Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

habernac · 05-17-2005, 07:42 PM

Went to Dallas for a week or so, volunteered for the Byron Nelson Classic (that's another thread.....) and got to see my first games at the Ballpark in Arlington (yeah, its called Ameriquest Field or something now, but I like the old name)

Went to 3 games in all, caught 2 against the Indians on the weekend and the Monday nighter against the Tigers. I gotta gice the Texans one thing, they sure are polite. Had no problems meeting people at the game to talk baseball (went by myself for the weekend games).

Got there early Saturday, about an hour before game time. The freeways there are brutal, lots of construction, traffic tie ups. Pull up to the stadium and they want $20 for parking?!?? Yeah, right.....found some more reasonable parking and headed for the field.

Man, is this place ever impressive when you're walking up! It is absolutely gigantic! You walk through the gates and into the belly of the place and you're surrounded by good old fashioned ball park sights and smells. Why isn't this place mentioned in the same breath as Camden Yards or Jacobs Field?

The retired numbers are there, Nolan Ryan's 34 and of course Jackie Robinson's 42. Late manager Johnny Oates' 26 is also on the left field fence. There are also flags flying for Ryan, Gaylord Perry and Fergie Jenkins, the only Rangers in the Hall of Fame. They also have a great scoreboard and that neat patch of grass over center filed where the kids fight over home run balls. It didn't take long for Alfonso Soriano to hit his first of the night there, much to the chagrin of one die hard Rangers fan. He doesn't like him because he used to be a Yankee. It was pretty funny listening to him bad mouth Soriano's defense. Every time that happened, Alfonso would hit another one (2 on the night, nice treat!)

Kenny Rogers got his golden glove award before the game and Chuck Norris threw out the cermonial first pitch, even taking the time to warm up with the rest of the Rangers before the game. Very cool.

All in all, a good time. I would recommend to anyone who gets out there to check out a game. Beautiful stadium. A little out of the way, but nice friendly people. But take the local's advice and catch the bus from Hooters to save parking $$$$

Well, thats 3 stadiums down and 27 more to go!

05-17-2005, 07:42 PM	#1
habernac Franchise Player Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: sector 7G Exp:	Went to Dallas for a week or so, volunteered for the Byron Nelson Classic (that's another thread.....) and got to see my first games at the Ballpark in Arlington (yeah, its called Ameriquest Field or something now, but I like the old name) Went to 3 games in all, caught 2 against the Indians on the weekend and the Monday nighter against the Tigers. I gotta gice the Texans one thing, they sure are polite. Had no problems meeting people at the game to talk baseball (went by myself for the weekend games). Got there early Saturday, about an hour before game time. The freeways there are brutal, lots of construction, traffic tie ups. Pull up to the stadium and they want $20 for parking?!?? Yeah, right.....found some more reasonable parking and headed for the field. Man, is this place ever impressive when you're walking up! It is absolutely gigantic! You walk through the gates and into the belly of the place and you're surrounded by good old fashioned ball park sights and smells. Why isn't this place mentioned in the same breath as Camden Yards or Jacobs Field? The retired numbers are there, Nolan Ryan's 34 and of course Jackie Robinson's 42. Late manager Johnny Oates' 26 is also on the left field fence. There are also flags flying for Ryan, Gaylord Perry and Fergie Jenkins, the only Rangers in the Hall of Fame. They also have a great scoreboard and that neat patch of grass over center filed where the kids fight over home run balls. It didn't take long for Alfonso Soriano to hit his first of the night there, much to the chagrin of one die hard Rangers fan. He doesn't like him because he used to be a Yankee. It was pretty funny listening to him bad mouth Soriano's defense. Every time that happened, Alfonso would hit another one (2 on the night, nice treat!) Kenny Rogers got his golden glove award before the game and Chuck Norris threw out the cermonial first pitch, even taking the time to warm up with the rest of the Rangers before the game. Very cool. All in all, a good time. I would recommend to anyone who gets out there to check out a game. Beautiful stadium. A little out of the way, but nice friendly people. But take the local's advice and catch the bus from Hooters to save parking $$$$ Well, thats 3 stadiums down and 27 more to go!