Boomer Sooner

Well, I lied. But just a little. I didn't go to the first home Duck game of the year against Long Beach State because, honestly, I was much too busy with work and life. However, last Saturday, I made it out to PK Park to watch the Ducks play host to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Nike College Showcase.

I had worked all day, so I was anxious to get to the ballpark and sit in my seat and relax. However, I was surprised at the revised entry procedures. It used to be I could flash my old UO Student ID at the gate and get in for free. Now, the Athletic Department scans all the ID cards to see if people really are students. Maybe a lot of people were taking advantage of the system like I was. Since I'm not a student, my ID didn't allow me to go through the gate, meaning I had to buy a ticket for the game.

That was when the real rip-off occurred. I paid $14 for a ticket. Couple that with the $3 for parking, and it comes out to be a hefty amount of cash before you even buy a hot dog. Sure, I know Oklahoma is a good team and a highly visible opponent, but paying that much just to get in is like highway robbery.  Heck, I can get cheaper tickets to see a lot of MLB teams.

That $14 did get me a seat behind home plate, but the netting is so thick at PK Park that it is hard to see. I thought about moving, but the netting extends all the way down the base lines past the bag meaning every single seat is behind the net. If you want an un-obstructed view, you have to go past the baselines to the picnic areas, but those are just too far away from the action for my taste.

Being in mid-March, it was a chilly evening for baseball. I bundled up in my letterman's jacket and kept my hands around those hand-warmer packets for the majority of the game. With temperatures hovering around the upper-40's, I was thankful to have prepared the way I did.

Oklahoma scored two runs in the seventh to wrest a lead away from Oregon and walk away with a 3-2 victory. Oregon did leave the tying run on third in the bottom of the ninth.

I have written in my past blogs about PK Park and the flaws it has. However, as much as I like baseball, I am not willing to spend $14 plus parking to go see a game. If I get free tickets or something, sure I'll go see the Ducks play. But other than that, I don't think I'll be going to any more Duck games. The way I see it, I can save that money for the more exotic Baseball Road Trips I'm planning for later on in the season.

If there is to be a silver-lining to the first Duck game, it made me remember just how much I love baseball and how long it has been since I've gone to a game. Besides the few Ems games I went to last year, my last professional baseball game was June 2011 down in San Diego. Suffice to say, it has been a long time since I've watched a game.

Baseball Road Trips for the season are coming together really well. For the three trips I have already planned, I have travel to and from all taken care of. There are some logistics to take care of when it comes to lodging and transportation when I am at the destination, but really I am just sitting on my hands waiting for the days to come when I board the plane or train.

I have a little extra money around, so I might add another Road Trip in July. I'm not really sure where to go, and I have been scouring the discount airline websites for ideas, but nothing has really stood out in my mind. I'll keep my eyes out for something and, whatever happens, I'll be sure to let all of you know.

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)