First Playoff Game Experience

[Spy Fox]

Yesterday was the first playoff game I've ever attended. Despite the result, I loved it. I want to share some of my observations, especially since I bet there might have been a lot more of this sort of talk around the board if we had seen a W. 

There was rain, there was the delay, but the anticipation was palpable in the hours leading up to the game. Everyone was in a great mood, including the stadium staff I encountered. Lines were long hours before the game. Strangers were talking to each other more than normal. 

The player introductions and pregame fanfare were a great feeling. The delayed start actually made this better, I think, because more people were already in their seats than would have been otherwise. It was the most emotional part of the day for me, and I found it very validating. I have friends and family I talk baseball with, I read the Hangout daily and go through phases of posting a lot, but still the vast majority of my fandom occurs just between me and a screen. Feeling the love these 45,000 strangers had for the same players and stories I follow daily was a more vivid feeling of community than I've had at any of the many, many regular season games I've attended. I didn't expect to be teary-eyed hearing the cheers for the starting lineup and the playoff "O," but I was.

During the game the crowd never got too down, and the energy spikes in response to every hit and pitcher K was immediate. Also, I went with my dad who has been to many a playoff game, including World Series games in the 60s and 70s when he was a kid. He introduced me to baseball when I was a kid in the 90s, and I went on to become a bigger baseball fan than he ever was. He and my mom were at the victorious Game 2s in the Yankees and Tigers ALDS in years I couldn't make it back to the area for various reasons. It was great to go together after, for me, about 30 years of waiting!

One big hit in the late innings would have brought the house down. Hopefully we see it today.

[Sports Guy]

I was surprised I didn’t have to stand more..although I’m ok with that, especially for my kids.

The lack of vendors in the UD was extremely noticeable. Seems like they really costed themselves some money by doing that.

Playoff baseball at OPACY is the best.

Edited October 8, 2023 by Sports Guy

[Frobby]

I can’t wait to go today and experience those feelings for the first time in 9 years.  Go O’s!

[foxfield]

I am driving 4+ hours today. So excited. Leaving shortly. Have attended many games, but today is my first ever playoff game. Section 316

[Spy Fox]

12 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

I was surprised I didn’t have to stand more..although I’m ok with that, especially for my kids.

The lack of vendors in the UD was extremely noticeable. Seems like they really costed themselves some money by doing that.

Playoff baseball at OPACY is the best.

The vendors thing is interesting. I didn’t notice it in-game but you’re right there was an overabundance of vendors in the concourse area and almost none out in the upper deck seating bowl. I wonder why.

The section I was in was alternating between standing quite a bit, at least standing some of every half-inning I think. Some sections were standing more, some less. There’s definitely a chain reaction based on the mood of the first few rows. 

[Sports Guy]

BTW, Joan Jett was awful. I think that was one of the worst National Anthems I have ever heard.

[swerda]

Sat in Section 70 there were vendors available all game FTR.

[eddie83]

6 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

BTW, Joan Jett was awful. I think that was one of the worst National Anthems I have ever heard.

I was so frustrated with FOX. I know typically we don’t see all the pregame stuff but with the delay I didn’t get why they wouldn’t show all of that. Don’t need anymore studio stuff.  

[eddie83]

Orioles went 7-2 in the games I attended this year. Going today. Hope I have a .800 winning % after today. 
 

Goes without saying be nice to score early. 

[Sports Guy]

52 minutes ago, eddie83 said:

I was so frustrated with FOX. I know typically we don’t see all the pregame stuff but with the delay I didn’t get why they wouldn’t show all of that. Don’t need anymore studio stuff.  

The player announcements were fine..nothing spectacular.

Jones threw out the first pitch but the PA announcer was going on and on about his accolades and he threw it way before she was done. She just kept going. It was awkward.

The anthem is worthy of missing just in terms of pure entertainment and quality of the anthem. I mean, her voice is terrible and it just wasn’t good.

[beantownrefugee]

Echoing what the OP said --- the crowd was terrific.  I think these were a lot of the Birdland members, because the plastic bag for carrying in food that the O's gave to the members was ubiquitous.  I'll give the Orioles credit at least for the upper deck concessions.  The lines moved a lot better than feared, AND they opened three more concession stands, one of which sold Boog's (behind section 372).  

I hope those attending today's game will be just as loud, and more importantly, enjoy the experience, win or lose.

[Don_Aase_Fan]

I too can't wait to go today. Went to a bunch of playoff games in 2012 and 2014, and there's really nothing better than a packed, energetic Yard.

Taking my two young boys this time around and very excited for them to get a taste of the postseason buzz.

[NCRaven]

3 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

BTW, Joan Jett was awful. I think that was one of the worst National Anthems I have ever heard.

Communist Baltimore hater.  How dare you?!

Edited October 8, 2023 by NCRaven

[Moshagge3]

2 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

The player announcements were fine..nothing spectacular.

Jones threw out the first pitch but the PA announcer was going on and on about his accolades and he threw it way before she was done. She just kept going. It was awkward.

The anthem is worthy of missing just in terms of pure entertainment and quality of the anthem. I mean, her voice is terrible and it just wasn’t good.

-The sound system is still in appallingly bad condition. From Section 340 you could barely hear what players were being announced. I couldn't tell you anything that was said about Adam Jones, but he did hype up the crowd big time. They did not announce the inactives like they did in 2014, so no chance to cheer for John Means or Felix Bautista.

-Joan Jett should have played the anthem on guitar like Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. A cappella singing is not really what the Joan Jett experience is about.

[Justinlstn]

I dislike the kiosk at the concession stands. Also I was surprised they did not have any fountain sodas, only bottles. at least not in the upper level that I saw.