Opening Weekend

It's an annual rite of passage for every baseball fan. When Spring time comes around, the Opening Weekend for professional baseball is a sign that warmer and longer days are ahead, summer is close, and the National Pastime is back. For me, my Opening Weekend saw me hit four games in four days in San Bernardino and Anaheim. I was reminded just how great those two experiences are and what a fantastic season I have planned.

I decided to go all out this season and get not one, but TWO season ticket packages for the Inland Empire 66ers. When I picked up my tickets a few weeks ago, I couldn't believe just how many tickets I had. I splurged some more and got tickets right behind the dugout. I have planned 20 games this season down at San Manuel Stadium, so I will certainly get my baseball fill of the California League.

The 66ers opened the season against the Stockton Ports, and took two out of the three games I went to. If you remember last year, the 66ers started the season just plain awful then put it together at the end of the season for a playoff push. Hopefully, this year, they will start strong and not wait until the last week of the season to clinch a playoff berth.

As opposed to last year, I kind of have a different relationship with the 66ers as a result of my trip last month to Spring Training. I actually got a chance to meet some of the players and I feel like I have been invested with the team because I saw them play in Spring Training on the Backfields. I talked with a lot of the players during that trip, and I have an affinity for their development as ballplayers. 

The final day of the weekend had me on the OC train down to Anaheim for my first Angels game of the year. I got off the train at Anaheim Canyon, rode the 8-miles into Downtown Orange, had coffee and bagels, and then rode to the Big A. My routine I established last year for pre-game was just as awesome as it was when I first thought of it. One wrinkle I'm adding for this year involves my post game routine. Instead of riding back into Orange, I'm going to ride to Noble Ale Works for a beer, catch the train in Anaheim, then transfer at Orange to the train home. 

For being the first Angels game of the year, I picked a doozie. The Halos were entertaining the reigning AL Champion Kansas City Royals. This is the same Royals team that knocked the Angels out of the postseason last year in three games. And, just like last October, the Royals had the Angels number as they roughed up CJ Wilson to win 9-2. 

I was very pleased with my Opening Weekend, and I can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings. It's going to be a long summer, and all this baseball will make it that much better. 

I'll be heading back to the college diamond this weekend as I travel into LA to see my Ducks play at USC from Dedeaux Field. This will be my second visit to the USC campus, but my first where I'll be actively rooting against the Trojans. I'm hoping that the Duck fans who make the trip down are more energetic than the UC Riverside game I went to last month. If not, I'll root for the Ducks loud and proud. 

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)