Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Diego Padres Game Wrap Up




Last night we went to Petco Park to see a game as something to do while in San Diego for a family reunion. Partly went because we love going to baseball games and mostly because Mik's favorite team was in town. The Diamondbacks lost, but it was still a pretty exciting game with lots of scoring. I was a little disappointed that Jon Rauch, who was recently traded to the Diamondbacks from the Nationals and is the tallest Major League Baseball player ever, did not pitch at all.

The Padres got on the board with a 2-run home run by Khalil Greene in the 2nd inning. The Diamondbacks then came back in the 3rd with a 3-run home run by Montero. The Padres put the game out of reach, though, with a 9 batter inning that included a 3-run home run and a total of 6 runs. The Diamondbacks kept the Padres from scoring the rest of the game, but were only able to get 1 more run in the 6th themselves. Thus the Padres won 8-4.

Overall this was a fun game, but we did have some annoying people behind us and distractions of security coming by several times to confiscate alcohol that group brought in. Plus they were using a lot of foul language and we certainly did not appreciate them using that foul language to bash the Diamondbacks. I do not care if people root for their own team, but I do not think it is ever appropriate to bash other teams and I think the players themselves can agree with that.

Also, Petco Park is one confusing ballpark that is pretty horrible for being among the new ballparks. I remember sitting next to the building in the left outfield the first year it was open and we could not even see the scoreboard. We could see it this time from the Right Outfield seats, but getting there with Mik in his wheelchair took us quite some time and involved us going up and down elevators and up ramps. I did not mind too much since we got like a small tour of the ballpark, but it is sad that the three ushers gave us bad directions and the signs are not at all clear about where the elevators are at for specific sections.

See more photos I took at the game here.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Iowa Cubs @ Tucson Sidewinders Game Wrap Up

Yesterday my dad and I went to the final Thirsty Thursday ever for the Tucson Sidewinders. We mainly went to get at least one more game in before the end of their 40th and final season in Tucson, as next season they will be moved to Reno, Nevada. We almost went to the game on Tuesday, but decided it would be cheaper to go Thursday with the $1 sodas and beer. Big mistake the more expensive drinks would have been worth it because it would have meant less annoying drunks in our section and beer would not have been spilled from the row behind us stockpile onto my bag.

Anyways it was not an enjoyable game atmosphere wise, but the baseball action was at least eventful. The Iowa Cubs basically slaughtered the Sidewinders by winning 15 to 7, but at least the Sidewinders did hit a Grand Slam in the 3rd inning and that is the first one I have ever seen in person.




I love going to the AAA games since it is a local team and will definitely miss having a team. I can remember going to them as early as 1994 when we moved to Tucson and the team was the Tucson Toros playing at Hi Corbett Field. Since then they became the Sidewinders, we got two more Major League teams Spring Training here, and we have had a professional softball team. The softball team failed after its 2nd year (the league is still going well, just the AZ team failed). The Sidewinders are being moved away and the White Sox are moving their Spring Training to the Phoenix area. Basically it is sad that baseball action is quickly diminishing here, but at least there is at least some Spring Training action staying here.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Backyard Baseball 2009 for Nintendo Wii

I tried this game out today and thought it would be something good baseball related to post about on this blog, as I do not have any updates to the trip planning at this time.



I am not much into playing baseball video games because I find them too complex, especially on most console gaming systems, however, I have been a fan of Backyard Baseball for years. I used to play it on my computer, but stopped when the version I had no longer worked on my newer operating system. When I saw the Wii version it seemed like it could be an interesting way to play it.

It was fun for a little while, but it is not as good as the computer versions I have played. The graphics are not any better after all these years and the Major League player selection continues to disappoint me even though it has gotten better. The one thing I do like is the controls have remained relatively simple. The thing is, though, that it does not use the Wii sensor capabilities much at all. You do not even swing it like your batting, but rather just flick it in the same motion as pitching.

Overall it is more enjoyable than Wii Sports Baseball, as you actually get to control your fielding and there are some fun batting and pitching power ups. It is, however, not all that amazing and only worth actually purchasing if you find it for under $20. I for one I am glad I just rented it and did not buy it. I think the computer versions of this game remain great, but their move to the console has yet to create a parallel quality playing experience.