Great America Ballpark #26
Great America Ballpark #26
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Tuesday, 8/14/12, 9:00am. Not exactly a banner vacation day, but vacation nonetheless. The day started with a 90 minute laundry drill while the boys noshed on a room service lunch. We walked south on Peachtree Avenue to Five Points and Underground Atlanta. After scoring a NewEra Braves hat for Peter, we walked back to the hotel with a stop for a King Smoothie. A quick swim in the Marriott “spool” (spa + pool), we packed up the room and taxied down 85/75 to ATL Domestic.
7pm. We drew gate A07 and “chillaxed” in the Sky Club waiting for boarding time. Our flight effortlessly delivered us to CVG on time. Twenty five minutes later, we were at the front door of the Marriott at RiverCenter in Covington, KY. The boys explored the hotel, we dined at the lobby bar and hit the sack by 11pm.
Wednesday, 8/15/12. 11:30am. Not sure how this happened, but we all slept past 10:30. That’s probably the combination of an “on vacation” mindset, a “do not disturb” door hanger, and a cooperative, quiet hotel. Forgoing lunch, we went over to Newport Landing, KY for the 1pm showing of Batman, Dark Knight. As a party of three, we were 50% of the audience. After the movie, we had a nice meal at Mitchell’s Fish Market.
5pm. We taxied back to the hotel, and set out on foot across the Ohio River via the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, crossing from Kentucky into Ohio. We were at the front gates of Great American Ball Park just before opening time. The park is a beautiful new construction sandwiched between the Ohio River and tall buildings of downtown Cincinnati. The Reds are currently atop the standings in the NL Central and general mood the fans reflects this position. During batting practice, they play the last two outs of Felix Hernandez’s Perfect Game attempt, live from Seattle, on the big screen. In the entire history of baseball, a perfect game consisting of 27 consecutive batters resulting in 27 consecutive outs (no walks, no hits) has occurred only 23 times.
Our seats are first row, by the right field foul pole. Expecting a foul ball at any moment, the boys keep their gloves at the ready, however, nothing comes our way. The game is mostly an exciting pitcher’s duel until R.A. Dickey unravels a bit giving up back to back homers in the bottom of the 4th inning. Mets 1, Reds 6.
Baseball Trip 2012