On Father's Day Sunday June 15, 2014, I went to the Orioles vs Blue Jays game at Camden Yards with my Dad. The weather was excellent, bright and sunny. There was a Father's Day Give-A-Way just like almost every Father's Day at Camden Yards. This year's Give-A-Way was an Orioles Fedora to the first 20,000 Men 18 or older.
 |
| Orioles Father's Day 2014 Fedora Give-A-Way |
The Orioles also have started holding a unique event at Camden Yards on Father's Day. They sell a package which includes 2 tickets, 2 baseballs and an on-field experience.
 |
| Pre-Game Panorama |
The on-field experience allows you to play catch on the field at Camden Yards prior to the game. The money raised in the package goes to one of the Oriole's charities and the package price this year was around $100-$124 depending on the option you picked I already had tickets for the game so I didn't do the above package (this is at least the 2nd year the Orioles have done this so they will likely do it next year too).
 |
| Father's Day 2014 pre-game catch on the field |
For this game with my Dad, I decided to buy club level tickets at the Orioles Left Field All-Inclusive Picnic Perch. The Picnic Perch is at club level in section 282 - 288 almost right above the bullpen area if your familiar with Camden Yards.
 |
| Left Field All-Inclusive Picnic Perch Food Area |
The All-Inclusive Picnic Perch includes all you can eat hot dogs, peanuts, nachos, popcorn, ice cream, and soda through the 7th inning of the game. The average price for the tickets is around $40 in this section but price varies based on who the Orioles play (I got mine for $33 a piece as a Season Ticket holder). Behind the seats (what would be the concessions stands in the section) is the location where you can pick up the All-Inclusive food and sit down at one of the many picnic tables.
 |
| Hot Dogs, Nachos and Soda |
The food was decent at the Picnic Perch, a very good quality hot dog. This is great if you get to the ballpark early. Me and my Dad arrived at gate opening and there were very few people there so it was quick and easy to get food as well as seconds. Later on in the game it seemed to take a little bit longer to get extra food and refills (but I expected a bit of a crowd on Father's Day anyway...it was a sell-out). If you figure though that most seats in the Stadium will set you back about $15-$20 and so long as you are hungry the Picnic Perch ticket isn't a bad deal. You don't get much of a variety of food but I think families will enjoy it since kids can help themselves (and you don't have to worry about the wads of cash you shell out for each soda/popcorn/hot dog).
 |
| View out of Stadium from the Picnic Perch Tables |
One of the nice things about Club Level was you can check out many of the Club Level Lounges, Bars, and Stores. They were much less crowded than anywhere else in the Stadium and they are air-conditioned (which would help on warm sunny days like this Sunday for people who want to get out of the heat). The Club Level even has its own small team store which when me and my Dad went in were the only ones in there. The Orioles also have some of their trophies on display at Club Level which was nice to see.
 |
| World Series Trophy at Club Level |
 |
| Cal Ripken Jr.'s Gold Glove at Club Level |
Overall, I thought the Picnic Perch was worth the $33. I would have easily spent that on almost hot dogs and soda alone inside the Stadium. I also enjoyed seeing what club level was like.
 |
| View from Club Level Seats (Section 288) |
The seats also had an excellent view. The only downside is there is no shade in these seats. I didn't mind much but I'm sure plenty of people were bothered since it was about 80 and sunny (I myself got sunburn). So if you do get these seats just be ready to be in the sun (you can always go inside the club level and watch the game at one of the lounges if you can't take the heat). For evening games there you'd be in the shade for most of the game after around 8PM.
 |
| Club Level Panorama from Section 288 |
The game against Toronto Blue Jays. Well I was hoping for a win to see the Orioles pick up some games on Toronto. Chris Tillman was pitching and unfortunately gave up a run in the first inning. He started to struggle for a few innings and got some high pitch counts per inning. The Orioles scored their first run in the 6th inning after Tillman gave up three runs through 5 innings. Surprisingly Tillman pitched through the 7th inning (he got lucky and got a few quick innings). The Orioles bullpen gave up 2 more runs in the 8th and the O's only managed to score another run in the bottom of the 8th.
 |
| Fedora at Club Level |
The Orioles ended up losing the game 2-5. Luckily though, it would turn out that they would split the 4 game series 2-2.
No comments:
Post a Comment