The Written Word
for August 15,1999

Take me out to the ball game! Take me out with the crowd!

To me, baseball is the best team sport in the world. Oh I know it's supposed to be slow but it's an anticipation game. It's not just what's happening but what might happen. And it's strategy that you can - indeed must - plot step by step. Like Chess but with, at times, amazing speed, lightning-like reflexes and unparalleled excitement. And there is no place quite like Safeco Field to see a baseball game.

Part of the fun is getting there and Wendy and I opted for the train - Amtrak out of the old CN station. The scheduling isn't fantastic although it worked very well for us. We left at 6:00PM Friday and came home at 7:45AM on Sunday. $131 return Canadian. Now this is coach class but it's very comfortable and the people running the show are, well, so American, if you know what I mean. Not tight-assed like we were. The announcer on the train gave us the details with laughter ... even joked about how non smoking meant non smoking so that no one felt offended. Dinner was not gourmet but good with a nice Eastern Washington wine accompanying. And there was a movie for those that want such things. Four hours on the button and we were in downtown Seattle.

With a big trip to Scotland coming up we were very budget conscious and stayed in a hotel which was a favourite of my Mom and Dad's back in the 40s - The Camlin with is at 9th and Pike ... very central, just a couple of blocks from Nordstroms. It's an old hotel which has seen better days but huge, very comfortable rooms and, if you want the new annex, air-conditioned. We stayed the first night in the annex which felt too much like a motel to me and a very comfortable second night in the old hotel. The lounge on the 11th floor is very popular especially for young people. At $US99 per night including breakfast it was a good deal.

Saturday in Seattle was great fun. Wendy did Nordstroms and the Bon Marche - no spending because we'd have to pay duty and I did the bookstores including several very good used book stores plus, of course, Kaufman's Streamborn, the excellent fly fishing shop.

But we came for the ball game and, it was great. Safeco Field is the perfect ballpark, 331 down the foul lines and 388 to deep center. We were both lucky and unlucky - they retracted the dome for us because it looked like good weather and we could see just what a great daytime park it is. Unfortunately, rain threatened and they put the roof back on but even then the north of the park remains open and you can see the city of Seattle.

The stadium holds about 45,000 - it can be stretched to 47,500 - which is perfect for a baseball game.

The game itself was a pitchers duel with the Yankees winning 1-0 on a four hitter with poor old Garcia for the Mariners losing a 3 hitter. The great features were several wonderful plays in the infield and two unbelievable catches in the outfield, on by Ken Griffey Jr who, being the town hero, brought the crowd to its feet for a long standing "o". (Did you know that Ken Griffey Sr and Ken Griffey Jr once hit back to back homers? You could look it up!)

The best part of baseball is the crowd. There is none of the anger which so typifies the Football and Hockey crowds. There is no aggressiveness or nastiness. And the guys and gals bringing the food and beer are shows in themselves.

It's quite a year for sports stadia in Seattle. The old Kingdome is about to be imploded and a brand new park for the Seahawks will be right along side Safeco Field (the Seahawks will play in Husky Stadium next Fall as the new field is built.)

It was a great weekend. You can have your football and Hockey ... and your soccer and all other games ruled by the clock. After all's said and done they take as long to play as a baseball game. As for Wendy (who cheers for the Yankees would you believe) and me it's "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" especially if its Safeco Field in Seattle and Jr's playing center field.