My experience on Hawaiian Shirt Day

[Carllamy]

I didn't have a ticket, so I wanted to get down to the stadium at Noon, figuring it might take me 40 mins or so to buy a ticket.

I had gone to Buck Showalter Garden Gnome day, and had seen people walking in 1 hour before game time and still getting garden gnomes, so I figured if I got into the park an hour before game time I would get a shirt.

I dithered getting to the light rail, so I didn't get to the box office window until 12:15. There was no line, so I walked right up. The game was sold out. So I waited until one hour before game time, 12:35, and sure enough, tickets became available. I bought a bleacher seat for $25, walked into the main gate, the one with the Babe Ruth statue, and the woman told me that they had run out of shirts at 12:15, so I was too late to get one when I had arrived! Which means thousands of fans 15 and over made it through that gate in 15 mins. When they want to get a bunch of people into that stadium, even with the metal detectors and bag checks, they can do it fast. The woman who sat next to me walked in right in front of me me wandered around the whole park, and found a shirt at one of the small side entrances.

I watched the game from the bleachers, and saw Chris Davis not catch a completely catchable ball in right field, which really is what one can expect when one turns a 1st baseman into a right fielder. I did think it was funny when one of the Ushers said "Markakis wouldda had that."

I left after the bottom of the 8th, heard Davis strike out for the last out while riding past the Patapsco Station, and was getting into my car at the Nursery Road parking lot before the Post Game Show started.

The stadium concourse and amenaties were surprisingly uncrowded for a sellout. People were sitting in their seats to cheer.

[TonySoprano]

The early arrival crowd easily today exceeded the Gnome game and also Friday's floppy hat game. Before the gates opened at 11:30, the line was out of the gate H (Babe Ruth statue) plaza and down the street to the light rail. They were also encouraging people to go from gate H to other open gates, and people were going straight from the ticket windows to the other gates. Keep in mind there are 7 gates (A-H, except no B, explain that one) so figure on a day like today 3,500 shirts per gate in 2 sizes, medium or XL. The two Eutaw street gates seem to draw the most traffic.

Yes, they can move the line quickly if they want to do so, and today they did.

Prior to the game, I only saw only person leave with their shirt (EBAY). Most of the crowd wore their Hawaiian shirts. It was a sea of orange in the stands today.

As a side note, the vendors that patrolled the bleachers today were by and large beer only. The very few that carried anything else had 2-3 bottles of water mixed in with their loaded beer trays. One lemonade guy came by the entire game, but 2 or 3 beer men, easily every inning on a constant rotation. So if you choose not to drink $8.75 Natty Boh, or decide to bring underage kids, and there were thousands of them in the stands, you're stuck. Period. Walk away from your seats and go down Eutaw Street, stand in line for your non adult beverage, and hope you didn't miss anything on the way back to your seat. This has been the case with Delaware North and the previous vendor for years and has been my only beef with the ballpark experience. You claim to make it a family-friendly experience but cater to the adults only at absurdly inflated prices. Speaking of beef, when was the last time they served hotdogs in the stand? Do they even do that anymore?

[weams]

The early arrival crowd easily today exceeded the Gnome game and also Friday's floppy hat game. Before the gates opened at 11:30, the line was out of the gate H (Babe Ruth statue) plaza and down the street to the light rail. They were also encouraging people to go from gate H to other open gates, and people were going straight from the ticket windows to the other gates. Keep in mind there are 7 gates (A-H, except no B, explain that one) so figure on a day like today 3,500 shirts per gate in 2 sizes, medium or XL. The two Eutaw street gates seem to draw the most traffic.

Yes, they can move the line quickly if they want to do so, and today they did.

Prior to the game, I only saw only person leave with their shirt (EBAY). Most of the crowd wore their Hawaiian shirts. It was a sea of orange in the stands today.

As a side note, the vendors that patrolled the bleachers today were by and large beer only. The very few that carried anything else had 2-3 bottles of water mixed in with their loaded beer trays. One lemonade guy came by the entire game, but 2 or 3 beer men, easily every inning on a constant rotation. So if you choose not to drink $8.75 Natty Boh, or decide to bring underage kids, and there were thousands of them in the stands, you're stuck. Period. Walk away from your seats and go down Eutaw Street, stand in line for your non adult beverage, and hope you didn't miss anything on the way back to your seat. This has been the case with Delaware North and the previous vendor for years and has been my only beef with the ballpark experience. You claim to make it a family-friendly experience but cater to the adults only at absurdly inflated prices. Speaking of beef, when was the last time they served hotdogs in the stand? Do they even do that anymore?

They come visit us in 336 with all the goodies.

[Chavez Ravine]

The early arrival crowd easily today exceeded the Gnome game and also Friday's floppy hat game. Before the gates opened at 11:30, the line was out of the gate H (Babe Ruth statue) plaza and down the street to the light rail. They were also encouraging people to go from gate H to other open gates, and people were going straight from the ticket windows to the other gates. Keep in mind there are 7 gates (A-H, except no B, explain that one) so figure on a day like today 3,500 shirts per gate in 2 sizes, medium or XL. The two Eutaw street gates seem to draw the most traffic.

Yes, they can move the line quickly if they want to do so, and today they did.

Prior to the game, I only saw only person leave with their shirt (EBAY). Most of the crowd wore their Hawaiian shirts. It was a sea of orange in the stands today.

As a side note, the vendors that patrolled the bleachers today were by and large beer only. The very few that carried anything else had 2-3 bottles of water mixed in with their loaded beer trays. One lemonade guy came by the entire game, but 2 or 3 beer men, easily every inning on a constant rotation. So if you choose not to drink $8.75 Natty Boh, or decide to bring underage kids, and there were thousands of them in the stands, you're stuck. Period. Walk away from your seats and go down Eutaw Street, stand in line for your non adult beverage, and hope you didn't miss anything on the way back to your seat. This has been the case with Delaware North and the previous vendor for years and has been my only beef with the ballpark experience. You claim to make it a family-friendly experience but cater to the adults only at absurdly inflated prices. Speaking of beef, when was the last time they served hotdogs in the stand? Do they even do that anymore?

Once I had an aisle seat at Dodger stadium, which gave me easy access to the roaming vendors. I proceeded to eat nearly everything on the Dodger Stadium menu. Well, the standard stuff...excluding the sushi, Kalbi tacos and whatnot. I left poorer for the experience (both monetarily and physically).

[TonySoprano]

They come visit us in 336 with all the goodies.

You have all the connections. Beer..and sunburn are the only things plentiful in the bleachers on a day like today. I actually had money in my wallet today, and no vendor to buy from.

[sportsfan8703]

I always go to the gate in between the players entrance and the smokers area. They always have plenty of the give away stuff. With the vendors it depends on the section you're in. Contrary to popular belief the expensive seats (lower horseshoe) get bombarded with beer vendors. More money. I went Friday and sat upper deck first row and saw. 2-3 beer guys tops. I have a 29 game plan and this is pretty much the norm. I guess today they expected an older crowd. I think most were still drunk from the night before.

[Going Underground]

You have all the connections. Beer..and sunburn are the only things plentiful in the bleachers on a day like today. I actually had money in my wallet today, and no vendor to buy from.

Usually see one hot dog guy a game. Comes by the third base side about once or twice a game. I did not see one yesterday. Sometimes also see a lemonade guy once a game and did not see one either. They also did not have a frozen lemonade guy come by either. People were going down to get ice cream. They had many more vendors of all types in the stands when Aaramark owned the concession. Did not get a shirt because the great light rail train kept losing power and missed a shirt by five minutes. No big deal because i was not crazy about it anyhow. The scoreboard also seems not to engage the fans as much. Seems to have more dumb things on it. Seems to be less stats and more of people taking pictures. Pizza deliver,Brick bodies and casino buffet giveaways.

[weams]

You have all the connections. Beer..and sunburn are the only things plentiful in the bleachers on a day like today. I actually had money in my wallet today, and no vendor to buy from.

I think the folks that have been in that section for a while are all good tippers. I know we get popcorn, hotdogs, soda, water, beer, and those lemon ice things. We are easy to get to, and there is a rail behind for the vendors to prop their wares on as well. It was nothing to do with me.

[Going Underground]

I think the folks that have been in that section for a while are all good tippers. I know we get popcorn, hotdogs, soda, water, beer, and those lemon ice things. We are easy to get to, and there is a rail behind for the vendors to prop their wares on as well. It was nothing to do with me.

Not true. I heard you spoke to John Wentzell,Delaware North and told him you are Weams,Managing Editor of Oriole Hangout. After that talk they brought everything to your section. Your tired,your poor and your hot dogs.

[MdSooner]

My wife and I must be in the minority.

We buy peanuts, pistachios, and water outside of the stadium. We are almost always first in line when the gates open. We get to our seats and sit down and watch batting practice and such.

We rarely get out of our seats during the game. But in section 56 there are several different types of vendors that come by if we wanted to buy something.

[catseyepub]

EBay today is a haven for sellers of yesterday's giveaway. People paying up to $90 for the shirt.Amazing.

[MdSooner]

EBay today is a haven for sellers of yesterday's giveaway. People paying up to $90 for the shirt.Amazing.

Are people paying that or are the sellers ASKING that?

[TonySoprano]

I think the folks that have been in that section for a while are all good tippers. I know we get popcorn, hotdogs, soda, water, beer, and those lemon ice things. We are easy to get to, and there is a rail behind for the vendors to prop their wares on as well. It was nothing to do with me.

Sitting on an aisle seat and being the guy asked, "hey will you pass that down?" several times, I can tell you that money only went in one direction, to the beer man, and they kept the change. Popcorn? They bring that around? I can't remember the last time any food was brought around. Having been to six games already, five of which in various bleacher sections, the experience has been identical. You would never wait more than a couple minutes for a beer man. The rest, fuhgeddaboudit, and I agree that it's assumed those in the lower seating bowl have more money for beer, but c'mon theres a big difference in bleacher seat prices versus those along the baselines.

Did not get a shirt because the great light rail train kept losing power and missed a shirt by five minutes.

Second Sunday in a row we've had a lousy light rail experience to put it mildly. We took the first southbound train of the day, and it standing room only. On the northbound headed home, we boarded the train at the Convention center and were greeted with "Attention passengers, this train isn't moving anytime soon." Twice. I kid you not. No "we're sorry for the delay," no ETA when we would be moving. There was a northbound train broken down just ahead of us on the line. It was over 20 minutes before they cleared that out of the way so we could proceed. The only game I went to for the giveaway was the Buck gnome one, the other tickets were bought before the promotions were announced. Between a Light Rail service that could not give a damn about the customer, and overwhelmingly beer only vendors in the lower deck, they aren't doing much for the "family experience."

[Going Underground]

Sitting on an aisle seat and being the guy asked, "hey will you pass that down?" several times, I can tell you that money only went in one direction, to the beer man, and they kept the change. Popcorn? They bring that around? I can't remember the last time any food was brought around. Having been to six games already, five of which in various bleacher sections, the experience has been identical. You would never wait more than a couple minutes for a beer man. The rest, fuhgeddaboudit, and I agree that it's assumed those in the lower seating bowl have more money for beer, but c'mon theres a big difference in bleacher seat prices versus those along the baselines.

Second Sunday in a row we've had a lousy light rail experience to put it mildly. We took the first southbound train of the day, and it standing room only. On the northbound headed home, we boarded the train at the Convention center and were greeted with "Attention passengers, this train isn't moving anytime soon." Twice. I kid you not. No "we're sorry for the delay," no ETA when we would be moving. There was a northbound train broken down just ahead of us on the line. It was over 20 minutes before they cleared that out of the way so we could proceed. The only game I went to for the giveaway was the Buck gnome one, the other tickets were bought before the promotions were announced. Between a Light Rail service that could not give a damn about the customer, and overwhelmingly beer only vendors in the lower deck, they aren't doing much for the "family experience."

The Light Rail stinks. Rapid transit. Going Southbound in the city it barely hits 10 miles an hour. I don't know why they can't put the stops at the light Rail at the lights. So you go to the stop and wait awhile and then you move a few feet and then have a light. I don't know why they don't have automated announcements for stops. At least half the team the driver does not say the stops. The people on Sunday do not take it all the time. They never say a word like on the Washington Metro like we are waiting for something. A few weeks ago going home,the train breaks down and the driver says go to the other side of the tracks. The train will be here shortly. Train never comes and we have to cross the tracks to get the original train. The bus bridge is a joke. They don't line the people up after getting off of Light Rail in any order to get on the bus so it is a free for all. People pushing from all sides. It was voted the worst Light rail system in the country.

[sportsfan8703]

The Light Rail stinks. Rapid transit. Going Southbound in the city it barely hits 10 miles an hour. I don't know why they can't put the stops at the light Rail at the lights. So you go to the stop and wait awhile and then you move a few feet and then have a light. I don't know why they don't have automated announcements for stops. At least half the team the driver does not say the stops. The people on Sunday do not take it all the time. They never say a word like on the Washington Metro like we are waiting for something. A few weeks ago going home,the train breaks down and the driver says go to the other side of the tracks. The train will be here shortly. Train never comes and we have to cross the tracks to get the original train. The bus bridge is a joke. They don't line the people up after getting off of Light Rail in any order to get on the bus so it is a free for all. People pushing from all sides. It was voted the worst Light rail system in the country.

I've been trying to tell you guys about Uber. You could always drive to where you usually get on the light rail and park. Take the light rail in, if you want, and uber back to your car after the game. I get picked up right outside pickles after the games and get a ride back to catonsville for 12 bucks. That cab ride used to cost 40. The most I wait is 5-10 mins after the game with no walking at all. Heck I've left the upper deck at the top of the 8th and been home to watch the end of the game before.