Poll: What kind of fan are you at baseball games?

In My Humble Opinion
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1) How often do you attend a game?
major leagues: once or twice a season
minor leagues: 5 or 6 times a season

2) When did you last go to a game?
major leagues: last July
minor leagues: can’t remember for sure, but before that

3) How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game?
major leagues: usually half an hour early or so
minor leagues: usually 15 minutes early to 15 minutes late (very traffic dependent)

4) Do you stay for the entire game?
depends on a lot of things, but almost always

5) Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself?
yes, of course

6) How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest?
2-3 times

7) Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason?
Yes. Major leagues: the Braves, in part because they’re closest to my hometown (Columbia, SC), in part because when I was growing up they were my mom’s favorite, and in part because I grew up watching television and they were the easiest to keep up with. Minor leagues: the Knights, because they are my hometown team.

8) If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game?
Absolutely. Saw them lose in Florida in 2003 and saw them win in Pittsburgh in 2004. Intend to see them play in every major league park before I die.

9) Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball?
Yes and no. The true answer to the question is “Yes, in the way that you mean it,” but also “No” because I was my high school team’s manager for about half a season simply and solely because I wanted to letter in baseball, but I didn’t care anything about the game at that point in my life (and thus every game qualified as being between two teams that I didn’t care about) and quit to be able to spend more time with my girlfriend who dumped me not long thereafter.

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That’s 1-6 times per season, of course. :smack:

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Which one? There were two consecutive games that fit the bill. Both games had Rafael Furcal (first game as DH, second game as starting shortstop) for the 66ers, and in the first game, Bartolo Colon pitched (that’s the game I went to) and I believe Jared Weaver pitched the second game. I was in Super Section 5 (I think…it was the section just to the right of Section 1, if you’re facing home plate) about 5 or 6 rows back, hanging with my nephew and father-in-law. And wearing my Dodger gear, of course. :slight_smile:

By including the Giants on that list, your answers are automatically invalidated. :smiley:

But seriously, you should start the thread – it’s an interesting question.

I wish I’d thought of it. I don’t really know how to do it, although I’ve read up on it a couple of times. I just don’t think I’d have the patience. What I really wish is that there was some place where an “official” game scorecard for all Major League games was kept online. I was looking for that the other day and didn’t find it.

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Duh, by “them,” of course, I mean the Braves. I confess that while I love the Knights enough to buy season tickets if they ever come back to Charlotte, I don’t love them enough to travel to see them play.

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I was at Weaver’s game, and sitting about 12 feet to the left of you. :smiley:

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  1. I probably go to a dozen or two games a year.
  2. The 7th
  3. I get there as early as possible. Half an hour before first pitch, minimum. What am I, a Dodger fan?
  4. Absolutely, and I have the Croix de Candlesticks to prove it.
  5. Never gone by myself, though I wouldn’t be against it.
  6. Once, if that. Usually before the game. I don’t like missing anything, and I don’t particularly like drinking at games.
  7. Born & raised in San Francisco, born & raised a Giants fan.
  8. I’ve seen them play in Oakland & LA. I’ve never done much traveling until recently, and I’ve been checking to see when the Giants go to the cities I’m thinking of visiting.
  9. I usually don’t, because I think rooting for someone is at the heart of sports. I can certainly appreciate a well-turned double play no matter who turns it, but it’s not the same without pumping a fist and going “YEAH!” as it happens.
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Oh yeah?! Well…

Nah, I got nothin’. Dodger fans suck pretty badly when it comes to arriving or leaving on time. I don’t get it.

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  1. How often do you attend a game? Maybe once a year
  2. When did you last go to a game? Last May
  3. How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game? I try to get there as close to game time as possible, err on the side of early, but I don’t t
  4. Do you stay for the entire game?
  5. Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself?
  6. How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest?
  7. Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason?
  8. If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game?
  9. Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball?
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  1. How often do you attend a game? Maybe once a year
  2. When did you last go to a game? Last May
  3. How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game? I try to get there as close to game time as possible, err on the side of early, but I don’t try to make BP or anything
  4. Do you stay for the entire game? Yes
  5. Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself? Yes
  6. How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest? Usually never
  7. Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason? Yes, it’s the Royals, and it’s because I picked them in a baseball pool. This was back when they were still good, and once I started rooting for them, I never looked back.
  8. If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game? N/A. But I have made a point of visting Kauffman Stadium when my travels took me near Kansas City
  9. Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball? Yes. Once I went to a Mets/Marlins game just because it was a sunny Sunday. During “extended spring training” of April 1995, I went to a minor league game. And I saw the Orioles play the Indians in Baltimore because I wanted to experience what everyone loved so much about Camden Yards. (For the record, I didn’t think it was as nice as Kauffman, and it’s not my Royals-fan bias that leads me to say it.)

For the most part, I quit going to games in Yankee Stadium (which is usually the only place I can see the Royals) when the price for even the worst non-bleacher seats just got too high. I’ve taken my son to a few Met games; he likes the Mets, and doesn’t care that the games he’s seeing are against cheap opponents.

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Oh, an addition to my answer to that last question - I also went to see a Yankees-Red Sox playoff game, thanks to SDMB friend zev_steinhardt getting a free pair of tickets.

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I thought this was going to be about how much we yell during games. :smiley:

1) How often do you attend a game?
Until this season, I hardly ever attended games. But this year my boyfriend and I have full season tickets (Washington Nationals), and I’ve been to 12 games since April 2nd.

2) When did you last go to a game?
Last night. And I’ll be going again tonight, if it stops raining.

3) How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game?
It’s hard to arrive on time for weeknight games, but we’re always in our seats by the bottom of the 1st. On weekends we aim to be there in time for the national anthem, and we usually make it.

4) Do you stay for the entire game?
Yes. So far the only game I’ve left early was this past Saturday’s, about 1.5 hours into a 3-hour rain delay.

5) Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself?
I never have. I might go to a Yankees game by myself, if it was a big game, but I’d rather not – and I can’t imagine going to a Nats game by myself. Part of the point of going to the game instead of watching it on TV is to be there with someone!

6) How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest?
Just once. We each get a bottle of water and a hot dog/pretzel from a street vendor outside the stadium, and then during the 4th or 5th inning we’ll get food.

7) Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason?
I’m a Yankees fan first and foremost; have been since I was a kid. A lot of my family is in/from NY and its Jersey suburbs, and my favorite uncle is a huge Yankees fan who influenced me a lot. This year I’m also a Nats fan, and I don’t really care if there’s a conflict or if it makes me less of a Yankess fan or what have you. I was living here when the Nats came to town, so I sort of consider them to be my hometown team, and I think it’s totally possible to root for them and the Yankees. :slight_smile:

8) If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game?
No – not yet, anyway. Most of the Yankees games I’ve been to were in Yankee Stadium, and the others didn’t involve travel. I haven’t been to an away Nats game.

9) Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball?
Yep, just last summer.

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  1. How often do you attend a game? 5-10 times per season
  2. When did you last go to a game? April 16, 2007, Chicago @ Cleveland. I’ve got tickets for tonight’s Twins at Cleveland game but it looks like rain right now.
  3. How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game? Generally right around that they play the National Anthem.
  4. Do you stay for the entire game? Of course.
  5. Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself? Yes, many times.
  6. How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest? 1-2.
  7. Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason? Yes to both. Cleveland
  8. If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game? Yes. I’ve seen the Indians play in Anaheim, Toronto, Chicago and New York City.
  9. Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball? Yes. I went to San Juan PR when the Montreal Expos played some home games there. I’ve seen the Cubs play the Mets in Chicago the Braves play the Reds in Cincinnati, the Phillies play at the Pirates, and several others I can’t recall right now. I enjoy going to games wherever I visit. I enjoy minor league games too!
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So, how much do you yell during games? :slight_smile:

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[QUOTE=Asimovian]
I’d like to get answers to the following questions from those who have attended professional baseball games:
*

  1. How often do you attend a game?*
    At least 15-18 a year. Not counting 2-3 minor league games, and 2-3 spring training games a year.
  2. When did you last go to a game?
    Last Friday night - Sox - Royals. And, oh Jim , I’m planning to be there tomorrow to see the Sox take down the yanks again! :wink:
  1. How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game?*
    Usually, an hour so. The Bullpen bar is downstairs underneath the RF bleachers, it’s nifty sports bar, and a good place to watch the opposing pitchers warm up.
  1. Do you stay for the entire game?*
    Shame on you for even asking. Yes.
    5) Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself?
    A few times, and not to sound cliche, but it’s easy to make friends at the park, rooting for your team.
    6) How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest?
    Food, maybe once. The grilled kosher dogs are what makes a game, a game.
    7) Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason?
    White Sox. They just always have been. I was born in, and raised around Chicago, and never took the cubbies seriously.
    8) If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game?
    Many times. My daughter spent two years attending a college near Cleveland, I think we saw them there 3-4 times, I’ve been to Detroit, Minnesota, Wrigley (it counts as away), and Anaheim.
    9) Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball?
    Several times.
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  1. How often do you attend a game?*
    At least 15-18 a year. Not counting 2-3 minor league games, and 2-3 spring training games a year.
  2. When did you last go to a game?
    Last Friday night - Sox - Royals. And, oh Jim , I’m planning to be there tomorrow to see the Sox take down the Yankees again! :wink:
  1. How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game?*
    Usually, an hour so. The Bullpen bar is downstairs underneath the RF bleachers, it’s nifty sports bar, and a good place to watch the opposing pitchers warm up.
  1. Do you stay for the entire game?*
    Shame on you for even asking. Yes.
    5) Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself?
    A few times, and not to sound cliche, but it’s easy to make friends at the park, rooting for your team.
    6) How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest?
    Food, maybe once. The grilled kosher dogs are what makes a game, a game.
    7) Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason?
    White Sox. They just always have been. I was born in, and raised around Chicago, and never took the cubbies seriously.
    8) If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game?
    Many times. My daughter spent two years attending a college near Cleveland, I think we saw them there 3-4 times, I’ve been to Detroit, Minnesota, Wrigley (it counts as away), and Anaheim.
    9) Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball?
    Several times.
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Lots. My wife says I’m the reason they cut off beer sales after the 7th inning.

That’s an advantage at a minor league park: The ump can hear me loud and clear. :smiley:

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  1. How often do you attend a game?
    I’m a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and, in the AAA minors, the Indianapolis Indians. I get to 3 or 4 Cards games a year, and 7 to 15 Indians games.

  2. When did you last go to a game?
    Last Saturday, at Victory Field in Indy.

  3. How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game?
    At Indy, right at game time, sometimes hearing the national anthem from outside the park. Did you know the ticket takers stop during the anthem? For a Cards game, I’m usually early.

  4. Do you stay for the entire game?
    For the Cards, almost always. In Indy, if the game gets out of hand, we’re gone.

  5. Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself?
    Never have, maybe I will sometime.

  6. How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest?
    Once, usually, for food. For beer, there’s the wandering beerman.

  7. Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason?
    For Indy, it’s close. For St. Louis, I really can’t remember.

  8. If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game?
    The first Cards games we went to were in California. I had won free airfare anywhere in the US, so we flew to Los Angeles to see LA, and to see the Cards play the Dodgers. Then we drove down the coast to see San Diego, and watch the Cards play the Padres. We’ve also gone to see some Cards at Reds games

  9. Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball?
    I saw the Tigers play the Yankees once in Detroit. When Dad lived in Bradenton, Florida, I saw a few spring training Pirates games at Bradenton. Before I became a Cardinals fan, Dad took me to some Reds games. I’ve seen games in 3 different Cincinnati Reds ballparks; Crosley, Riverfront, and Great American.

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  1. How often do you attend a game?
    5 to 15 times a year.

  2. When did you last go to a game?
    Phillies home opener.

  3. How early or late do you arrive at the ballpark for a game?
    Usually arrive about 30 - 45 minutes early.

  4. Do you stay for the entire game?
    Yes, with rare exceptions. If you leave when your team is getting blown out, you run the risk of missing a spectacular comeback.

  5. Have you ever gone, or would you ever go, to a game by yourself?
    Have not, but I suppose I might.

  6. How many times, on average, do you hit the concession stands during the contest?
    Once, usually. The beer guy walking down the aisle doesn’t count, right?

  7. Do you have a favorite team? If so, are they your team because of your hometown, or for some other reason?
    The Fightin’ Phils, because that’s where I’m from. Because they’re ours.

  8. If yes to #7, have you ever traveled to see your team play an “away” game?
    No, though I have seen games in several other stadiums.

  9. Have you ever gone to watch two teams play that you didn’t care about just because you enjoy watching baseball?
    Yes.

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Since a few folks have brought it up, I just want to clarify something. I asked about going to the concession stands because it’s something that takes away from your viewing of the game. So going before the game doesn’t count, nor does getting food from a roving vendor. I meant to ask how often you leave your seat in the middle of the game to go up to the concession areas.

Carry on. :slight_smile:

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Dodger Stadium has TVs next to every concession stand, and Vin is announcing on them. Not a problem.