Covid sport

When Megan and Ben offered us a late week offer to go to the baseball and stay in Hollywood for the night ,we thought . Why not ? It’s been 4 years since we last saw a game and this might give a different perspective of what I saw the 1st time . With covid restrictions socially distancing to seating and capacity less than half full it definitely should be more comfortable. Last time I was impressed with the whole hearted attempt to entertain the crowd but geez they needed to as the game as a live spectacle was a kin to watching house painters sand down weather boards . It didn’t help that the Dodgers lost 3-0 . For me baseball is definitely a tv sport . Saturday’s game was definitely more entertaining . An 11-6 scoreline ( a loss to the Giants ) and some 24 combined hits did provide a whole lot more to focus on but still this game is a hard watch live . A full crowd would’ve helped . I guess as a Melburnian and an avid AFL spectator I’ve been spoilt when it comes to live sport .

Fortunately for us Ben and Megan know their shit when it comes to booking stuff . VIP parking put us only 40 metres from the gate which pretty much led straight down to our seats . Dodger Stadium ,also known as the Ravine is pretty much a drive in only venue . It’s not dissimilar to the old Waverley park . The Stadium itself has a grand feel about it but I couldn’t help but notice it feels like a 70s facility with makeup on . It’s not really a modern day stadium built around spectator comforts . The criticism isn’t meant to be harsh , as everything about the place is more than adequate . It’s true to LA style …..70s and “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke .”

To all those that complain about the price of food and drink at AFL games …look away

I didn’t fancy paying $16 for a steak sandwich , which by the way is more like a burger . A hotdog and fries will do it and I must say the dodger dog was pretty bloody good . I was more than happy to finish of Leroy’s half eaten version . I am not a hot dog person at all , especially the dogs I’ve had here . They have been bloody horrible , but the Dodger dog had no complaints.

Alcohol …. didn’t bother . I did declare that I’d id drive back from the game if any of Emma , Megan and Ben would like to drink . The prices made sure that I didn’t have to worry about navigating Megan’s car through nighttime LA traffic back to our hotel room . Ben would be sober enough

All and all it was a good day . After 4 years my knowledge and appreciation of baseball is vastly greater . You do see how fast and powerful these athletes are and fuck do they hit the ball long and hard . We’ve seen 2 games now and unfortunately both have been losses to the arch enemy the San Francisco Giants . One day we’d like to return the favour and take our US friends to a big game of footy in Melbourne . Then they would really see a sporting spectacle .