As I've mentioned, I was at today's game at the Great American Ballpark. I had my camera with me and got some interesting shots, which I will thusly share. (Click on the pictures for a larger image.)

Jeff Francoeur breaks his bat late in the game.

Yunel Escobar hits a homerun.

Chipper Jones crosses home after his second inning homerun.

A picture perfect day at the Great American Ballpark.

I guess injured guys stick together.

We'll see if I have the energy to schlep the camera to tomorrow's game.

After raining most of the day, the weather decided to clear up in time for the Braves - Nationals game. We took the Metro from Union Station near our hotel to Navy Yards Station where a horde of fans filed out of the train and up to the street for the two-block march to the stadium.

There were scalpers just outside the Metro exit and lower level tickets were quickly and almost too easily purchased for half price. Turns out we probably could have gotten them for a lot less -- the Nats are apparently not that big of a draw in their current state (and the Braves aren't too much star power either). Nonetheless, I'm always happy with half price tickets and this time was no exception.

The one constant all night was the amount of Braves fans throughout the stadium -- a whole lot more than I expected. Perhaps it is the proximity of the Richmond Braves which leads to so many Braves fans in DC. I was pretty proud that we had such a good out of town showing. Well done Braves Nation.

One of the first things that jumped out at me when I saw the inside of Nationals Park is how big it is. There are seats nestled everywhere. Another thing I was mighty impressed with was the tastleful nature of their advertising placement. The advertising is not too overdone, and while there are plenty of ads, they're not too obtrusive. Part of it may have to do with the large and flashy Nationals logos which are everywhere, but those are okay with me since they are doing a good job or drowning out the advertising.

I had a cheesteak both nights I was at the stadium -- damn good. Other than that the food is pretty typical except for the chili bowl stand or two (which were packed). Something tells me that a whole bowl of chili during a three to four hour baseball game is not a good idea.

I definitely like the stadium, yet another one I would go back to. If you go on a weekday, as long as the Nationals suck, just wait and get scalped tickets (aim for near half price). Weekend tickets are considered "premium" tickets, which is sort of like the Nationals scalping their own tickets -- if they want people at the games next year they better reduce their ticket prices. If you go on the weekends, keep looking for good deals, you'll still find them.

I attended the last two games of the 'Richmond' Braves at The Diamond last weekend. The Diamond is like a south-central high school stadium with lots of concrete and bleachers with chair backs almost as an afterthought. There is, though, a kind of intimacy to the stadium. Perhaps it's the ridiculously high stands reaching behind you and the clamshell of a roof over your head that makes it seem like you are nestled in a big cozy arm chair... and then the late innings roll around and your rump tells a different story.

The view behind the outfielders is the instantly recognizable double stack of ads so overdone it has become the campy familiarity of all minor league parks. In the moments just before the team takes the field the home team's players pop up from behind the dugout and hurl batting gloves, balls, and fitted hats in the stands (tip: make sure you use two hands to catch any of these items).

The local sausages at the stand under the first base bleachers are the food to be had, though if the line at the funnel cake stand was half its length I would have indulged in one of those. The other food seemed to hold its own in smell and appearance against any major league stadium. I definitely think the team that takes over in Richmond next year will find a supportive and energetic fan base ready and willing to get behind a new baseball club.

The final game was a nice sendoff by the Richmond fans, aided by many former Richmond Braves like Javy Lopez and Dale Murphy. My flight back to Atlanta was the last plane out of Richmond on Monday night, and apparently Lopez and Murph had the same idea.

As I approached the gate of the ASA plane I first noticed Javy, talking to Jorge Julio, who I had recognized earlier at the check in kiosk. I then recognized an older man slumped in his waiting area seat working a crossword puzzle on his computer -- Dale Murphy. I didn't go up to either of them and say hi or anything, I guess it was one of those 'respect personal boundaries' moments.

My friend and I boarded the plane, sitting in seats 15 D and C, and moments later, walking down the aisle with their heads half cocked to avoid dragging on the ceiling were Javy and Murphy; they sat right next to me in 15 A and B. My friend quipped, 'this is like a baseball wet dream for you, isn't it?' Well duh!

Javy moved back a few aisles to sit with Jorge Julio and chat in Spanish the entire flight, and poor Murphy stayed in his coach seat, maxing out every inch of space between seat back and bulkhead which was clearly not designed for his long legs and longer torso.

Murph took a nap for much of the flight. I had a baseball I bought in Richmond and towards the end of the flight I walked back for Javy to sign it -- which he did with a big smile. Murphy eventually woke up and I got him to sign the baseball as well. We struck up a conversation for the last few mintues of the flight, talking about the triple-A team's move to Gwinett, and about Murphy's sons and what they were up to. He seemed especially proud of his son, Shawn, who is a rookie with the Miami Dolphins this year. "He's a linebacker," Murphy said of his son with a proud tone.

I bring up this story about Murph and Javy, in part because, well, I have a blog and I can, but also becuase both of these guys, especially Murphy were such down to Earth fellows. When it came down to it, Murphy was just like any other guy on a plane trying to make it home. And for me, what a ridiculously fitting end to a baseball trip -- flying home with Dale Murphy.

It's a good thing that there is a Camden Yards because there's not that much to do in Baltimore. The city has a sleepiness to it while at the same time forcing itself to try and be touristy. Camden certainly stands out in the city as a place with more natural vibrancy.

We stayed in the same hotel as the Baltimore Ravens, who were playing a game the next day, so every elevator ride was accompanied by a huge muscular individual -- I have not aptitude for recognizing football players and failed to recognize a single one.

There were a few bars across from the stadium that we did some pre-game drinking at -- much better beer prices than on the inside. Over the course of a couple of rounds we haggled on and off with a scalper who finally met our price at half off face value. We probably could have dome better, but if I get half price tickets I'm usually a happy man.

We stayed on the main concourse level of the park for the balance of the game. Our seats were on the first base side about half way down, and we wandered around the stadium and in front of the warehouse on what is called Eutaw Street.

The food smells from the stands were fantastic, and there was a good variety of typical ballpark fare, with some seafood and barbecued meats. I got a hot dog that was one of the best stadium hot dogs I've ever bought -- a perfect combination of slightly crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

There really doesn't seem to be a bad seat in the park. The similarities to Turner Field were quite amazing, but not surprising as we blatantly copied them with respects to certain design decisions. The park does have a need for an outfield bar, and they have the perfect spot for one over the right field scoreboard which is currenly just a plaza with flagpoles -- that's probably the one thing I'd change/add to Camden.

All in all, Camden is a really nice stadium -- most of the good things written about it seem to be true. I think one of the real tests of a good stadium is if I would return, and I definitely would. Now if they could just do something about the rest of Baltimore.

Here is a link to the box score for the game I was at.

I'm headed out of town (again) this week on a baseball road trip. I'll be starting off in Baltimore on Wednesday, catching an Orioles-White Sox game at Camden Yards. Then I take the train down to Washington for three nights. The Braves will be in town to play the Nationals, so I hope to catch the first two games of that series. After DC I head down to Richmond, Virginia for the final two games in "Richmond" Braves history -- the last game being played on Labor Day afternoon. I'll have reports of each game I attend, some pictures, and hopefully some stadium reviews as well (I usually promise these and never deliver, but we'll see if I can stick to it this time). I've never been to any of these stadiums so it should be quite an adventure. If anyone has any tips for me feel free to post a comment.