Recap of GABP Visit

Thanks to everyone who provided input on my visit to GABP last week.  My 8yr old son and I ended up going to the getaway game with the Nationals.  Here's my review:  after a morning at the Newport Aquarium, we left the car (and the wife and daughters) and walked across the Taylor bridge, which was closer than the purple bridge others had mentioned.  We picked up some bottled water for $1 from a vendor just outside the stadium, and put them in our small cooler already filled with Cracker Jacks, Slim Jims, and apples.

We had lucked into great seats on eBay, so we picked them up at will call.  They were in Section 131, Row F - the front row, between the dugout steps and the cameraman, and directly in line with first base!  Unfortunately, there was absolutely no shade and it was blisteringly hot.  For future (hot) day games, I'd look for tickets about 25 rows back along the first base side; they seemed to have good shade most of the day.

Being so close, my son was able to get his cap autographed by Joey Votto as he walked down the dugout steps right before gametime.  We also had 2 foul ball grounders that got tossed in our direction; one by the Nat's first base coach, and the other by Billy Hatcher.  My son and the kid sitting next to him were the recipients.

As for the game, it is safe to say that the Reds mailed it in.  I wanted to yell out "Hey, we're hot, too!" but I let it go.  We missed the one run they scored as we were out getting hot dogs.  The two combo meals (hot dog, drink, chips and/or rice krispie bar) were about $12.50, which I thought was reasonable.

Other thoughts:  I was surprised that Jonny Gomes is so small in comparison to Drew and Jay.  Jonny looked more wiry than muscular.  Edinson was awful.  Oh, and buy shirts after the game at a vendor farther away from the ballpark; we saved $5 that way.

Hope to go again this season.  I hadn't been to a Reds game since 1989 or thereabouts.  It was good to be back.

Patrick