Whether you agree with it or not, politics are the very fabric of our lives. Unfortunately politics affects every aspect of our lives and not even MLB can escape this reality.
MLB is being dragged into the Arizona immigration debate and, therefore, must take a stance to protect its interests in Arizona. The reality includes the Diamondbacks and Spring Training in Arizona. Another major burning political issue is whether or not Arizona polticians will approve public funding for a new spring training ballpark for the Cubs in Mesa City, Arizona. Will Arizona's politicians take the chance of losing the Cubs to Florida?
MLB has already invested in Arizona to host the 2011 All-Star game and there is no reason they should make any premature actions that will cost the league. For all we know Arizona's immigration law may be overturned or deemed unconstitutional by the time the 2011 All-Star game comes around. MLB's decision to move the 2011 All-Star game from Arizona is a double-edged sword. MLB is in the business of making money by increasing fans and its actions would upset individuals on both sides of the immigration debate.
The decision to host the 2011 All-Star game was made prior to the passing of Arizona's SB 1070 and MLB must stay the course!
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
2009 and Welcome 2010 MLB Season
Dear Baseball Fans,
Baseball is finally in the air, but it feels like just yesterday that the New York Yankees inaugurated their new Yankee Stadium and then beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2009 World Series. Yankee Stadium was not the only new ballpark to open last season, or in New York for that matter. Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, also opened its doors.
The Florida Marlins and the Minnesota Twins also had some exciting ballpark activity in 2009.
On July 18, 2009, the Marlins finally broke ground on their long awaited new ballpark. The new Marlins Ballpark is scheduled to open by Opening Day 2012, and you can watch its progress on the Marlins New Ballpark webcam. The Marlins current home also changed its names from Dolphin Stadium to Land Shark Stadium. One would have thought that one name change would be enough, but in January 2010, the stadium was renamed, yet again, to Sun Life Stadium.
On October 11, 2009, the Twins played their last game in the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome. Unfortunately, their last game was a loss to the New York Yankees as they swept the American League Divisional Series. During this last game the temperature inside the dome was a cool 73 degrees while outside it was well below freezing. This will definitely add a challenge for late season games in the Twins new home; Target Field has been built without a roof, not even a retractable one.
The Twins will open Target Field with two exhibition games against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 2-3, 2010 and the Inaugural Season Home Opener at Target Field will be on Monday, April 12, 2010, against the Boston Red Sox. We wish the Twins the best of luck with their Target Field Inaugural Season!
The 2010 MLB Season, as always, will be exciting and MLB hopes that attendances will reflect our slowly improving economy. In 2009 MLB welcomed over 73 million fans, the fifth-highest total in the history.
Baseball fans, families and “Ballpark Chasers” are all ready to head out to the parks for some fun. So, let’s get ready for the boys of summer and have a great and safe 2010 MLB Season!
Play Ball,
Roberto
30 Ballparks and a Baby
Read more at: www.30ballparksandababy.com
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Washington Nationals’ Space Coast Stadium visit, March 21, 2010
March 25, 2010 - On Monday, March 21, 2010, we had the opportunity to meet with the Nationals Space Coast Stadium located in Viera, Florida. The Mets were in town to play the Nationals and, although the Nats have had a tough Spring Training, they were coming off a win over the Marlins, a game we also attended. At the end the Nationals beat the Mets 7-5 and we had the opportunity to see two back-to-back Nationals’ wins.
Located in Viera (Melbourne), Florida and built in 1993.
Spring Training home of the Washington Nationals and “regular season facility for the Brevard County Manatees, the Florida State League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.”
The complex includes several practice fields on the property itself.
Once Spring Training is done, the Stadium is used by the Manatees and also hosts the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Nationals and other baseball games.
The Climatic Tiki Bar and Nats Tiki:
In left field there is a Tiki Bar and picnic area, which is sponsored by Climatic. Island Mike’s built the Tiki Bar and donated a “Tiki” to the Nationals. The Tiki has been named
“Nats Tiki” and is the center piece of the Florida Nationals marketing campaign as they use him in the community, parade him throughout the stadium for games and use him to reach out to kids and fans a like. In February of 2010 the Florida Nationals created the “Nats Tiki” Facebook page and now have over 600 fans. The experience at Space Coast Stadium was a great one and I am confident that I will return in the future to watch Nationals play again.
The experience at Space Coast Stadium was a great one and I am confident that I will return in the future to watch Nationals play again.
Read more at: www.30ballparksandababy.com
Saturday, October 10, 2009
You love your team, but did we love your ballpark?
Our tour consisted of experiencing each ballpark that we visited. All thirty of them. During our travels we wrote notes of each ballpark, including the price of parking, architecture, food, the mascot even the kiddie section. Now that the playoffs are in full swing we recount what we liked about the parks of the condenters in the National and American division today.
LAD @ STL play tonight at 6:07 pm in St. Louis, but how do their ballparks rank to us?
Ballpark #15- July 26, 2009-(Los Angeles, CA)- Dodger Stadium is a historic landmark in Southern California located in the Chavez Ravine.This ballpark offers the best views in baseball. To the south you can see downtown L.A. and to the north and east fans have a beautiful vista of hilly terrain and lush vegetation. A sign up on the hill says “THINK BLUE” after all, this is L.A. and they like to put signs on hills.
Ballpark #5- June 1, 2009 (St. Louis, MO)- Busch Stadium is alot of fun. No doubt Cardinals fans love their team! This evening game was packed. The panoramic view of the St. Louis skyline from the stadium is impressive, especially at night. This one is a very modern stadium, but they still have the old scoreboard on display, which is cool. This is home of the All-Star Game this year and you can feel the energy building up-- everything has the All-Star Game insignia on it--Albert Pujols played that evening and gave the fans quite a scare when he slid into second base and hurt himself. Luckily, it wasn't too bad and he continued to play. The Cardinals lost 3-5 to the Reds. What made this game memorable: We had great seats, right behind the visitors dugout on the third-base line.
Read more at: www.30ballparksandababy.com
PHI @ COL play tonight at 9:37 pm in Denver, but how do their ballparks rank to us?
Ballpark #29- September 29, 2009- (Philadelphia, PA)- Citizens Bank Park is beautifully crafted. An open outfield provides a fantastic view of the Philly skyline and the open-air walk-around concourses give you uninterrupted view of the park for when you decide to get up to grab a Philly cheesesteak sub! The "Phanatic Phunzone" located by the first base gate is perfect for little kids 8 and under, like Sofia, and the "Phanatic Attic" houses an 8-foot fiberglass Phanatic. Guest services does give out a beautiful "First visit to the Park" certificate. Back on the field. Citizens Park features a bowl-style seating which means you are basically 23 feet below street level.
Ballpark #20- August 13, 2009- (Denver, CO)- Stormy weather rocked Coors Field today, but not enough to deter the Rockies from delivering a win against the Pirates 10-1. Maybe it had something to do with the altitude or the effect thin air has on pitching (More). Opened in 1995, this ballpark is one of the nicer ones. Located in lower downtown Denver, an area with a mix of apartment residences, restaurants and small businesses. We parked in a stadium lot for $10. The stadium is made of red brick and dark green wrought iron and has a great view of the Rocky Mountains in the first base and right field areas. the center field bleacher section is informally called "the Rockpile". The purple seats in the stadium put you at a mile high in the air.
Read more at: www.30ballparksandababy.com
Home SAFE!
Our tour of 30 ballparks with our baby Sofia ended on October 2, 2009. Our return home was bitter-sweet. Sure its great to sleep in your own bed, but the memories of the tour of a lifetime will forever remain as an important part of the history of our family. This creates a bit of nostalgia. Our 90 day-plus road-trip saw us through the most beautiful scenery our country has to offer. How else can you watch a meteor shower in the Utah Arches, literally walk on glass over the Grand Canyon cliffs, go fishing for Salmon in Seattle all while taking in the American past time at each home team turf? OK. It wasn't all fun and games. This trip was work. From the planning to the posting of journals to the driving, diaper changes, feedings, while conducting interviews with the media and potential employers, our tour was a journey of self-discovery. Here you had three people, mom, dad and a 4-month old taking on a trip of a lifetime. For us it was about discovering each other and spending every waking moment with our new baby. Could we survive as a couple spending 24/7 together? We did it!
Judy, Roberto and Baby Sofia
See how we did it: www.30ballparksandababy.com
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