Baseball in Sandy Eggo

Good day to all of you!

Well, it has been a very long last day of the SoCal baseball roadtrip, but it is a grand and satisfying feeling with which I leave this region. I am leaving the city of San Diego early tomorrow morning to return to Oregon. But first I will review the day I have had here in this city and the experiences I had at Petco Park watching the Padres.

So many people had told me just how awesome this city was. That there would be so much to do and so much to see. To tell you the truth, I was giddy when I left San Bernardino, but it was quickly tempered by a thick marine layer of clouds that had rolled in. I was worried that San Diego, famous for it's warm weather, would be socked in with cloud cover more appropriate for San Francisco. However, I came to find that the hype surrounding this city was true and honest.

San Diego is unlike any city I have been to in California. It is a very walkable city that has an excellent public transportation system. The city is laid out in a design that is highly dense and encourages mixed use development with many small commercial establishments intermingling with high-end residential. This, as a result, creates a lot of pedestrian traffic in the core downtown, increased reliance on public transportation, and a safer city. When I was walking around, I couldn't believe that I was in Southern California. I had gotten used to driving everywhere, inefficient public transportation, and having to avoid dark alleys.

After dropping my stuff off at the hotel, I decided to take a walk towards the waterfront and slowly make my way towards Petco Park. Walking directly west, I hit the Waterfront where the massive USS Midway aircraft carrier was moored. I took a few pictures and proceeded down the waterfront only to see another two massive carriers anchored off-shore. I then remembered that San Diego is a huge military city with multiple military bases in and around the city. But what is more important are the gargantuan size of the ships I saw. They make every other boat in the water look like a bathtub play toy. The military's presence can be a bit intimidating, but I find that it adds to the character of the city rather than detract from it.

Petco Park is located at the south end of Downtown in a large entertainment district known as the Gaslamp Quarter. Obviously the entertainment district of the downtown, the Gaslamp District is filled with small bars and clubs, upscale restaurants, and trendy souvenir shops. After the waterfront, I strolled down here to walk around a little. Even three hours before the game it was bustling with loud music, drinking and reveille, and pedestrian traffic. I stopped in one of the drinking establishments for a margarita and a quesadilla, but mainly to gauge the community and fandom which concerns me. This observation revealed to me that San Diegans are social people and are devoted fans to the Padres. They are quick to root the team, and are also quick to wallow in the defeats that have become numerous in the past years.

After some quiet observation, I walked over to Petco Park. I must say that Petco is a very nice park that certainly ranks high in my book. There are a few quirks that I absolutely love. First, in dead centerfield, there is the "Park in the Park." The Padres used approximately two blocks just outside the centerfield fence to create a sort of park like setting where families can bring blankets and picnic lunches and watch the game. This is not the classic lawn seating found at so many parks, but it is rather a separate section that blends in well with the ballpark as a whole. It is complete with a massive statue of Tony Gwynn, a shrunken baseball diamond for the kids, a gently rolling hill to sit and watch the game, and numerous concession stands. Fans can gain entrance to this part of the park for only five dollars, which makes it very affordable for many people.

Since it is a downtown park, the designers had to squeeze the ballpark in between buildings and streets, creating a weirdly shaped ballpark. But, most obvious, the designers incorporated the old Western Metal Supply warehouse into left field. Containing a restaurant, bar, team store, and suites, the Building sticks out as the main distinguishing feature of the park. The leading edge of the building acts as the left-field foul pole with some of the sections of suites actually hanging over the outfield fence. I'm not sure of the ground rules with regards to this, but it is very interesting to see fans literally on top of the leftfielder.

Thirdly, the view from the upper-deck seats I had was spectacular. The skyline of the city looked right down onto the park. It was a view that, in my book, could rival that of Pittsburgh.

Now to the fans. I have been so lucky this trip to have met some very nice people and fans. The fans here in San Diego were so polite and very eager to talk with me. I, in fact, went out after the game with a few of them for a couple drinks in the Gaslamp Quarter. I know I have railed on how boring it can be sometimes on BRTs when I go by myself, but when I fly solo it forces me to interact and observe more.

The Colorado Rockies, bolstered by a 4-rbi night from Clint Barmes, beat the host Padres 6-3. It is worth noting that the plate umpire for the game tonight was none other than Jim Joyce.

After the game, I walked back to the hotel through the Gaslamp Quarter. For a Tuesday night, the place was hopping. Clubs and bars were spilling out into the streets, restaurants were overfilled, and the amount of people walking around and socializing was simply staggering. It was at this point that I said to myself "Yes, downtown parks DO work." After my trip to San Bernardino last night, it was refreshing to see a success story when it comes to building downtown parks.

I really enjoyed my time here and the visit I had to Petco Park. My last day in the SoCal roadtrip was very pleasurable.

Early tomorrow morning, I will board the train northwards back to Oregon. I will hold off on a "Final Thoughts" entry until after I get back. I have thirty hours to process what has been an exhilarating last week of travel, friends, sights, and baseball.

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)