I went to my first baseball game this week, our friend Hector had some extra tickets and was kind enough to take us along to see the LA Dodgers.  I’m used to seeing the LA baseball caps everywhere, it was the cap du jour in Potters Bar but these wearers were probably the first who were aware of its significance.

Once we got to the stadium my first feeling was how similar the setup is to cricket.  I’ve not been to lots of cricket grounds but at least Lord’s and The Gabba in Brisbane were similar in that its open through to the back of the stadium.  Football grounds in England (and the Ducks’ Honda Center for that matter) are completely walled off separating the seating and the drinks/food stands.  The cricket and now baseball stadiums are open behind the seating so you can still see the game going on while you walk around getting some food.  It’s the only sport I’ve seen that in and being that it originated from cricket I wonder if that was an intentional addition to the stadium design.

Anyway, the game was enjoyable but the Dodgers lost 9-3. Next time I might try my local team, the Anaheim Angels. Its certainly not a fast paced game, but then it doesn’t pretend to be like some of the other sports (American Football and Baseketball, yes, I’m talking about you with all your timeouts). In the same way as the cricket you spend most of the time chatting with the people you came along with between pitches, its a fun way to pass a few hours.