Mar 29, 2009 19:48 - By: Kim Tracy Prince
Do you hear that sound? Do you smell that smell? Do you see that long slow line of traffic ahead of you on the 101? Oh yeah, that means Dodger Stadium Opening Day is coming up – Monday April 13, 2009. Getting tickets to the event is tricky, but the Dodger corporation is trying to make it easier for Joe Baseball Fan to get them by registering here.
Even if you don’t make it to Opening Day, the fact that it’s coming means you have months of baseball stadium goodness opportunities ahead of you. Los Angeles may not have much in the way of football, and Lakers tickets might be completely out of the question for most people, but there’s always Dodger Stadium. As locals will tell you, getting there is no joke. The famous Los Angeles traffic snafu is made worse every time there’s a game, so luckily there are traffic and entry tips on the team’s website.
Not being a huge baseball fan myself, I go for the excitement – the roar of the crowd, the music, the expensive beer and snacks . This will be the year our family brings our two young sons to their first professional baseball game, so I’m psyching myself up and breaking out some insider tips from last year’s 50th anniversary PR movement, courtesy of Dodgers Ambassador Corey Eisner.
TOP THREE PLACES TO SCORE AN AUTOGRAPH
The stadium gates open two hours before the game, giving your family a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the ballpark. There are three great places around the ballpark where you can bring the kids to get autographs.
- Out behind the centerfield wall there is an area known to fans as Autograph Alley. Each game, a Dodger Legend signs autographs for youngsters and adults alike. All you have to do is hop in line and you will receive the autograph of Dodger greats such as Ron Cey, Bobby Castillo, or Tommy Davis. The Alley gives fans of all ages a chance to converse about Dodger history and start their autograph collections.
- Also out in centerfield, Dodger fans have the opportunity no other fans have, they can step out onto the warning track. At Chavez Ravine, fans can walk out onto the dirt, behind a blocked off area, and enjoy batting practice with the big leaguers. Make sure you bring your baseball gloves, as home runs fly into the area during batting practice, giving your kids a great opportunity to catch an official Major League baseball.
- Another great place to start your child’s autograph collection is on the field level at aisle 27A. All children are allowed to come down next to the Dodgers dugout where they have the opportunity to get autographs from current Dodger superstars. The key to autograph success is to come early!
Between each inning there are bloopers, highlights, and interactive games that appear on the Dodgervision scoreboard to entertain the fans. Also, feel free to pick up a Dodgers Magazine which includes a scorecard so that you can teach your kids all about baseball. Attending a Dodger game over the summer is a great activity and something your family can get excited about together. If you can’t make it to a game, go for a behind the scenes tour.
For discounted tickets visit the E-saver page on the Dodgers website. Promotions change almost weekly with different discounts on tickets. Also, children 3 and under are free!
[photos courtesy of Dodgers.com]
