Going to my first-ever pro baseball game Sunday!

[StellaBlue]

Astros vs. Rangers.

Not sure who to support. I'm from NE Texas, so lean toward the Rangers, but the whole * connection... I just don't know. Maybe I'll wear my Red Sox T-shirt. That'll piss em off.

I just want to drink a bunch of beer, hoot, and eat a hot dog. Oh, and get one of those giant, foam hands.

Any advice/anecdotes appreciated. I've only been to one baseball game, in high school.

[PDittie]

1. Eat before you get to the park

unless you're just jonesing for a (lousy, expensive) hot dog. My favorite is Irma's (Mexican) about a block west of the park, or if you have time and the legs to walk about four blocks, go over to Main and Preston (where the light rail line runs) and take your pick from St. Pete's Dancing Marlin (seafood) or El Rey (Cuban-Mex) or Cava Bistro (upscale surroundings but not prices, excellent continental cuisine) or walk a block south to Mia Bella Trattoria (Italian and very good).

Have a couple of beers at The Bus, directly across Texas Avenue from the park (costs half as much as inside).

If money is no object then try to upgrade to the club level -- about $45 a seat -- and go to the Carving Station, where they'll slice you some hot brisket or turkey breast or something similar. That's a twelve-dollar sandwich and worth every penny, especially for the potato salad.

Be sure and take a stroll around the stadium, and especially stand out on the left-center field concourse near or behind the Crawford Boxes.

They're giving away a t-shirt that day, but it's only to the first 10K, which means you'll have to get there pretty early -- like say, 11-ish -- to get one. (You can do that and still leave the park and go eat and go back in, of course.)

[StellaBlue]

2. Thanks!

My partner-in-crime for the day is really wanting one of those T-shirts. haha

[Richardo]

5. "Lotsa beer" = 2nd mortgage. This year: $7 each

Unless you've got an expense account in the house. :D

You'll have fun! Listen to PDittie - he knows of what he speaks!

[jobycom]

3. I was a Rangers fan before Bush screwed them up.

WHich park is it in? Both parks are fun, both have their own charms. Every time I've been to Minute Maid, I've sat in the boxes (wife's company has connections) and every time I've been in Arlington, I've sat in the cheap seats (I have no connections or money), so I can't compare them.

And don't worry about the prices, just bring a ton of cash and pretend you don't need it. Drink a warm, overpriced beer and a stale hot dog, just to say you've done it. Next time worry about the cash.

Oh yeah, and if it's in Arlington, bring sunscreen. My wife got so badly sunburned there once she couldn't bend her knees and was sick for a week. Stil has marks on her legs from that. Of course, that was the old stadium, with the metal stands that reflected the rays like a solar cooker...

Have fun! I love both those stadiums! Oh yeah, and the game should be good, too. Both teams are doing well right now.

[ceile]

4. I'm so jealous!

I used to go to the Astrodome a couple times a year when I was a kid. Can't afford to go to Minute Maid, parking alone is $15-so I've heard. And I live in Austin now. Eat some nachos for me!

[StellaBlue]

6. I am really looking forward to it now!

We're staying at a hotel, so may be able to walk to the park. I hope so!

My friend somehow got tickets for $10 each...

Nachos. Had nachos for lunch at Moe's on the Drag! haha. Overpriced, IMHO.