To Camden Yards
After resting in the hostel in DC, I would take the 1-hour train ride to Baltimore, to attend a baseball game at Oriole Park in Camden Yards.
This is the first time that I've actually done something in the city of Baltimore. I've only stopped by this city, whenever the Greyhound bus makes a layover, to/from DC. It never really crossed my mind to visit, until I decided to visit every baseball stadium in Major League Baseball. Plus I have heard nothing but rave reviews about Camden Yards, the most praised ballpark. This is the one that started the trend of retro ballparks, thus putting an end to the multi-purpose cookie-cutter stadiums. Its success inspired other teams to build their new places in the same style as well.
I arrived in Baltimore, and walked around the entrance near the trains.
I left the museum, and stopped by one of the street vendors to get something to eat. I have not eaten since breakfast, so I bought 3 hot dogs for $5, which was not a bad deal, and much better than what I would get inside the ballpark. And I was allowed to bring food in.
Game time was approaching, so I entered the ballpark, and strolled down the street between the park and warehouse for a little bit, until the starting lineups was announced.
As for the game itself, it was the opener of the Beltway Series between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. The O's won the game 5-3, with 1 home run hit in the game. Seeing a lot of empty seats, just shows that the Beltway Series is not much of a rivalry that MLB wants it to be.
After the game, there would be fireworks. But since the last bus back to DC, would leave 20 minutes after the last out, I would miss it. I got on the bus, only for it to leave after the fireworks ended. Long story short, I did not take kindly to that, and neither did another person, who complained to the bus driver about it. The bus driver just did not care.
I rode back to DC.
When Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in 1992, it started a new wave of retro-style ballparks in Major League Baseball. Other teams started to build ballparks of the same style, as one by one, the cookie cutter stadiums (often shared by baseball and football teams) were falling by the wayside. While they are great to watch a ballgame, they will never compare to the real thing, like Fenway Park in Boston.
Nonetheless, Camden Yards is a great place to watch a ball game and the prices are not too bad, for great views. Also, not too hard to get a ticket, but that's because the team isn't very good. The downside is being in the concourse, you are not able to see the game.
Outside, there is the Babe Ruth Museum and the Sports Legends Museum. If you plan to do this before the game, come at least 3 hours before the game. There is a lot to see in the Sports Legends Museum, not only covering the Orioles, but other Maryland sports as well.
