Ballpark number 12 was yet another game (partially) on the company dime. Snuck down a day early to Huntsville and rented a car to head east about three hours. I was unfamiliar with Northern Alabama’s game and was blown away from the drive through the Tennessee River Valley that PARTS of rivaled the Pacific Coast Highway. The ballpark itself was kind of meh with a cramped concourse and seats but the people were all pretty nice! If the Astros lead the league in merch the Braves must be…. rebuilding. Secured probably the most boring ball of the collection in a 85 degree day but the Atlanta humidity made it HOOOOOOT. I left quite early from the game with not a cloud in the sky but got DUMPED on out of nowhere as I was making the half mile hike back to the car. Overall it was a “nice but not cool” park that may be too new to have much character. It gave off that dreaded “corporate mall” feel instead of a cool ballpark.

Took an early Spring road trip to tent camp down in Houston to see an Opening Weekend game against the Angel's (we're a week into the season and I have yet to watch a Royals game...) Missed out on an opportunity to eat authentic Tex-Mex at Ninfa's the day before the game (margarita's are different in that town), but WERE able to get to Truth's BBQ the morning of the game. Much of it didn't live up to the hype, but the tater tot casserole and the pork ribs softened the blow because WOW. The space center is a must if we ever go back, but need to remember to spring for the tram tour, as there wasn't much bang for the buck of the GA ticket. The roof was closed for the 80 degree day game, rendering my seat in the shade up the first base line useless. Hindsight would tell us the nosebleeds would've been the move, as the views from up high in that park are incredible. It should also be noted that the Astro's lead the league in merch, as we got the prettiest ball yet (per Shelby), as well as a few t-shirts. Had the famous H-town hot chicken loaded fries and took a stroll out to the outfield to catch the end of a close game out on the RF concourse. Overall my quote of "I hate how much this place makes me not hate the Astro's" perfectly encompasses how I felt about the experience. So far, Daikin takes the cake for best indoor stadium I've been to yet! After the game, we drove back in the most horrendous traffic we've ever been a part of.      P.S. Galveston is much prettier at sunset than mid-day!

Weekend getaway to the Land of Sky Blue Waters to see the Royals play. Stayed at an Airbnb in the Lake Nokomis area and it was INCREDIBLY pleasant for hiking, walking, fishing, and shopping. The Juicy Lucy at Matt's Bar was a bit overrated, but the orange-brazed pork belly sandwich at Busters on 28th Ave. was the highlight of the trip (after Target Field). We rode the train into downtown for an warm, overcast day at the park. Royals lost on a walkoff single, but Twins fans were so nice and welcoming you barely even knew. Overall, a very nice ballpark located in downtown Minneapolis that is incredibly easy to access by train. Mall of America the next day to grab souvenirs before driving back home the next day.

Attended the last ever Royal's game in Oakland, California but OUR FIRST GAME AS AN ENGAGED COUPLE. #SaveTheAs failed and they're off to be another corporate baseball team in a city that doesn't care. I got to use the piss trough in Baseball's Last Dive Bar, and was greeted with nothing but kindness from the A's fans in attendance. The stadium had a sort of crusty charm to it that I can only explain as a throwback to a pure baseball watching experience. The place is a throwback to before the days of Gourmet eats and Wi-Fi at your seat. It felt like I was at a game with my dad as a young kid. Decrepit concrete, sunshine and God damn baseball game. No local food trucks, no sous chef, no microbreweries... your options are hot dogs, and beer. The people of Oakland deserve much better. The game itself was worth a watch as Freddy Fermin hit 2 solo shots and Bobby Witt hit the go-ahead HR in the top of the 8th. Although I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a small part of me that wished the A's would've sent us home with a loss on their way to winning the whole damn thing.

People aren’t kidding when they call it FRISCO Bay. The new Giants hoodie didn’t hold up to the cold Pacific Air coming in off the bay during the chili night game. Had a scenic view of the water from the first base side of home plate, and my then girlfriend (smirk) doubled down on the Lumpia spring rolls. Learned to steer clear of the outfield in the later innings because there are college kids stumbling over each other (Shelby found a girl barricaded in a stall passed out drunk and the Paramedics couldn't get to her). Came back the next day to Kayak McCovey Cove and I fought back tears as they started to sing the National Anthem because that was “THE COOLEST THING I'VE EVER DONE!!!" Got to see some of the last Giants games before Willie Mays died but for some reason didn’t come back to see all the flowers on his statue. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Quick lil trippy trip to Tejas to see the solar eclipse. Went car camping in the 4Runner, slept surprisingly well, made us ponder if "...we camper people?" TexMex at Mariano's was incrdible, Hurtado's BBQ was even better. Sat in the nosebleeds out in LF. Watching the roof being taken off the place was worth the trip alone. The ballpark is MASSIVE but there's not a ton to do outside of pack yourself into the seat and watch corporate baseball.

Left the day after training in DC EARLY to make the Saturday Matinee in the blazing heat. Skyline Chili is disgusting, but I scored a new Reds hat and Ken Griffey Jr. t-shirt. Andrew Abbott got torn apart but Elly De La Cruz came within 20 feet of me on a pop up to foul territory just behind 3B. Beautiful park, but could use some creature features in the outfield concourse overlooking the Ohio River.

Saturday Night Baseball matchup with Shelby in attendance. We sat in the upper deck for one of the prettiest views in baseball. We found Alex Gordon's and Mike Moustakas' HR plates out in RF. Crab dip hot dogs had no business being that good. Baltimore is otherwise terrifying. Eutaw St. lived up to its reputation for pre-game beers. Overall, my favorite park to date.

Stole a trip on the company dime while training in an East Coast road trip. It was BLAZING hot but Ben's Half-Smoke Chili was worth the trip alone. National's Ballpark itself wasn't too impressive and did have much of a personality.

Hiking trip with the Martinez's and Trevor. Sat in the Rock Pile in dead center field, MASSIVE pre-game hail storm (white wale survived). Had a Rocky Mountain Oyster from the third base line concession stand. Didn't puke. Really cool ballpark and surrounding area.

06/07/07 - Trip with mom and Aunt Miss Penn to see my Redlegs. My first MLB game not in Kauffman. 05/30/13 - Trip with Aunt Ms. Penn and Uncle Pat. Michael Wacha's debut. Late-Game Rainout that ended at 2 AM. 05/06/23 - Made a day trip with Sophie and Isaac Abbot (Sophie's boyfriend) to see the Cardinals play the Tigers. The first "ballpark chaser" game where the ball collection started.

Where it all began. #SaveTheK