Take Me Out To A Ball Game

During my summer travels I got to participate in the All American Pastime: Baseball. Now I should point out that this was as a spectator, I think it’s safe to say no one would want me to participate in an actual game. 


I should also point out that I don’t like watching sports. Watching golf seems like a cruel and unusual punishment, I find football tiresome, rugby is no better and I can just about stomach tennis if the match features someone I like (really just Andy Murray). But baseball is a whole different ballgame.

First off, the game itself is quite easy to understand. It’s interesting but can last for hours. But where baseball really excels is all the extras that come along with it: clothing, food, music and games.


It feels theatrical. I attended two baseball games: the Chicago Cubs playing at the beautiful, ivy covered Wrigley field stadium and the New York Mets at Citi Field. The experiences were different but both thrilling.


Before attending we had to dress for the occasion. Most spectators wear the colours or jerseys of their team. Already I was into this, I like working with a theme and soon found that Victoria Secret’s PINK collection caters to Major League Baseball teams

Even if you don’t really know anything about the team wearing the clothes make you feel part of the action (fake it ‘til you make it, right?).

Then comes the food. If you are a healthy eater who stays away from processed food then a baseball stadium will not be your friend. If, like me, you love salty and sweet snacks that wouldn’t be out of place at a theme park then this is your sport. There are hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, cotton candy, chicken tenders, pizza, kettle corn, real lemonade and so much more (particularly in mega stadium Citi Field – they even have a Shake Shack).


Once you’ve bought enough food to feed a small, very unhealthy army you can take you seats and settle down for the game. The baseball itself is peppered with lots of fun traditions: the throwing of the first pitch, singing the national anthem, kiss cam, competitions, singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the seventh inning stretch (my personal favourite).


All in all, it is a really fun experience and one that I would go to again. I would seriously recommend anyone visiting the States in the summer to get a ticket and go along. Tickets aren’t that expensive ($40 - $60) and the games were a total home run!