Dodger Stadium: Perspectives of an Outsider
by Brendan Scolari on May 28, 2009 11:30 PM PDT
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PrintDespite being a Dodger fan and having been to Los Angeles quite a few times in my life, I had never actually been to Dodger Stadium. That is until a few days ago. Over Memorial Day weekend I finally had the pleasure of making my first trip to Dodger Stadium. The 350 mile trek down from the Bay Area was a small price to pay to finally see my beloved team at their home park. I ended up going to my sister to all three games against the Angels and despite the fact that the Dodgers only won one game, it was quite the experience. I'm not ashamed to say that I screamed like a little girl when I finally laid eyes on the beautiful stadium. And I was fortunate enough to attend three thrilling games, one of which went extra innings and ended on a Juan Pierre walk-off walk. I'm not one to take pictures, but I can share some thoughts from my experience:
- Getting into the stadium was very easy, I never had any problem with that. Only once did I have trouble getting out. The Saturday night game took probably a half hour to get out of the parking lot.
- The stadium itself was beautiful. The field looked great and it was never hard to get a good view of the game. Somehow the outfield looked smaller live than it did on TV though, which is weird because it is usually the other way around.
- The amount of Dodger gear was incredible. This might seem like a small thing for an LA native but I'm used to going into a sports store and seeing 1-2 types of Dodger hats and shirts, not 30-40.
- At the same time, the number of Dodger fans was somewhat amazing. This is a given at a Dodger game, but it was a fun experience rooting along with throngs of other Dodger fans. I thought there would be more Angels fans given that the play in LA as well, but I would guess Angels fans made up at most 20% of the total attendance.
- One of the few complaints that I have was that you were not allowed to go down to lower levels without a ticket. I've never been to a stadium with a rule like that before and it was quite annoying when we got there for batting practice on Friday and weren't allowed to go down to the first deck.
- The other thing related to this is that even if you had tickets for the first deck the ushers wouldn't let you into the first couple rows of stands without tickets for them. This was fairly ridiculous as there was no one in those seats at the time and it made it much harder to get autographs and catch foul balls. I understand that they don't want people seat jumping but I think this is taking it too far.
- The level of intensity was much higher than I thought it would be. Dodger fans have a stereotype as being laid-back and uncaring, but I thought the fans were more passionate than anywhere else i had been. This was probably helped by the fact that all of the games were close.
- Dodger Dogs are the best, period.
- The old "Get there in the third and leave in the seventh" maxim seemed mostly true. I wasn't sure how much of that was a myth, but the crowd definitely began to disperse early. Also, on Sunday the couple next to us didn't arrive until the fifth inning! Pathetic effort...
- My only other complaint was that the ushers didn't allow you to stand up at the edge of the stands and watch ppitchers warm up in the bullpen. I guess this was for the safety of the players, but it was already hard enough to see what was going on in there, it would have at least been nice to allow people to stand and watch.
- The video screen was much better than at most other MLB stadiums. At both the Giants' and A's parks you can expect maybe a replay an inning at most but at Dodger Stadium ther was a replay for nearly every play. The little factoids provided were a nice addition as well, though I imagine they would get old if you were a season ticket holder.
- What is with the eyes of the players appearing on the small video boards when they come to the plate? That was just weird.
- I finally got to see the Dodgers in person in their home-whites. And they look so, so much better in those than in the road jerseys.
- I thought the pictures of past Dodger players was a memorable touch, and I liked how they were lined next to the current players. Another cool thing was finally seeing the "THINK BLUE" sign that is often shown on TV, though it was farther away from the stadium than I expected.
- My favorite moment of the trip was getting to walk on the field to watch the fireworks. While the fireworks were neat, walking on an MLB diamond has been a dream of mine and just standing out in the outfield for awhile was sublime.
All in all, going to Dodger Stadium was extremely fun and the few faults I found with the park were more than made up for by the enjoyable atmosphere and thrilling games. Dodger Stadium is not the most cutting-edge stadium you'll find, but it is classically fascinating and being around 55,000 fellow Dodger fans watching your favorite team makes for quite a memorable experience. How about you? What was your first trip to Dodger Stadium like?
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BP
I believe for batting practice, though I have never done this, they open up the center field wall and you are allowed to stand behind a small portable white fence that appears to be only waste high and watch batting practice from there. Atleast a dozen or so HRs are hit there and you are pretty close to the players who are shagging balls in the OF. I believe anyone in the stadium is allowed there, not just people with tickets in that general area.
Thanks for the write up. Always nice to hear the perspective of someone visiting for the first time.
vr, Xei
Yeah you can do that
I’m just used to being able to go right down the foul lines and watching the players and trying to get foul balls. It’s not really a very good view from centerfield and it was absolutely jam packed when I was there.
by Brendan Scolari on May 29, 2009 2:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Simers was on the war path about this last year
How they didn’t let fans walk up to the foul lines- particularly for the sake of getting autographs. I believe the Dodgers wanted to make “Autograph Alley” work last year, and as such they didn’t want fans standing on the foul lines. Simers did his thing, and I thought the Dodgers caved. Perhaps this year they are sticking to the policy.
by Michael White on May 29, 2009 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions
As someone who likes to get up close and watch BP
This was the worst part. I really don’t understand the rule at all.
by Brendan Scolari on May 29, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions
One of the Simers articles on the situation last year:
by Michael White on May 29, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Damn, you just got your comment in there before mine!
2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on May 29, 2009 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Hey now!
I thought there would be more Angels fans given that they play in LA
Easy there, chief! I think there’s about 10 million Los Angelenos who would like to clarify for you that the Angles do NOT play in LA! ;-)
Seriously, thank you for sharing your experiences with us Brendan.
2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on May 29, 2009 7:28 AM PDT reply actions
Sounds like Moreno’s policy is working. Other then Angeleno’s the rest of the country thinks the Angels play in LA.
Brendan, glad you saw a great series. The fan experience has been much better this year, maybe in part to the parking lot patrols trying to keep pre-game drinking to a minimum. The Grand Old Lady still looks great when you look down upon her.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I’m in favor of referring to Dodger Stadium as “The Grand Old Lady” going forward. :)
by Eric Stephen on May 29, 2009 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Seeing how I live in Arizona, I make it a priority every year to fly to California and visit family, but more importantly, attend a weekend Dodger home series.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers will be out of town when I go in July. But I told my sister that we will definitely go to a few postseason games.
I love nothing more than buying a bag of peanuts and cracking them open while watching the game. There is something absolutely relaxing about doing this, even with all the noise and possible distractions. I can easily say that Dodger Stadium is one of my most favorite places and will be saddened if an earthquake destroys it (though if it survived being hit by an evil Transformer . . .).
But I told my sister that we will definitely go to a few postseason games.
That’s the spirit, Doctor!!! October or bust!
2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on May 29, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions
buy the bag of peanuts at the market or Smart & Final(I would say Costco but then you could share with the whole section) they do not mind you bringing it in.
I typically buy the peanuts at a supermarket.
You’re right; it’s a better buy.
Dodger Fan in Orange County
I can tell you why there weren’t more Angel fans at Dodger Stadium…the don’t want to battle the traffic, especially on Friday nights.
My first trip was when I was 8. I went with my grandfather in his first-base line season ticket seats. I yelled and screamed like the kid I was. My grandmother later told me that she could hear me yelling over the radio. I still remember the feeling of awe when I saw the field for the first time in person. It was (and still is) beautiful. TV doesn’t do it justice.
I’ve sat on every level (pre-remodel) and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. That, I think, is the best thing about Dodger Stadium, no matter where you sit, you can see the whole field.
Next time you are at Dodger Stadium, you need to have a grilled Dodger Dog.
I’ve noticed that ever since the Dodgers remodeled the Field Level seats, they have become more strict as to who can go to certain levels. In the summer of 1988, my cousin and I went to about 20 home games, my uncle would drop us off at the gate and then come into the Stadium in the 7th inning, when the Dodgers opened the gates to allow people to leave. He would get to watch the last two or three innings with us, no matter where we were sitting. Now I doubt he could get in, even after the game is over.
It’s a sign of the times.
So long, Chavez Ravine
Interesting timing as I had just attended my last game ever at Dodger Stadium. As a Mets fan who has lived in various places around the country, I have rooted against the home team at a variety of venues. Let me make it clear—I am a middle-aged man, quiet, well-mannered, known for my mellowness and, as a lifetime student of the game, I respect the institution of Baseball. Never have I been on the receiving end of so much abuse as I have as a fan of the visiting team as when I attend a game at Dodger Stadium. I don’t mind good-natured fan banter—it’s part of the game, but I should not be expected to tolerate being screamed at: “METS SUCK” and “GO BACK TO NEW YORK!” (I’ve lived here 35 years) and “NEW YORK SUCKS” and “F*** NEW YORK!” ( I’m sure that all went a long way to winning my young son over to the Dodger Blue.) And I think what the poster is calling “passionate” would be better defined as “loudly hostile.” And how do 35 beach balls (conservative estimate) get smuggled into a game by fans who have any interest in what’s happening on the field? And forget about the Wave—aerobics for the dimwit. Parking—at $15 you may say that is competitive, but what about the enormous squad of morons hired to point you into the only open lot. Clearly, McCourt made a deal with the city to over-hire the locals in return for doing whatever else he wants to do. After the game, when these folks could be helpful, they’re nowhere to be seen.
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.
I can say i get the same phrases yelled at me when i go to Giants-Dodgers games, so it is absolutely not unique to Dodger Stadium.
The beach balls and the wave may be because of a lack of interest in the game by some fans, I guess they just didn’t bother me at all.
As for the parking, I’m not sure what the problem was. I didn’t have any problems getting into the park.
by Brendan Scolari on May 29, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
You're right, you shouldn't have been subjected to having people curse at you
I don’t find what happened to you funny or tolerable. I’m sorry you had a bad time.
I don’t like the beachballs either. It’s always driven me crazy.
After that though, you are going overboard. Not sure why you feel the need to call people dimwits or morons, when you just said you didn’t appreciate getting yelled at by strangers.
by Michael White on May 29, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I’ve stopped caring about the beach balls, kids love em, and if they get in the way for 10 seconds, you are talking about a 3 hour game. Grin and bear it, ball poppers are the Mr Wilsons of the world. It is like turning on the sprinklers because some kids happened to have ventured onto your grassy area and are enjoying your lawn. I’ve stopped caring about the wave, it hardly ever gets in the way of the action and obviously enough fans enjoy it that the majority do the wave while the minority sit on their hands. It takes them forever to get it going and then it only goes on for a few moments.
Cursing at fans blows at all levels. The Suck chant blows. Throwing back home run balls from the visiting team is Wrigly’s and not ours. I dislike circumventing someone else’s pastime. Create your own, no need to mimic. I put up with all these things because the game itself is still the centerpiece of my attention.
The parking people are there to help make sure the pedestrians don’t get run over. It used to be walk at your own risk, now it is more controlled. Parking in the lots is also now more controlled so they can direct you where they want you. Maybe they appear to be mindless drones but at least they are working. Just because they are doing a job that doesn’t require intellect doesn’t mean they are morons, it just means that is the job they are currently doing in life doesn’t require much thought. For each parking area there are supervisors directly connected to Dodger Stadium where they have a full staff overseeing how the parking and traffic is doing. Moving 20,000 cars every night doesn’t happen without planning but it does still have problems. Some is preventable, some isn’t. Even when you know the variables involved sometimes the cost to solve the problem is just not worth the payback.
If you don’t ever come back to Dodger Stadium, the problem is with you and your expectations, it is a baseball game, not a Bocelli concert even if the cost sometimes approaches a Bocelli concert.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 29, 2009 3:36 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Sorry for the delay ...
It’s really, really funny to anyone who has gone to a Dodger game since the 1990’s for someone to say “It took thirty minutes to leave!” I remember it taking over an hour before McCourt opened up the exits.
Lots of stadiums don’t let you go down to the lower levels as the game progresses. Since I can remember this has been Dodger Stadium’s policy and when the Padres played at the Murph, they wouldn’t let you move within the same level as the game went on.
The players eyes thing is SO creepy. On a side note, on the outfield wall videos Takashi Saito had the craziest entrance video. It was him, in the clubhouse, wearing a Rising Sun headband doing some swordwork. Fucking cool, man!
Your observations were fun. I can’t let it go, your “it took a whole THIRTY MINUTES to leave!” comment is priceless. I remember, more than once in the 90’s, stuck for an hour in that dumb parking lot thinking, “I’d pay real money to be able to just spend 30 stupid minutes waiting to leave.”
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