Saturday, April 9, 2011

Kj's Baseball Collection: All Star Game 2011


I did not plan to get a ball at Opening Day 2011 at the Dbacks because I already have so many Dbacks balls and not to mention other baseballs, so am now much pickier. However, I kind of liked the idea of an All Star Game ball for my collection, although I did not particularly think this one was awesome enough to get, but Dad got it for me anyways when he went to the Team Shop.

Mik's Mini Bat Collection: All Star Game 2011


Mik was happy that they had a mini bat for the All Star Game 2011 when we went to Opening Day 2011. He was afraid he would have to wait until later in the season and we are not exactly planning another Dbacks game this season, especially since we can actually see Triple A baseball in Tucson this year. The mini bat is his favorite color red and he liked the logo, but I am surprised it did not have the Arizona A in the logo like some of the All Star stuff including my ball.

Arizona Diamonbacks Opening Day 2011: Dbacks beat Reds 13 to 2



Yesterday we went to the Dbacks home opener. Mik was happy to get the lanyard giveaway to replace his red one from last year that is getting kind of dirty looking since he has used it for a year for his school ID.

Chase Field has not changed much, but there is some minor changes. For one, there is a All Star Game signage and merchandise, since the game is at Chase Field this season. Secondly, some of the food vendors have changed. Some might think it is good and to some extent it might be for those that need Gluten-Free stuff (there is now a place just for that), but the pizza is a major downgrade. Forever it has been Peter Piper Pizza (Arizona based chain) and now it is some stupid New York style pizza place. Now I do not know what kind of pizza Peter Piper would be classified as and it is not spectacular, but it is better than the new stuff, which I do not even think is actually New York style pizza.

This year we sat in section 138. The first time we went to opening day we say just two sections over in 140 and boy what a difference that makes. 138 just stinks handicap section wise. If you are lower in the section it would be fine, but at the top you cannot see the scoreboard except a bit of the corner due to the overhang. It even seems worse when the section to the left is obstructed at the top and gets TVs to compensate for no scorebord view. I do not get why 138 and probably 137 does not also get that. 138 also has the foul pole, but I did not mind that. At least you can see the Circle K strikeout meter, though.

I do not know if the problem is 138 area or the sound system being louder this year, but Mik was almost in tears covering his ears and ready to scream when we first got there and the sound system was playing stuff constantly. He has never acted like that at any ballpark before due to sound, especially not one we go to pretty much just because he is the Dbacks fan. It was still loud during the game, but it was not constant sound due to it being quiet during play.

We ended up leaving at the 7th inning stretch because Mik fell asleep and we wanted to get out of the parking garage before they closed if for the post-game fireworks. We missed the big scoring, but heard and saw the fireworks for the homers.