matthewweaver.com | mlb ballparks

Ballpark:
The first of the new "retro" ballparks, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is the structure that set the standard for all new baseball parks since its opening in 1992. Though the nondescript New Comiskey Park in Chicago was opened the year before, Oriole Park stunned the baseball world with its throwback beauty, quirky dimensions, fan amenities and downtown location. It started the era of downtown, fan-friendly parks and that was a welcome change after the 1970s Cookie Cutter Era.

Nothing like it had been built for at least half a century! The architects, HOK Sports, were later sought out to design many of the ballparks that were built in the 1990s and 2000s and they might be single-handedly responsible for saving the game of professional baseball. Think about it.

Even after more than a decade of baseball, Oriole Park is still one of the best parks in the Major Leagues. As you stroll through the huge concourses and take in the orange brick and forest green colors of the venue, you get a feeling that this is somehow just right.

From much of the ballpark, the skyline of Baltimore and the Bromo Seltzer clock tower are in view and the massive B&O Warehouse dominates the backdrop from center field to right field. Fan-friendly amenities include very visible tiered bullpens in left center field, a home run porch high above the right field wall and an expansive fan concourse between right field and the warehouse. Here you'll find the team store, small plaques commemorating titanic home runs, like Ken Griffey's in 1993, and the famous Boog's Bar-B-Q (named for owner and Oriole great Boog Powell) that puffs smoke all game long from its cooking grills.

Speaking of food, you have to have a sandwich at Boog's Bar-B-Q. It is absolutely a must! Make sure to slather on the barbeque sauce and walk over to the right field home run porch to watch the game while you're enjoying your sandwich. Other than that, the pizza and hot dogs are respectable, though nothing to write home about.

Despite the visionary design of the park, there are a few areas that could be improved. The upper deck "box" seats are obstructed somewhat by the metal railings, making it difficult to watch the pitches. Also, the scoreboard and video screen are rather outdated compared to the newer parks in the major, but I guess that is to be expected.

Ultimately, the tremendous atmosphere of park and its close proximity to Downtown Baltimore and the Inner Harbor, make Oriole Park at Camden Yards one of the best parks in the league -- even today. I give it a very strong "A".

How to get there:
The easiest way to reach the park from Baltimore-Washington International Airport is to take Interstate 195 North to Maryland Route 295 (the Baltimore-Washington Parkway). Follow Route 295 North until it becomes Russell Street and continue straight to Oriole Park.

You can also take the MTA light rail system right to the ballpark. The train stops at the B&O Warehouse and many fans use the MTA system to avoid the traffic and parking problems in the area.

City:
Baltimore was the original "comeback city" of the East. A dingy and dangerous city for many years, Baltimore resurrected its downtown in the 1980s by creating a commercial district called the Inner Harbor. With upscale shopping, museums, the National Aquarium, a science center and plenty of walkways along the water, the Inner Harbor breathed new life in the city. In the 1990s, Baltimore built a sports complex housing Oriole Park and a football stadium for the NFL Ravens just a short walk from Downtown and the Inner Harbor. The whole U.S. seemed to be flocking to Baltimore and patterning their economic renewals after the city.

The popularity of the city has waned a bit in recent years and crime and poverty are still a problem in areas of the city - just drive along Orleans Street to the East of Downtown and you'll see run down housing projects. (I mean, there's a reason that the NBC TV series Homicide filmed in Baltimore.) Despite these all-too-common problems, Baltimore is a nice place to visit and certainly a great place to see baseball.

Stuff to do while there:
The Inner Harbor is the place to be. Shop at Harborplace, see an IMAX movie at the Maryland Science Center, check out the sea creatures at the National Aquarium or dine on fresh Chesapeake Bay crab at one of the area restaurants. It's all good. Another must see is the ESPNZone - one of only a few in the country - inside the Powerhouse.

If you get bored, Washington, DC, is just drive a 30 minute drive down I-95, Philadelphia is only 1-1/2 hours to the Northeast and the beach at Ocean City, Maryland, is a pleasant 2-1/2 drive to the Eastern Shore of the state.

Story:
My 2005 trip to Oriole Park was park of a 4-park-in-5-days trip along the East Coast. From my home base in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I drove down to Baltimore, checked into the Tremont Plaza Hotel and hung out at the Inner Harbor for the day. I ate lunch at the ESPNZone, walked around the harbor area and the sports complex before getting ready for the night game. It was a nice day and not nearly as hot as in Philadelphia two days earlier.

In 1996, my cousin Beth and I drove from her house in Ocean City to see the game. I timed the visit to see her, the beach and the game. By chance, my Cleveland friends Dave and Mike, as well as some of their family members also had tickets to the game. Believe it or not, we did not plan it this way, but we sat in the same section!

In 1996, while wandering the Inner Harbor, I happened upon Orioles legendary third baseman Brooks Robinson who was signing autographs. Though I couldn't afford the signature (he was charging a pretty decent sum of cash for me to stomach in 1996), I did snap a photo of him for posterity.

Fun facts:
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is the real name of the ballpark, but most people refer to it as "Camden Yards."

The Eutaw Street entrance is actually an old Baltimore street that was closed when the ballpark was built.

The outfield dimension of the park were in doubt for years and the Orioles finally moved home plate back to lengthen the distance to the wall by 5-7 feet. Since the numbers on the outfield wall were already inflated, they didn't have to change them much even though the plate was moved back.

During the 7th Inning Stretch and after the singing of Take Me Out to the Ballgame, the team plays John Denver's Thank God I'm a Country Boy and the entire crowd stomps their feet and claps their hands.

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The home plate entrance to
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
August 23, 2005

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A mosaic photo of Oriole Park
from high above home plate
August 23, 2005

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Matt, in ESPN Jersey, at his seats
August 23, 2005

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A mosaic photo of Oriole Park
from the center field picnic area
August 23, 2005

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A mosaic photo of the landmark
B&O Warehouse next to the park
August 23, 2005

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The Eutaw Street CF entrance
August 23, 2005

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Oriole pitcher John Maine fires
to catcher Javy Lopez
August 23, 2005

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The Babe Ruth statue outside
the Eutaw Street CF entrance
August 23, 2005

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A full ballpark in happier times
July 27, 1996

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Matt tries to get on TV
July 27, 1996