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

Sofia dials up two wins for the Nationals

March 28, 2010 - The Nationals have had a tough time getting wins during this 2010 Spring Training; prior to March 20, 2010 their record was 3-13. We went to the Nationals play two games, and I don’t know what it was, maybe Sofia’s call, but they won both games.

On Sunday, March 21, 2010, we went to Jupiter, Florida to visit the Roger Dean Stadium, home of the Florida Marlins who hosted the Washington Nationals. We were torn on whom to root for since we are originally from South Florida but now the Nationals are our home team.

The Nationals came into this game ready to win! One of our favorite former Marlins and now Nationals, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, was in the line-up. First Baseman, Chris Duncan, who since this game has been cut, started the game with a solid double that put the Nats on the board first. The 6^th inning was hot, and both the Nats and the Marlins went on a tear scoring four (4) runs each. Although the Nationals escaped the inning still in the lead, 7-6, the old Nats started to appear, as they seemed to lose focus on the game. Luckily, at the end, the Nationals, with their solid hitting, beat the Marlins, 9-7, adding another win to their poor Spring Training record. Check out Facebook for pictures of the Nationals vs. Marlins, March 21, 2010

The next day, March 22, 2010, we drove north to the Space Coast Stadium in Veira Beach to see the Nationals take on the Mets. The Nationals picked up where they left off the day before. In the first inning Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo homer and then in the second inning Josh Willingham homered. Zimmerman was not done; he homered again in the 5^th inning giving the Nationals a solid lead that they would hold to beat the Mets 7-5. Check out Facebook for pictures of the Mets vs. Nationals, March 22, 2010

This weekend the Nationals picked up two wins to improve their record to 5-13. The one positive thing for the Nationals and their poor Spring Training is that they have had the opportunity to get a good look at their players. Remember last years Spring Training; the Nationals had a much better record 15-17, although still under .500, they ended up losing over 100 games. Hopefully this year, with such a poor Spring Training record they will be able to improve their regular season play, win some more games and prevent having the league’s worst record

Good Luck Nats and we look forward to seeing you play this season.

Read more at: www.30ballparksandababy.com

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.

Space Coast Stadium:

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

“Baseball’s Unknown Angel” by Randall B. Hamel

On June 26, 2009, during our 30 Ballpark Tour, we visited Tropicana Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. During this stop we met a very special young man, Nick Hamel. Nick is phenomenal! As you can see, Nick suffers from Spina Bifida and is confined to a wheelchair, but this doesn’t stop him from getting out to the ballpark. In fact, when he is not at the ballpark he is busy calling ballplayers across the country and catching up with them.

Now, his father, Randy Hamel has just released “Baseball’s Unknown Angel,” an inspirational book about Nick. Randy says that “this is a story of one child faced with incredible odds, but with the help of Major League Baseball and faith, not only persevered but influenced the lives of so many by his extraordinary acts of kindness and sincerity.” Nick definitely touched our lives!

Yesterday I got my copy of “Baseball’s Unknown Angel” and know that it will be an inspirational book. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to everyone.

Buy “Baseball’s Unknown Angel” by Randall B. Hamel

Read more at: www.30ballparksandababy.com