Sunday Afternoon at the Ballpark

There's just something about being at the ballpark, even if it's to watch the once mighty, but currently hapless Seattle Mariners. And here's another thing I don't mind doing: going alone. Particularly if it's on a nice Sunday afternoon when I can take the Sounder train to and from the game. Here are some reasons why:

The Sounder Train: All Aboard to Safeco Field

1. You can walk around the entire perimeter of the first level of Safeco Field and see the game. Camp behind the plate for a while? No problem. Like the view from center field? Can do.

2. There are lots of things to see there besides baseball, and you can do it on your own schedule without worrying that whoever you're with is disinterested. I like to check out all of the different items on the menu, even though due to calorie counting and price I rarely buy the stuff. There's also a nice little "museum" tucked away with artifacts from years gone by, including items associated with the Seattle Rainiers and Seattle Pilots.

3. My grandfather is there. Well, not really. But when they were building Safeco Field in the 1990s, my mother and I bought a commemorative brick with the name "Walter E. Nygren" engraved on it. He's next to the Mariner bullpen and it's a fitting tribute to the memory of one of the great sports fans of all time.

The Brick: A Tribute to My Grandfather

4. Boring game? There's no ten-run rule in the majors so if it's a blowout the game goes on and on and on. I can and have felt free to simply up and leave. Killing time at Uwajimaya in the International District while waiting for the train (which departs 40 minutes after the game ends) is always a good idea.

Last Sunday, in fact, worked out quite nicely. The trains ran on time (Mussolini would have been proud even though he never really did make the trains run on time), it was a reasonably nice day, the rolling carport roof of Safeco Field was open, and it was a well-played game.

A glimpse of the Safeco Field "Museum"

I find it interesting to watch the ebb and flow of what goes on there. And I'm not just talking about the third base coach signaling the batter to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Thousands of conversations are taking place amongst the fans. Vendors are in motion trying to earn a buck and tossing bags of peanuts around like beanbags. Alcohol enforcement workers are on the move. A baseball stadium is simply a great place to walk around and observe.

A great day to hang out in the outfield bleachers

Oh yeah, the score was Seattle 3 and Kansas City 2. But who really cares in the big scheme of things?