Dolphin Stadium (#22)

Pirates vs. Marlins
Marlins Win 9-7

Dolphin Stadium, formerly known under many different monikers, is a great place to watch a ball game.  It's too bad not many people did.  If it weren't for a few thousand screaming kids there for "Day Camp Day," the actual attendance would have been well under 10,000.  By far these were the best seats we have had, and probably will ever have. They gave us a great new perspective on watching baseball. We sat as close to the field as a fan can get without being on it. This meant we had to pay close attention for a screaming foul ball; none came.  Worth a mention, is that I was not able to buy my usual souvenir on this portion of the quest.  It appears that the souvenir stands and pro shop must close as soon as the game is done.  It's hard to make that extra revenue if you aren't open to the fans.

The game started off hot with Marlin's pitcher Scott Olsen striking out the first five batters he faced. He finished the game with a respectable 10 strikeouts and the win.  The Marlins took advantage of many Pirate miscues to jump out to a big lead.  They almost gave that lead away in the 8th as Dan Uggla lost a ball in the Sun and kept an inning alive.  The Marlins staved off a sweep by the Pirates.  Hats off to the few thousand kids coming for Day Camp Day.  They cheered, chanted and watched the game closely!  That was great to see.

Wrigley Field (#2)

Marlins vs. Cubs
Cubs lose 3-4


What can be said about Wrigley Field that half the country doesn't already know. The fans on the north side of Chicago are undoubtedly the best baseball has to offer. They have stood by their Cubbies, for decades and have never been troubled by threats of their team moving. The stadium has a rich history that you can feel when you walk in. It was late August so the ivy covered the outfield wall, was in a large green mass. We attended one of the few night games at Wrigley. Even though they added lights to the stadium in 1988, they donÕt play many night games.

The game was pretty good, we had missed part of the first inning because parking at Wrigley is almost nonexistent. Sammy Sosa hit a line drive homer to right field, but it wasn't enough to give the Cubs a win. One big problem the Cubs had was leaving men on base. Even though we are cheering the home team on at each stadium, I was quietly glad the Marlins won.