:: Life on Planet Dan-E ::

:: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 ::

:: Ballpark Review Part V ::

Almost done. Only place left is Turner Field. I went back and added the dates we attended each place so you could track our progress.

ORIOLE PARK at CAMDEN YARDS – BALTIMORE

Saturday, June 26.

For a place that's still relatively new (opened in 1992) Camden Yards has an amazing classic ambiance. Perhaps it's the magnificent warehouse that serves as the right field backdrop. Perhaps it's feeling that you're surrounded by art and history. Perhaps it's probably the park itself. There's a sense of the days of old walking around the venue. And no wonder, since this is where Ryan Minor, Harold Bainse, Roberto Alomar, Albert Belle, Eddie Murray and the near-immortal Cal Ripken once called home.

Architecture:
Camden’s unique feature is that old B&O Warehouse - built in 1905 and restored brick by brick - that stands proudly alongside the park. As for the stadium itself, it's constructed of steel and brick that shares it's style and tones with the old buildings that surround it. Like PNC, it blends in quite well with its surroundings but PNC stands out as a piece of postmodern art. Camden on the other hand, feels familiar, like you've seen this place before. Like you've been here. The earth-toned brick, the green steel gates that swing wide open to welcome you in, the brick wall up behind home plate. It's as comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans.

Between the park and the warehouse is Eutaw Street. There are food and beverage stands and little shops so it’s fun just to stroll around and admire your surroundings.

If you go to a day game, get a seat high up along the third base line so not only are you treated to a scene of the warehouse and the skyline behind center, as well as a good view of the field, but it's probably the coolest spot in the park with the awning overhead. The seats themselves were quite comfy and those along the baselines were angled toward home to ease its guests from sore necks.

But no matter where you sit, the beautiful aesthetics invite you to look around and take in the sights, even after you've been there a couple of hours. Once there you can't imagine a better place to watch a good game... *****

Ballpark Experience:
...or so I imagine. Despite being twelve years old, Camden can still stand tall next to the newer ballparks. The only thing it can't do, is guarantee a good game. One negative part of this review is that the game was a snoozer. It ended up being a 5-0 loss to Atlanta. A couple of stolen bases couldn't help the fact that the Orioles fell behind early and never recovered.

But there was that party before and during the game. In an effort to get people back to Camden, Orioles execs sponsored a summer concert series just outside and we were treated to some great ska music by a band called... something something Senators (I can’t quite remember). It featured a guitar, bass, a horn section and a drummer who also happened to be the lead singer (hard to do). During one of the solos, we witnessed a cowbell exhibition that would have brought tears of joy to Christopher Walken.

There were vendors out on the street that were selling not just hot dogs and burgers, but chicken and steak sandwiches and at surprisingly low prices. Combine that with the park’s policy of allowing outside drinks in and we took full advantage. ****

Quality of the Food:
As good as everything looked outside, there were some wonderful smells emanating from with Camden and we, or rather, I had to try some stuff out. The hot dogs here, considering how great everything else was, were merely ok. I think it may have been a conspiracy to lure the attendees into buying the higher priced albeit better tasting alternatives.

That smell I was alluding to earlier came from Boog's Barbecue out on Eutaw St. Like the BBQ places at PNC and Philly, they sold pulled pork and beef sandwiches. My inquiries into their quality resulted in a some enthusiastic comments. Unfortunately, my budget only allowed one indulgence and I chose to do so in the form of a pretty good crabcake sandwich. After all, this was Maryland. I can only imagine just how tasty the other items on the menu might be. ****1/2

Beer Selection:
There's the standard selection of beers around the concourse as well as the numerous beer stands (you really have to try to get dehydrated here). But beer snobs are in for a treat if they stop by the Baltimore Brew Pub, right inside the warehouse. Nice and all inside but you notice an impressive eight different beers from around the world available at the bar. Reasonable prices too. Nothing you can't find at an average restaurant but a particularly nice touch at a ballpark. *****

Intangibles:
Had the game been a little bit better I'm sure my overall impression would have been a little better, but that’s like saying my project could have been a 99 instead of 90. Maybe because the game was boring the audience was surprisingly placid. Even when introducing the starting lineup the cheers weren’t what you’d expect of a near capacity crowd. And it was in stark contrast to the boisterous mood of the crowd out on Eutaw as well as before the game.

Still, this was beautiful Camden Yards. Those who don't know would be surprised to find out that it's twelve years old, with an equal mix of "it's already twelve?" and "it's only twelve?" Somehow the designers of this place achieved that magical "just right" feel. History was made here. History will continue to be made here. And in the meantime this will be a place where kids will go to dream the dream; where fathers take their sons and daughters to teach them the joys and intricacies of America's pastime; where fans come to witness the great moments that can happen during a ballgame. *****

:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 12:18 AM [+] :: | 0 comments
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