April 27, 2014, Nationals Park (DC). Bobblehead Give-A-Way, Signature Sunday, and Box Frites.

On Sunday April 27, 2014, I decided to go to the Nationals Game against the San Diego Padres in DC.  After two back to back games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Friday and Saturday I didn't feel so guilty going to the Nationals game over the Orioles.  I wanted to go to the Nationals game since it was a bobblehead give-a-way day, and a signature sunday. 

So the bobblehead give-a-way was for a Jordan Zimmermann bobblehead and it was sponsored by PNC Bank.  On the bobblehead give-a-way days the first 25,000 fans get a bobblehead.  Sunday was the first of six bobblehead days.  The other bobblehead day give-a-ways are May 16 (Wilson Ramos), June 30 (Bryce Harper), July 20 (Denard Span), August 21 (Ian Desmond), and September 27 (Fan Choice/Tyler Clippard). 

Jordan Zimmermann bobblehead give-a-way 4/27/14

For those who want to get the give-a-ways you should arrive to the stadium at least an hour before game time. Generally, if your in the stadium at Nationals Park an hour before the game you should get a give-a-way.  Anytime after that, and its luck of the draw.  People may think its incredibly stupid or not worth getting the give-a-way if your going to the game.  Maybe so, but if you look on e-bay during the game and soon after, you will see people are selling the bobblehead for around $25 - $35 (and getting bids).  Considering you can get Nationals tickets for as low as $10 list price (and sometimes as low as $6 on Stubhub) its not a bad deal to make sure you get the give-a-way even if you don't like it (i.e., you can sell it on e-bay and cover your ticket cost and then some). 

I also got to the park early this Sunday to take advantage of signature sunday as previously mentioned in my April 20, 2014 post.  I arrived at the stadium about 10:05 AM (gates opened at 11:05 AM, 2 1/2 hours before game time).  There wasn't much of a line at the time.  There were two main lines to enter and two lines for season ticket holders only.  I ended up being about the 14 person in line.  As soon as the gates opened I got my bobblehead, and went to Section 109 to get my signature voucher.  I was early enough to assure I got a voucher, I believe they ran out soon after gate opening (i.e., I'd say within the first 10 minutes or so).

After getting my signature voucher I went up to the Miller Lite Scoreboard walk since that is the main area in the Stadium that is open (the rest of the sections past section 109 and 142 on the lower level don't open up until 1 1/2 before the game).

Miller Lite Scoreboard Walk

At the Scoreboard walk bar, they have happy hour drinks.  The happy hour drinks are a 16 oz Coors Light or Miller Lite for $6.  I believe the deal lasts up until the first pitch (and is probably the cheapest place to get a beer inside or outside of the stadium outside of a few local bars during normal weekday happy hour times).

About 15 minutes before noon, I waited by section 142 in order to approach the home team dugout to use my signature voucher (section 128/129 was where one had to go to redeem the signature voucher.  The section past 142 opened at around noon, 1 1/2 hours before game time...the voucher requires you to be in line once the player begins autographing in order to ensure you get an autograph).  

Home Team Dugout by Section 128/129

In my line, Tyler Moore, #12 for the Nationals was signing. Unfortunately, I didn't see who was signing in the other line (the voucher is only good for one signature and the ticket details what section/line to wait in...two different vouchers are available each Sunday depending on if you pick up your voucher in section 109 or 142).

Tyler Moore Autograph Ball from 4/27/14

After waiting in line for about 30 mins or so, I got my autograph (I probably was one of the first 15-20 people or so to get an autograph, but I would estimate about 50-100 people get a signature voucher of each player). 

So after my wait I was making my way to my seat and was a little hungry.  I decided I would stop at Box Frites which is in the 200 level by the Scoreboard Walk.  I really wanted to get some fries.

Box Frites at Nationals Park 200 Level Scoreboard Walk

So Box Frites definitely specializes in fries and has a few other unique items. They had 4 different varieties of fries. I got the garlic fries, but they also have normal fries, sweet potato fries, and bacon cheddar fries. On top of fries they also will give you some of their unique sauces for the fries.  I got smokey bacon sauce, but they have some others like chipotle BBQ, bacon ranch, and a few others I forget (one sauce is free with the fries, but additional sauces will cost you extra).

Garlic Fries from Box Frites at Nationals Park

I also saw a unique hot dog I had to try, the BLT dog.  It was a hot dog with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and smokey bacon sauce.

BLT Dog from Box Frites at Nationals Park

The fries and the hot dog were amazing.  The garlic fries with the smokey bacon sauce were really good.  The hot dog didn't need any additional sauce, the smokey bacon sauce was perfect with the added bacon, tomato and lettuce.  The fries are a little on the expensive side at $8.50 a large (the garlic fires and bacon fries don't come in a small which is $6.50).  The BLT dog was $6.50 which isn't bad for a specialty hot dog in a ballpark (the specialty hot dogs in Camden Yards for comparison are about $9 at Stuggy's as referenced in my post on April 26, 2014 at Camden Yards).  I'd also say the BLT dog for taste actually beat the Stuggy's Crab Mac N Cheese Dog for anyone who is curious.

The game was ok.  Nothing special.  I was shocked though to see the Nationals use 6 pitchers in the game. They pulled Taylor Jordan out of the game in the beginning of the 5th inning.  He only gave up one run, his pitch count was low, which really boggled my mind why you would do such in a tie 1-1 game. The Nationals ended up losing 4-2.

The Orioles also lost their game that day 9-3 so it didn't look like that Sunday would have been a good day for me at either park.

April 26, 2014, Camden Yards (Baltimore). Stuggy's inside Camden Yards.

Saturday night, April 26, 2014, I attended the second game of the Orioles vs. Royals series.  

Before the game I was at a Pre-Game Party held by a local company LGC Sports Marketing (http://www.eventbrite.com/o/lgc-sports-marketing-954632979) with several friends. I've been to three of their Pre-Game Parties before, two of which were Opening Day (2013 and 2014).  The past Pre-Games have been awesome.  The package includes all you can eat food, all you can drink (beer), and a game ticket.  The Pre-Game events are generally 3 hours and have been held at the Hard Rock Cafe and Hooters. Another local company, Bmore Around Town (http://www.bmorearoundtown.com) also holds similar events throughout the year. 

The Pre-Game event for this game though was sub-par compared to the previous 3 events I've been at through the company.  Yes, there was all you can drink (which was good), but their food selection was less than normal (just pulled pork and wings...their previous events included Hamburgers and Hotdogs in addition to Wings and pulled pork).  The location this time was at the Hard Rock and was smaller than the Opening Day event (i.e., we only had 1/2 the outdoor patio).  The total price was about $40 which was ok, but it would have been awesome with a few more food options (and additional room/tables to eat at).

Our seats were the Eutaw Seat Bleachers in Center Field in front of the Scoreboard (Section 94, Row 12). I enjoyed the view of the game, the only downside is you can't really see the giant scoreboard (they do have two smaller scoreboards on the 1st base line and 3rd base line where you can see the score, and all the important stuff like balls/strikes/outs).

View from Center Field Section 94

Since I didn't get enough variety of food at the Pre-Game, I ended up going to Stuggy's.  I've been to Stuggy's before and I was craving their infamous Crab Mac N Cheese Hotdog.  

Stuggy's in Camden Yards off Eutaw St.

Yes thats right...Crab Mac N Cheese on a Hot Dog.  Stuggy's is located inside Camden Yards right off Eutaw Street near the entrance of Gate H (right behind the Scoreboard in Center Field).  Being a local I also applied Old Bay liberally to the Dog.

Stuggy's Crab Mac n Cheese Dog

The hot dog was awesome.  I knew it would be good and definitely filled me up.  The cost of the dog was $9.  Not a bad deal in the Ballpark for anything with Crab (there are tons of crab items in Camden Yards...including Crab Cakes and Waffle Fries with Crab Dip).  Stuggy's also has restaurants outside of the ballpark in Baltimore which are located in Fells Point off Broadway and one in Federal Hill off Cross St (both of which have an even larger incredible selection of hot dogs beyond the ballpark offerings.  http://stuggys.com).  Stuggy's also had a breakfast dog which I believe included bacon, egg and cheese (I'm going to have to try it another time at Camden Yards). 

The game was also excellent.  The Orioles won this time!  They of course wanted to keep fans thrilled by taking it to the bottom of the 10th inning with a 2-2 tie.  The inning started with Jonathan Schoop being hit by the pitch. David Lough came up and bunted to bring Schoop to 2nd base and a throwing error was made to the first base, so Lough also made it safe to 1st. Jemile Weeks came up and also bunted.  Schoop made it to 3rd, Lough to 2nd, and again a throwing error to 1st and Weeks made it safely to 1st.  So bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the 10th.  Nelson Cruz came up. I was hoping for another Cruz grand slam but instead he struck out.  Nick Markakis came up with one out and hit a ball deep Left Field just right of the foul line in fair territory.  Schoop scores!!! Game Over!!! Orioles Win 3-2.

Panorama from Center Field Section 94

April 25, 2014, Camden Yards (Baltimore). On-Field Experience and Fireworks.

I went to the Orioles vs. Royals game at Camden Yards on April 25, 2014.  I received tickets from the game through the Orioles social media campaign program called the Birds Nest (http://osbirdsnest.com).  Basically, you earn points for visiting their Facebook page, re-tweating Orioles posts...etc.  Then you get to use the points/tokens to either buy items or enter contests.  I ended up using my tokens for the On-Field Experience for April 25, 2014.

The On-Field Experience included two tickets to the Lower Left Field Box, and a chance to watch the Firework show on the field after the game (the Orioles have several firework promotion nights, normally on Friday nights).  My tickets ended up being in Section 84, row 12 (in Left/Center Field) where the list price for tickets is $29 a piece.

View from Section 84, row 12

The game wasn't much to talk about.  It was rainy that day and the game was delayed for 55 minutes due to the weather.  It rained off and on during the night.  It was also the one day I got awesome tickets that aren't under cover (just my luck). Thankfully, I pack my backpack with a rain coat to almost every game just in case of the unexpected (Yes, major league baseball does allow people to bring in backpacks under a certain size unlike NFL. What your allowed to bring into the Stadium varies from Stadium to Stadium.  Camden Yards however is one of the most fan friendly stadiums as it allows more items then most ball parks...I may go into depth on this in another post).

Unfortunately, the Orioles got shut out against Yordano Ventura (who was a beast that night...pitching 8 innings and throwing some incredible fast balls around 98 mph).

After the game I met the Orioles representative to take those who got the On-Field Experience on to the field.  It was very interesting going into the basement of the stadium.  So much action was going on after the game.  Media crews and reporters were running around the tunnels into the interview room. Roch Kubatko (Official Orioles MASN Blogger), and Brittany Ghiroli (MLB.com Orioles Writer) whizzed by us on the way to the field.

Ground crew at work after the game.

Then we got on the field and all of the grounds crew members were hard at work re-touching up the field.  We ended up sitting on chairs placed on the dirt track behind home plate to watch the Firework show. All in all an awesome experience to see the "life" of the stadium after the game and get to go on the field.  Maybe the game wasn't much to talk about but the On-Field Experience was defiantly something worth checking out.

Below are some photos I took of the fireworks from on the field.  These are a few of the photos that came out ok (it was very difficult to take them with no tripod and and a shutter opening from 1/3 to 3 seconds...tripods and monopods are not allowed in the Stadium).

April 20, 2014, Nationals Park (DC). Shake Shack.

So on Sunday April 20, 2014, I wanted to try out Shake Shack in Nationals Park (http://www.shakeshack.com/location/nationals-park/).  I was hoping to get to the game early enough to make gate opening and take advantage of this year's Signature Sundays at all home Nationals games. Unfortunately, the Metro didn't feel like helping me out but I did get to go to Shake Shack. 

For those who don't know, every home Sunday game with the Nationals they have two players signing autographs about an hour and a half before game time.  The catch is you have to get to the stadium early enough to pick up a voucher at section 109 or 142.  Basically, if your at the gate when they open you might get a voucher (center field gate opens 2 1/2 hours before game time....with a 1:35 game time it opens around 11 AM).  I got to the stadium around 11:15 AM and all the vouchers were gone.  Good old metro taking longer than normal on the Green Line. 

Line for Signature Sunday...the lucky ones with vouchers

I choose to check out Shake Shack since if your getting to the Stadium in hopes to get in around 11 AM there isn't much outside the Stadium that is open.  Most of the surrounding restaurants open at 11 AM so my only choice was to eat in the Stadium and I figure I should try a burger place I haven't been to before. 

So Shake Shack it was.  Shake Shack is located on the 200 level by the Scoreboard walk.  There are several concession around there and they open up when the gate opens (Some of the concessions don't open up until an hour and a half before game time).  The area is decent and there are several places to sit and eat without being crammed in your normal seats for the game. 

View from Scoreboard Walk

Scoreboard Walk Area and Seating

So at Shake Shack I ordered a single ShackBurger (100% Angus beef cheeseburger topped with lettuce tomato and ShackSauce), fries, and a Bottomless Souvenir Soda.

ShackBurger and Fries

The burger was very good.  I would put it on par with a five-guys type burger.  My only complaint was the bun was a little soggy.  Not a deal killer but it would have been nice to have some firm buns (who doesn't like firm buns).  The fries were excellent as well.  Nothing super special but definitely a good compliment to the burger. 

Of course being in the Stadium food wasn't exactly cheap.  I got the burger for about $6.50, fries for about $5.25, and the deal of the whole meal (believe it or not) was the soda for $9. 

$9 Bottomless Souvenir Soda

Now I know what your thinking....he paid $9 for a Soda?  The short answer...yes.  But the best part about it is you can refill it as much as you like during the game at any concession stand.  If you don't mind occasionally waiting in lines its not a bad deal (some busy/crowded games you may have to wait in long lines to get a refill).  Now I know your thinking just like me....hey I can buy one cup and bring it to any Nationals Game with me and get free soda.  Well...you sir would be wrong.  Why?  They put a color and number sticker on the bottom of the cup just to stop geniuses like you and me.  Some of the concessioners will mean mug you and force you to show them the sticker (I was half tempted to flip a full drink upside down with no lid just to show them the sticker....but they probably wouldn't find the humor in that).

I know your thinking...."I can't drink $9 of soda"....and your probably right. But you can try.  I managed to get a drink, and 3 refills.  When I was tired of soda I turned the cup over to my friend who joined me in the game around the 5th inning.  So basically we got 5 sodas for $9....not a bad deal in a Stadium.  So buying one would be great for families with kids going to the ballpark....and each kid can take a turn refilling the drink with soda of their choice. 

So after I ate my food I went to my seats to enjoy the game.  The Nationals played the St. Louis Cardinals that day, and Stephen Strasburg was pitching for the Nationals.  The entire game was a great pitching dual. Strasburg gave up a run in the 2nd and 5th inning.  The Nationals came back in the bottom of the 7th to tie the game 2-2.  The bottom of the 9th the game was still 2-2.  Then, Ian Desmond started the bottom of the 9th by striking out.  Espinosa came up and got on base with a single. Lobaton came up to bat next...got a hit and drove Espinosa to third. With only one out, men on the corners, they brought in pinch hitter Nate Mclouth (former Oriole).  Mclouth ended up walking thereby loading up the bases for Denard Span, the top of the lineup.  

Denard Span came in hit a fly ball to right filed and the Nationals scored.  

Great game and exciting to the last minute.  Nationals won 3-2.

View from Section 222

Scoreboard view for Section 222

April 13, 2014, Camden Yards (Baltimore). Frank and Nic's West End Grille

On Sunday April 13, 2014, I decided to check out a restaurant I've never been to before prior to the Orioles game.  The day was bright and sunny and in the mid 60's so it was perfect to be outside after the freezing winter (unfortunately some of my pictures don't show that since they were over exposed...probably due to one to many Camden Crushes...).  The restaurant was Frank and Nic's West End Grille just next to Camden Yards near the infamous Pickles Pub and Sliders. 

Frank and Nic's West end Grille

Frank and Nic's West End Grille (http://frankandnics.com) had an outdoor patio area which was perfect for the day.  Me and my friend arrived at the restaurant around 2 hours before game time (game time was 1:35) and there was no wait to receive a patio table.  I've wanted to check out this restaurant for a while since I saw they had some awesome happy hour specials during the weekdays and really wanted to try some of their adult beverages. 

The first adult beverage I ordered was the Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  The drink is described as a blend of Fireball cinnamon whiskey and RumChata served in a chilled martini glass.  I'm sure most people are familiar with Fireball, but not RumChata.  RunChata is a cream rum based liquor similar to something along the lines of Kahlua but no "coffee" taste.  The best description of RumChata I can give is it tastes like Cinnabon Icing.  

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

So the drink definitely looked a little different then the picture on Frank and Nic's website.  Our server wasn't very good or much to talk about so he may have even given us the wrong drink (I think it was the server's first day on the job so I'll cut him some slack and won't hold it against the restaurant...it did take us about 20 mins to get a drink after I flagged down another server to "help" our server).  The drink was good but all I tasted was chocolate, no RumChata (so I don't think we got the right drink).  I think I'll have to go back to try the drink during happy hour with a more competent server.

I also wanted to try out Frank and Nic's version of the infamous Orange Crush (they call it the Camden Crush).  For non-locals the Orange Crush is a bit of a local drink in Baltimore that was imported from Ocean City, Maryland.  Basically, its fresh squeezed orange juice, triple sec, vodka, ice, and sometimes with a splash of soda water (they're also other versions with different fruits one of the other most popular versions besides Orange is Grapefruit).  I like to sell myself as a connoisseur of the Orange Crush.  I have traveled many Baltimore pubs and Ocean City establishments for the quest of the best Orange Crush.  

Camden Crush

The Orange Crush was excellent.  I'd have to rate this as probably the 2nd or 3rd best Orange Crush I've had.  Arguably the 2nd best Orange Crush in Baltimore, only behind my favorite Orange Crush establishment in Baltimore Ryleigh's Oyster in Federal Hill. 

After a few drinks we decided to order food.  As it got closer to game time the place started to fill up and patio seating was full.  I'd say about an hour before game time there were no tables available on the patio (they did have plenty of room inside at the restaurant or bar area), of course Frank and Nic's patio was nothing like the mad house over at Pickles Pub which was shoulder to shoulder people.  

My food choices I had to go with the Crab Dip Appetizer, and I'm glad I did.  I also got the Shredded Beef Short Rib Sandwich.

Crab Dip and Shredded Beef Short Rib Sandwich

The sandwich was awesome.  It was a great BBQ sandwich with plenty of meat.  The crab dip was also excellent.  I'm glad I got potato chips with my sandwich since they gave us more crab dip then the one loaf of bread could handle (which I'm perfectly ok with).

Overall the food and drinks were excellent.  I'd defiantly return to the restaurant for other pre-game activities.  Their week day happy hour also is a great deal if your catching a game Monday - Friday (i.e., their Happy Hour is from Monday - Friday 5pm-7pm).

The food prices are probably about the same as you'd pay in the Stadium, but I say you get better quality food and more of it.  The sandwich was about $13, the Camden Crush was $8, Cinnamon Toast Crunch was about $8, and Crab Dip was about $11.

Their Happy Hour though has plenty of specials depending on the day and will drop the price of many items almost in half. 

We then left the restaurant about 30 minutes before game time to go into Camden Yards to watch the Orioles take on the Toronto Blue Jays.  It was a beautiful day and I was really hoping the Orioles would pull off a win.  Unfortunately, the Orioles lost 11-3.  I did get to see Chris Davis' 1st home run of 2014 and also got to see Adam Jones reach his 1,000th hit.  

Even thought the Orioles lost, at least it was nice outside and I was full from Frank and Nic's.

Camden Yards view from my seat in Section 67, April 13, 2014

April 11, 2014 - Introduction

I figure I should start this blog by letting everyone know a little about myself.  I am a life long Orioles fan.  I have followed the Orioles since my youngest memories.  I was a fan during the Orioles streak of under .500 ball (i.e., the 14 year streak from 1998 through 2011).  Thankfully, over the past 2 seasons the Orioles have been over .500 and were in playoff contention in 2012 and 2013.  I'm also generally a fan of baseball.  I've started to follow the Nationals since they are the next closest team and are in the National League.  Over the last year or so I've enjoyed several games at Nationals Park.

My goal of this blog is to let fellow fans of baseball, the Orioles, and the Nationals see some fun places to visit around and in the ball park during their trip to the stadium.  I consider myself a local to Baltimore (I was born there and live only 15 minutes away) and get to visit DC on a regular basis (I work right out side the Nation's capitol).  As such, I want to share a local perspective of bars, restaurants and other local attractions to people who may not be locals or are unfamiliar with the area.  I realize I am fortunate to live so close to two baseball stadiums and get to visit multiple games each year (which others may not have the luxury of doing). 

So, I plan to start off the blog for the 2014 baseball season.  The first game I will begin the blog journey on is the Orioles home game on Sunday April 13, 2014 against the Toronto Blue Jays.  I've already attended both the Orioles and Nationals opening day, as well as one other game at each stadium.  I'm hoping to get great usage out of my Orioles partial season plan (13 game plan) and Nationals mini-plan (also 13 games).

I hope you look forward to the journey in and outside the park.