The old ball park.

A while back there was a commercial for Master Card where a group of guys visited every MLB baseball park throughout the U.S. They did it over a summer of what I recall. That was a trip of a lifetime to a baseball fan...and one that could continue on with all of the new parks being built each year.

I have been to probably a 1/3 of all of the ball parks and every time I walk in, the "Wow" factor hits. There is something really amazing about venturing into a stadium where your favorite team is not playing. In my case I don't know the players, I don't know the manager, I know nothing about the team. (Well I know the name of the team but not always the name of the stadium.)

When you go to a stadium with a professional camera the first question you get is, "Are you a professional? and "Do you work for Sports Illustrated?" I have never had the guts to say "Yes and Yes" even as a joke. But there is a benefit to having a very large lens and professional looking camera. You can often get very close to field level, or near it, just by asking. It's rare that I get turned down.

The tact I use, and so far none of the ushers have taken me up on it, is to say, "If you would like the pictures from tonight's game, I will send you a disc." They appreciate it, and boy do they let you hang around down by the field for as long as you want. But, when you make the offer to people sitting in the nearby seats, the first question out of everyone's mouth is, "How much will you charge me?" The answer is always the same. "Just give me your address and I will send you a disc for free." I always send it by the way.

A couple of years ago I visited Fenway Park in Boston. I had never been there and was sitting in dead center field. The seats were great, the fans were crazy, and my only concern was, "How am I going to get a hot dog as I was in the middle of a long row?" My option, I stopped for food after the game. However, I was able to take a walk during one of the innings and made it to the home plate area. Sure enough, the words "please" and "thank you" got me down to the first row right behind first base. I was escorted by one of the ushers to my seat, he asked me, "Is this okay?" What a thrill.

The photo above is one of my favorites from the evening. It showcases one of baseballs most treasured stadiums---Fenway Park! If you have been there then you know it is old, but the memories just pop out from all over---some of baseball's greatest players played on this field. It was a WOW moment.

This summer, it will get here eventually, try something new like going to a ballpark or site seeing; it doesn't matter if it's the city you live in, or one your are visiting. It's just fun. Oh, and bring a camera with you to capture the memory.

Thanks for stopping by.