Heading to the Ball Game

Baseball: A British Guide

If your headed to the states try to tick this off your bucket list and enjoy a baseball game like an American. You will revel in the atmosphere with an electric crowd in an outdoor environment. Follow this short guide to help really make the most of it:

1. Get a cheap ticket in what Americans affectionately call the ‘Nose Bleed’ section - you can see the game fine and you will save money!
2. Dress comfy - no heels or big bags 
3. There is no time limit to a baseball game. It will end after 9 innings, if it starts to drag have a wander around the stalls and grab a bite to eat or check out the merchandise
4. Try getting on the big screen - be extravagant and foolish to catch their attention
5. Buy a bag of roasted peanuts - don't worry about making a mess you are allowed to throw the waste shells on the floor!
6. Eat a hot dog
7. Start or join in a wave
8. Take the chance to talk to some baseball fans. If you're curious and don't mind striking up conversations with strangers, you can learn a lot by talking to fans attending the game.
9. Get in the spirit and purchase some baseball gear
10. Join in with the traditional sing along for the “Seventh Inning Stretch.”:

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd;

Just buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,

I don't care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win, it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game.

 

My baseball Tales

LA Dodgers 

My first game at one of baseball's oldest classic ball parks during my tour of California - it was great to spend time at one of their most treasured land marks!

Baltimore Orioles

This was a day trip I took one weekend whilst working at a girl scouts camp in Maryland - I went with my fellow camp counsellors and we managed to get on the big screen!

Chicago Cubs 

On the tube back to our hotel in Chicago after watching the game, we were sat next to the guy who caught the foul ball, I asked for a picture but he thought I meant with him!

Tampa Bay Rays

We went to a game during our family holiday to Florida and ended up sat between the opposing supporters where the chanting competition got intense (just friendly banter)

I also bumped into the Rays cheerleaders which was fun as I love Cheerleading.