THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 21, 1995 TAG: 9506210682
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
My qualifications as a baseball grump have been severely damaged this year by a case of bad timing.
Twice I've visited Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Twice the place was packed to the rafters.
Baseball in trouble? I've read about it in all the papers. Then I go to Baltimore and 46,817 show up as if nothing has changed.
My second game of the season at Oriole Park is different from the first. This time I arrive as a paying customer, thereby forfeiting my amateur standing. Paid a blood relation $40 for two tickets: section 50, field box, row HH, seats 3 and 4. Translation: Eight rows behind the New York Yankees' dugout.
I've heard about bitter fans who have been alienated by the owners and players. I don't see them this night. All around me are laughing, smiling people happy for the chance to watch the two teams with the worst records in the American League East.
People who pay $20 for tickets, or who have friends or business associates who own field boxes, can afford to laugh, even at the concession stands, where beers start at $3.50, and Italian sausages and crab cake sandwiches are available to anyone who remembers to bring a co-signer.
Teams get away with holding up their fans this way because food and drink are important ingredients to the enjoyment of a live ballgame, probably as important as anything that takes place on the field.
Between bites and sips, the glacial pace of baseball also allows for a good bit of socializing. Encourages it, really.
The soundtrack of a shared ballpark experience is relaxed spectator chitchat.
``When are they going to put Hammonds in one place in the batting order and leave him there?'' asked an impatient fan to my left.
``Doesn't Rex Barney sound great on the P.A.?,'' said a voice over my right shoulder. ``He had a mild heart attack, you know.''
``Can you explain what a fielder's choice is?''
``How does Alexander hit from that stance?
``He hit a home run last homestand.''
``Yeah, off the foul pole.''
``The fair pole. It's actually the fair pole.''
The game is a socializing event. It is a night out. People can enjoy the ambience of the ballpark without being emotionally tied to the game.
``The Beltway Bandits are all here tonight,'' said a voice to my right.
Beltway Bandits?
``Consultants from D.C.,'' he explained.
How can you identify a Beltway Bandit?
``They cheer like they're at the Kennedy Center.''
Most of the fans in the field boxes are fairly sedate. Their day will not be ruined or made by the final score. They are looking for a pleasant ballpark experience. The banter is all part of the fun.
``Manto runs like me. My legs are not for transportation. They're for balancing on a bar stool so I don't fall off.''
``I don't like loud music at ball games. Ballparks should only play organ music.''
``Look at that damn Bird. I hate mascots. What's he doing on top of the dugout in a close game?''
``The Orioles' last three pitchers have been Clark, Lee and Jones,'' someone points out. ``Reads like the register at a cheap motel.''
Moments later, the Yankees grounded into a game-ending double play. Along with almost everybody else in section 50, I turn and race up the stairs to the exit.
Baseball in trouble? In Baltimore, the big problem is still beating the crowd out of the parking lot. by CNB