams so you can get to know the players and it also gives you a glossy magazine to read and look at during slow innings.

Rule #3:  Locate your scoreboard.  The scoreboard keeps track of the most important things for you— Runs, strikes, balls and outs,  who is batting, who is pitching, the batting order, statistics. There are usually some scoreboards are located around the park so all the fans can see them from their seats. Look at it every once in awhile. They often list fun trivia about the players and a bit of bio.  Makes it feel like you are rooting for your high school team. 

Rule #4:   Watch the Jumbotron.  Always play the games up there such as the boat races or the hat trick. Text your answer to the music trivia quiz.  Look for kiss cam or the dance cam.  Watch the blooper reel. Cheer for the guy who just turned 100 years old. Every park does it differently but every park does it.  

Rule #5:  Do the wave. Old timers and serious baseball fans barely lift their finger when the wave hits their section but ignore them. At my first Red Sox game at Fenway, we had a marginal seat in the bleachers behind a column, but the highlight of the game for me was participating in my first Wave.

Rule #6: It goes without saying that you need to be there in time to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” before the game starts and  “Take me Out to the Ball Game” or whatever they sing at Comerica during the 7^th Inning Stretch.

Rule #7: At some point, take a walk all the way around the park but don’t do it until the 4^th, 5^th or 6^th inning.   You  don’t want to blow your wad right at the beginning so save it when the game gets a little draggy and boring in the middle. It is fun to see the different perspectives of the field from the different section and check out what the stadium has to offer.  The Boyfriend and I once walked around AT&T Park in San Francisco and happened to be by the back wall looking at the water and watching the sunset, just as a Giants home run came sailing out of the park and into the water.  We got to see a kayaker pursue chase and fish the home run ball out of the water.  Now that’s a true San Francisco experience!

Rule #8:  Download out a baseball stadium app.   Now don’t spend your time with your nose in your phone. You should be looking around, not down. That being said, there are some fun apps to help you get more out of the experience.  MLB has one called At the Ball Park which gives you information about all the MLB stadiums.  For Comerica Park, I found that there’s a list of favorite tunes by Tiger Players you can purchase,  that standing on ballpark seats is prohibited,  and that Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, is just across the street.  You can Facebook a selfie of you and The Drummer Dude from the Park in front of those big cool Tigers out front. And, you can start a check-in list of which ball fields you have been to.  One down, my friend. 

Rule #9:   Don’t be an asshole.   (Not that you ever would, Nicky.  You are too nice for that.) But some folks need reminding.  Even if none of these rules help, and you are having a miserable time-- don’t badmouth the game, talk on your cell phone, complain that you are bored, or get too drunk or pick a fight with your companion.  People really love baseball and we Alaskans so rarely get a chance to get to a real live stadium. So don’t spoil it for the folks around you.  

Rule #10:  Wear your team colors.   If you got gear, put it on.  Get a baseball cap.  Heck, get a big puffy finger if you want.   It will help get you into the crowd “wah”.   I know you both are members of the Krewe of Gambrinus, so dig out your navy, white, and orange Mardi Gras beads.  (It’s okay, it is for baseball, not Mardi Gras so you can wear them out of season. )

Rule #11:   Wear sunscreen if it is a day game.  I forgot one sunny day in Seattle and I ended up with the most scarlet arm and left cheek in the city. We were sitting behind third base.

Rule #12:  I don’t know much about the Detroit Stadium and its location but make sure to catch the ambience outside and around the stadium.  Walk to the game if possible and stop in a sports bar along the way. Soak up the fan vibe and people watch as others walk to the game.  Check out the colorful characters that a game brings out.  Seattle has a great stadium for this guideline. We try to walk from downtown as the crowds start the migration. There’s a great tiny bar about a block from the Stadium call the Triangle  (Yup, two great bars in the world called the Triangle) and we always stop, order their Rainier special and watch people walking to the game.  The Boyfriend especially likes nodding to the rowdy Red Sox fans as they walk by in a sea of polite Mariner aficionados.

Rule #13:  Observe basic baseball etiquette.  Wait to leave or head back to your seat until between batters.  Don’t talk on the cell phone because you are bored.  Keep your peanut shell mess located beneath you and not in your neighbor’s space. Pass the hotdogs or the change down to the person in your row to whom it belongs. Don’t hold a big sign that blocks anyone’s view.

Rule #14:  Watch out for flying balls and bats.  The better your seat, the more likely you are in foul territory.  You are an athletic type, so feel free to jump for it. Drummer Dude seems like the type who would also dive for the ball.  Wimps like me look around me to see who brought their mitts and will provide protection. Remember, like in airplane exits, the nearest saviors may be located behind you.   Or you can reference my column on foul balls and sneak a cafeteria tray into your knapsack.

I am sure readers have other suggestions as well.  I'd love to hear them.

And yes, security is going to check your purse or bag before you go into the park, so be discreet about your tampons. Have an awesome time. Facebook us all a picture with those awesome Tigers!

Scouting Report from the Drummer Dude: The Roaring Detroit Tigers

NOTE: As of this posting, Detroit comes out of the gate strong with a 5-2 record and boasting 1st in American League Central Division

Scouting Report from The Drummer Dude from Homer

When you think of the Detroit Tigers these days you think of Miguel Cabrera chasing his second triple crown; that is the highest batting average, number of home runs, and runs batted in (RBI) over a full regular season. Looking at Miguel’s preseason numbers he is on track compared to his 2012-preseason stats when he achieved his first triple crown. Miggy is also injury free at the moment. Last year he was bothered by injuries. This winter Miggy underwent major core muscle surgery and arrived at spring training with focus and drive. 

The 2014 Detroit Tigers have a new look with the loss of some notable losses due to the letting go of eight free agents. Overpaid Prince Fielder is out no doubt due to his lack lustered post-season performance of the years freeing up some cash to keep MVP Cabrera and Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. Jhonny Peralta is no longer, after being suspended for 50 games towards the end of the season to doping charges by the MLB. 

 Also, gone are Doug Fister and Joaquin Benoit. A welcome loss is the closer Joaquin Benoit. Remember David Ortiz batting a homer out of the park? Set up man Jose Veras is also gone. Above all this there is a new manager in town, Brad Ausmus, replacing Jimmy Leyland. Brad is a rookie himself, having left baseball for three years before returning to manage a MLB team. Wow, he is only 44 years of age. He is noted for carrying a catcher’s glove everywhere and does not allow smoking in the clubhouse. He also noted for being cryptic regarding every decision he makes, similar to Jimmy Leyland. The new look for the team puts Ian Kinsler in at second base, a former All Star and perhaps a better defensive player than Omar Infante. With Miggy taking over first base from the loss of Prince, rookie Nick Castellanos will take the third base. The young wildcard is talked about rookie of the year. Time will tell. 

 The bullpen took a big hit with the loss of Fister. Drew Smyley moves into the rotation now and Joe Nathan will replace Benoit as the closer. The bullpen is a wide-open guess as to how it is going to fare through the season. Starters include the injury plagued Justin Erlanger, who threw a perfect game in spring training after core muscle surgery in January. And yes he and Kate Upton are dating again. 

Max is back along with Anibal Sanchez, Rick Procello, and Drew Smyly. Look for Luke Putkonen to step up and play a larger role this season. Victor Martinez back and healthy and expected to play the full season as DH. The outfield remains solid with Torii Hunter, Andy Dirks (out until June with a back injury), and Austin Jackson. Alex Avila returns to catcher along with Bryan Holiday from the Reds. 

Detroit looks weaker this year on paper, but so do the other AL Central teams. Expect them to take the AL Central and we will all see how the post-season drama plays out come September. Play ball!