MLB Opening Week Around the Corner - Call for Questions

'Duk of Big League Stew knows the deal

Baseball’s sort-of-opening day is six days away, though it seems like Major League Baseball is whispering its return rather than roaring itself into the American psyche these days. There are plenty of reasons for that, but that’s another post for another day. Yes, friends, basketball has the spotlight right now, but it’s probably a good time to start thinking about WARP, “I can’t stand ____________” and those delightful crab fries you get at Citizens’ Bank Park in Philly.


So, what are you fine people keeping an eye on this season? Many readers here cheer for the more popular teams like the Red Sox, Yankees and Cubs, so your fandom has partially answered the question. However, there have to GOT be other teams, individuals and story lines that you’re intrigued by.

Consider this a call for questions, comments, and suggestions about baseball. While you may be inclined to think of what’s happening on the field, feel free to ask anything in relation to the business and culture of the game as well. Keep in mind, baseball’s CBA is set to expire at season’s end, Bud Selig is supposed to retire in 2012 and Scribe is begging to visit a ballpark or two this summer.

Send them this way through Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or even good ol’ email [asportsscribe DOT gmail DOT com]. In response, throughout next week, you’ll see a few dedicated posts. To keep things interesting, some will feature conversations with well-respected media (bloggers, mainstream & alternative press) and if they’re no inebriated, some random people on the street.

In the meantime, here’s a gift from the online video gods & goddesses.

Sparkling (III)

Because the Yankees aren't the only team in town waiting for new digs.

Here's a slideshow of the ongoing contruction of CitiField, the future home of the Mets.

In a lot of ways, it reminds me of Citizens' Bank Park in Philadelphia (see Brotherly) in terms of its facade. However, because it is modeled after Ebbets Field, it will have a distinct mix of old-time baseball with modern amenities. More notes on these pictures tomorrow.

If the slideshow does not upload.

Brotherly

First of all, an extended thank you to a few friends.

Many thanks to Jamaal Bailey, Andre McFadden and Kwame Baird for the company, vehicle, additional pictures and consistent flow of jokes throughout our trek this past weekend. My hopes are that these gents will add their thoughts and pictures to this blog as they not only had a better camera, but have several interesting observations to add to Scribe.

Secondly, what you see below are pictures of our visit to the City of Brotherly Love for Sunday's Chicago Cubs-Philadelphia Phillies finale. After our trip to the nation's capital in September, we decided to take a few more excursions for a mini-baseball park tour. Until the major league teams in New York finally join the new ballpark party (at least a decade too late, in my opinion), the only new venues that you could visit east of Philadelphia are the minor league parks in Brooklyn and Staten Island or fuel up the gas tank for a road trip.

Citizens' Bank Park is a wonderful place to watch a game. In some ways, you may think of it as a extremely large minor league park; the field of play is visible from all angles and the seating arrangements are no frills. The luxury boxes don't scream affluence and the cheap seats don't feel very cheap. The sightlines of the park give the intimate feel for fans that team owners have clamored for with their new venues. Most of all, the Phillies (and the taxpayers) built a park that would be open in the literal and figurative sense.



The team sacrificed much of the indoor space of a traditional ballpark for an atmosphere that may remind you of a county fair or carnival. Once you leave your seat, there are tons of food and drink options in front of you at all levels. Even with the ever-rising ballpark prices, the options between a traditional hot dog, a hometown Philly Cheesesteak or Chickie and Pete's crab fries give you more bang for your buck.

While online waiting for a cheesesteak, we spoke with one of the fans - who was kind enough to offer us some of those fries (seeming not Philly-like) about the park itself. He made a great point about all of the park's amenities being available to everyone, regardless of income. Essentially, it may cost you something to get to a game, but once you are inside, you get a grander experience than just watching the game. At any spot in the stadium, you can see an unobstructed view of the field, mostly because of the open outfield. You can check out some of the team's history through Ashburn Alley or you can participate in a few of the games created for fans. There's even a ginormous barbeque grill on one end of the stadium.

You're waiting for "all of this and so much more", aren't you?

Well, go check it out.