Friday, July 12, 2024

(Full disclosure: I was not able to watch the entire game. I had to leave after the third inning to catch an international flight in Newark. Therefore, I did not have a full experience.)

It rained throughout the day and evening, and I even had doubts whether the game would proceed. The forecast was called for thunderstorms. Interestingly enough, the game still went on. The field was covered with tarp when I arrived and stayed that way until a few minutes before first pitch.

Knowing my visit would be short, I made sure that every second I had there was not wasted. I got my stamp and certificate. I checked out section 301, where I was told the Pandemic Crew would be sitting. (But no one was there when I went. I was probably too early.). I ate a hot dog and purchased a pin and a scorecard!

I walked everywhere. And everywhere I went, I smelled the aroma of delicious food! I smelled BBQ, grilled sausages and onions, and boy, did it make me want to stay and cancel my flight. And despite the ballpark having so many food options, it didn’t have the same commercialized feeling that Chase Field has.

The stadium also has simple and subtle design; the brown neutral color scheme that I saw throughout the ballpark works really well with the sapphire blue seats.

Citizens Bank Park has a capacity of over 43,000, yet there is not one bad seat in the house. When I hung out in section 421, which is the highest level, the field still seemed close. The ballpark has an intimate setting like Fenway.

I also met Andrea, section 421’s usher. She was amazing and definitely deserves a raise for the valuable service she gave me! She took “pictures of me” and gave me several tips and suggestions.

She was quite knowledgeable and knew everything about the ballpark, the best food concessions, the exact layout, and even where I could charge my phone. She even told me I could go down to the visitor dugout area and tell the usher working that section, “Andrea said I could come down here.” Because of my time constraints, I did not take advantage of this. Plus, there were no players out in the field warming up due to the rain.

We talked about my Oakland A’s, too. She also shared that even if the Philly games may be selling out now, there were losing seasons when the ballpark would be as empty as the Coliseum.

On two different occasions, Philly fans asked me how I was doing and if fans were treating me well. I thought that was kind and hospitable of them to ask.

An elderly man approached me and offered $5 for the Philly hat giveaway I was holding. He said he wanted to give it to his grandson. I happily gave him the hat at no cost.

I always say it’s people who make or break your experiences and trips. It is not the red brick walls of the ballpark or the myriad of food choices, or the modern design, etc. It’s the people. Even though I was only there for a couple of hours, it was an experience I will always remember.

And I will definitely come back to watch an entire game next time. So see you again, Citizens Bank Park! I shall return.

Read all the Chasing A’s here…