July 27, 2014, Harry Grove Stadium (Frederick, MD). Frederick Keys (Orioles A affiliate) vs. Lynchburg Hillcats (Braves A affiliate).

On Saturday, July 27, 2014, I attended the Frederick Keys vs the Lynchburg Hillcats in Frederick Maryland (Harry Grove Stadium).  The day was also a give-a-way for a Nick Markakis Bobblehead.

Line before Gate Opening

I pulled into the Stadium lot about an hour before gate opening (4PM) for the 6:05 PM game (Gates open and hour before game).  I was happy to see free parking, and also saw a bit of a line that had already formed.  The give-a-way was for the first 1,000 fans.

Nick Markakis Bobblehead

The gates opened on time at about 5PM and I successfully got my give-a-way.  After entering the Stadium I went to the Group Information Table on the first base side in order to get my Birdland Passport stamped for the Frederick Keys (I only need 1 more stamp!!!).

Birdland Passport and Frederick Keys Stamp

After I got my passport stamped I went to the team store to pick up a baseball and Keys hat.  I picked up an alternative Keys Hat which I believe was for their 4th of July celebration. 

Keys Baseball

Frederick Keys Hat

Once I got my passport stamped and purchased my Frederick Keys gear I wondered to get a soda (it was pretty hot to start out...luckily it cooled down around 7PM).  I bought an Keys Souvenir soda for $5 which allows for $3 refills. 

Souvenir Cup

I didn't start out getting food since it was a little early, but a few innings into the game I did get some food.  I settled for the Buffalo Chicken Tenders with fries.  My Dad got one of their special items for the game which I'll have to try the next time I'm there.  He got the Key Dog, which was a hot dog with crab, mac n cheese, and bacon.  It looked awesome (he said it was pretty good as well). 

Key Dog

I ended up sitting about 5 rows back from the visitor's dugout.  The views of the game from there were excellent. 

Key's Mascot Keyote

View From Seats

View From Seats

Before the game we got to see both teams take the field to begin warming up (a great time to get some autographs).

Lynchburg Hillcats

Frederick Keys

National Anthem

The Frederick Keys starting pitcher was Sebastian Vader.  Vader pitched an ok first inning, but gave up 4 runs in the top of the second inning.  They were hitting his pitches like crazy.  Vader gave up one more run in the top of the third and a new pitcher for the Keys was put in for the top of the fourth. 

Sebastian Vader for the Frederick Keys

Tucker Nathans for the Frederick Keys at Bat

Glynn Davis for the Frederick Keys at Bat

Dennis Torres pitched 4 solid innings for the keys giving up only 2 hits and no runs.  Lex Ruthledge was brought in for the Keys in the top of the Eighth inning and gave up one run in the top of the 9th.

Panorama for Harry Grove Stadium

The Keys ended up losing the game 6-3 to the Hillcats.

Scoreboard at middle of the 9th

July 24, 2014, Prince George's Stadium (Bowie, MD). Bowie Baysox (Orioles AA affiliate) vs. Altoona Curve (Pirates AA affiliate).

On Thursday July 24, 2014, I attended the Bowie Baysox (Orioles AA Affiliate) take on the Altoona Curve (Pirate's AA Affiliate) in Bowie Maryland at Prince George's Stadium.  The day was also a Manny Machado Clause Bobblehead Give-A-Way and the Baysox Christmas in July celebration. 

Outside of Stadium (Prince George's Stadium)

I arrived at the Stadium about an hour before gate opening (gate opening is 1 hr before game time, tonight's game was at 6:05 PM...I arrived around 4:00 PM).  To my surprise there was a decent line even when I got to the Stadium.  Around 4:30 PM the line started to get long (the give-a-way was for the first 1,000 fans). 

Line at about 4:30 PM

The gates opened at 5:00 PM and I got my give-a-way.  After getting my Bobblehead I headed off to the team store to get my normal Baseball and Baseball Cap. 

Manny Clause Give-A-Way

Bowie Baysox Baseball

Bowie Baysox Hat

After picking up my merchandise at the team store I headed to Fan Assistance in order to get my Birdland Passport Stamp (I'm getting close to getting my free stuff...I only need 2 more stamps).

Birdland Passport, Bowie Baysox Stamp

After getting my give-a-way, merchandise, and passport stamped,  I ended up getting food.  I didn't see anything unique at the stadium, just the traditional ball park fare.  The prices were about the same as a Major League Stadium (I paid about $15 for a soda, chicken tenders, and fries). 

Souvenir Baysox Cup

Chicken Tenders

Once I ate my food I headed down to my seat.  My seat was directly behind the home team dugout in the first row (ticket price was about $15).  I had an excellent view of the game and the 1/2 inning festivities.

View from Seats

I even got to see Santa Clause, and the Bowie Baysox Mascot, Louie. 

Santa Clause and Louie

The game started off well for the Baysox.  The Baysox pitcher Zach Davies started off well pitching 2 shutout innings.  The Baysox rallied in the bottom of the 2nd inning scoring 6 runs.  Davies shutout the Curve until the 7th inning where he gave up the only run to the Curve for the night.  The Baysox won 9-1. 

Baysox Pitching

The Curve At Bat

I really enjoyed the game at the Baysox Stadium.  I got to see a couple players who may have some potential to follow based on relatives who have played or are playing in the Majors.  Sharlon Schoop was playing First Base for the Bowie Baysox who happens to be Jonathan Schoop's (the Orioles current Second Baseman) brother.  The Bowie Baysox Center Fielder, Mike Yastrzemski, is the grandson of the great Carl Yastrzemski.  I also got to see a few former Major leaguers in the dugout, including one recognizable former Oriole, BJ Surhoff (a roving Orioles Coach). 

Sharlon Schoop running to 1st

Mike Yastrzemski on 1st

Panorama of the Field

July 20, 2014, Nationals Park (DC). Nationals vs Brewers, Bobblehead Give-A-Way.

So I planned to watch the Nationals vs the Brewers on July 20, 2014.  I should have known today wasn't going to be a good day for me to watch baseball (I was a little under the weather).  I woke up early to get to Greenbelt Metro to take the Metro to the Stadium.  To my surprise, Greenbelt Metro was closed due to construction and I had to take a bus from Greenbelt Metro to College Park Metro.  This delayed me to get to the gate on a Give-A-Way day for a Denard Span bobblehead.  I ended up getting to the gate around 10:30 AM (30 mins before opening) and there were tons of people in line already.

I was hoping to get a signature voucher but unfortunately they were gone by the time I entered the gate after opening (thanks Metro). 

It was muggy so I ended up getting my bobblehead and leaving (I didn't feel like waiting 2.5 hour for game time and then sitting out another 2.5 hours for the game given the weather, and I wasn't feeling great....not to mention the fun on the Metro).

So I got my bobblehead. 

The Nationals ended up winning 5-4 against the Brewers in the Bottom of the 9th (a good old walk-off).

July 13, 2014, Camden Yards (Baltimore). Orioles vs Yankees, and Abbey Burger Bistro

On Sunday July 13, 2014, I attended the Orioles vs Yankees game in Camden Yards.  Today's game was a prime time 8:05 game so I had plenty of time to pre-game in Federal Hill.  I decided to go to one of my favorite burger places in Federal Hill (which apparently is loved even by the Oriole's Adam Jones, and Brian Matusz).

Abbey Burger Bistro (http://www.abbeyburgerbistro.com) is located in Federal Hill by the Cross Street Market.  They have excellent burgers and I've been here several times.  I was stoked it was an 8PM game since normally I can't go here on Sundays since they don't open till noon on Sundays (an hour before most Orioles Sunday games).

Abbey Venison Burger and Tater Tots

When I got to Abbey Burger it was packed since the World Cup Final was playing (the bar is a big soccer bar).  Luckily it was coming towards the end of the World Cup and I got to see Germany win the 2014 World Cup.  After the game, the bar cleared out and I sat at the bar to eat.

Abbey Burger has some interesting choices for their burgers.  I've had Llama, Kangaroo, Boar, Kobe Beef there previously to today's visit as my "burger meat".  Today they had Venison which I had to try.  I also ordered the Alligator Bites (which were awesome...sorry I forgot to take a picture), and my friend got the Crab Tater Tots (which you have to try but is enough for 2 people).

Abbey Burger Beer

I enjoy Abbey Burger since you can select one of their pre-made burgers or build your own.  One of my favorite pre-mades is the Adam Jones Burger (Simply AJ10), its a Kobe beef burger on an english muffin, with pepper jack cheese, avocado, jalapeños, bacon, chili pepper mayo, lettuce, and tomato served with a side of tater tots and nacho cheese.

I though tend to make my own burger.  So I ordered the meat of the month (Venison) on an English Muffin, with pepper jack cheese, grilled pineapple, onion ring, chipotle ketchup, salsa with a side of tater tots.  The burger was excellent just like every burger I've had at this place.  The beer is great too (I forget which one I got...I wanted to Alegash White but it was all out on tap so I got whatever the bar tender suggested).

After filling up at Abbey Burger I headed out to Camden Yards.

Pre-Game at Camden Yards

There was no give-a-way today but being a seasoned pro of the stadium I scouted for my freebies given out by vendors in the stadium.  My first visit was to the MASN tent right on Eutaw Street.  They were giving away T-Shirts if you followed them on Twitter.

MASN Free T-Shirt Front

MASN Free T-Shirt Back

I then proceeded to the Chevy table on the lower level behind base.  They are almost always here giving away free stuff such as a draw string bag.  Today they were giving away a T-shirt as well (you just have to sign up your name, address, etc on an iPad).

Chevy Free T-Shirt Front

So I ended up scoring 2 free T-Shirts before the game.

The starting pitcher for the Orioles was Kevin Gausman which I was excited to see.  The game started ok but Gausman gave up a home run to Brett Gardner in the first inning.  The game was pretty quiet until the bottom of the 4th inning when Chris Davis hit a 2 run homer, and the Orioles scored another run in the bottom of the 4th brining the score to Orioles 3, Yankees 1.

The Orioles got threw the top of the 5th and then the rain came.

Rain Delay Middle of the 5th

Initially, it was expected the game would re-start in about an hour.  However, after 3 hours of pouring rain the game was called and the Orioles took the win (I would have liked to see more of the game, but I'll take a win due to rules...after all it was the 2nd home Sunday win of the year).

Rain Delay

July 9, 2014, Camden Yards (Baltimore). Orioles vs Nationals, Oriole T-Shirt Give-A-Way

On July 9, 2014 I attended the Orioles game versus the Nationals in Camden Yards.  The night was also a T-Shirt Give-A-Way (a Nick Markakis T-Shirt) for all fans.

Back of T-Shirt Give-A-Way

Front of T-Shirt Give-A-Way

Before attending the game I went out to Federal Hill to one of my favorite wing spots, Delia Foley's Pub (http://dfpub.com).  I got their "Wings of Destiny" and "Oriole" Wings.  Both were excellent but I actually liked the Oriole wings better.  I also washed it down with a Black and Velvet (Guinness and Cider).  If you like wings you have to check this place out...they have about 25+ different variety of wings.

Black and Velvet (Guinness and Cider)

The pitching match up for the game was Bud Norris for the Orioles and Doug Fister for the Nationals.  This was Bud Norris first outing after coming off the DL list.  The Nationals started the game off by getting 2 runs in the top of the first inning.  The Orioles answered back with 1 run in the bottom of the 1st.  Bud Norris would go on to give up 3 more runs, 1 run in the top of the 2nd, 1 run in the top of the 4th and 1 run in the top of the 5th.  The Orioles did manage to get another run on the board with Manny Macado's 9th home run of the year in the bottom of the 4th, but would fail to get anymore runs.

The Orioles lost 6-2.

July 7, 2014, Arthur W Perdue Stadium (Salisbury, MD). Delmarva Shorebirds vs West Virginia Power.

On Monday July 7, 2014, I attended the Delmarva Shorebirds game in Salisbury, MD versus West Virginia Power.  The Shorebirds are a Single A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and the Stadium is located about 25-35 mins west of Ocean City, MD (I happened to be on vacation in Ocean City and thought it be a great day to check out the Shorebirds).

View from General Admission Seats

The Shorebirds run their special $2 deal this year on Monday nights.  With the deal you can get $2 general admission tickets, $2 hot dogs, and $2 Pepsi.  So, I decided to go with the general admission deal (which the seats are actually pretty good for general admission).  The general admission seats are the normal bench bleacher chairs, so if you happen to have a padded cushion you probably should bring it if your going general admission.

The stadium wasn't very full (and I didn't expect such on a monday night), but it was pretty easy to get a good seat in general admission.  I even arrived only 30mins before the game (gates open an hour before game time).

Press Box Behind Home Plate

The concessions were also good.  I took advantage of the $2 hot dog and $2 Pepsi deal.  Even the normal prices were much cheaper than the other minor league games or major league games I've been too.  Their souvenir soda ran in at only $3.75 (most major league parks are around $6-9, and the minor leagues have been around the same price).

Souvenir Cup

I also brought my Birdland Passport with me to the stadium and got it stamped at the concession level near fan assistance behind home plate (only have 3 more stadiums to visit!!).  As normal, I stopped at the team store and picked up a Shorebirds hat and baseball. 

Birdland Passport Stamp

Shorebirds Fitted Hat

Shorebirds Baseball

The Shorebirds game started off great and was a pitching dual for most of the game.  Mitch Horacek pitched for the Delmarva Shorebirds against Buddy Borden of the West Virginia Power.  Both pitchers pitched 5 scoreless innings.  In the top of the 6th inning the Shorebirds ended up giving up 5 runs, all 5 being attributed to Horacek.  The Shorebirds unfortunately were unable to come up with any runs during the game though had several close chances of scoring.  The Shorebirds were shutout and lost 5-0.