Days 49 & 50, Cooperstown, Rhode Island & NYC, The Finale

The very cool town I wake up in is Cooperstown, NY, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. I wish I could say the hotel I wake up in- the Red Carpet Inn- is very cool too, but that would be a lie. Don't get me wrong, the Inn tries, but ultimately loses me with the fruit fly convention and long blond hairs on the sink that clearly are not mine. But heck, I'm not hear to take a long bath or to write a review for a travel magazine, I'm here to see history. The Red Carpet Inn scores big in two important categories, however: proximity to the HOF (about 3 miles) and cost (approximately $60). I've been to the Hall twice before but not at the end of an amazing trip to 30 ballparks and certainly not since the most recent Yankee dynasty. The Hall is loaded with Yankee artifacts (big surprise) with one of my favorites being the original bill of sale of Babe Ruth when he was sold to the Yankees by the Red Sox for about 25 grand. This deal comes in a CLOSE second to trading Manhattan for a couple of strands of beads in the all-time 'worst trades' category. The HOF also has an exhibit on stadiums and fans which I find quite interesting, especially the exhibit highlighting trips just like mine done by other fans! (mine is cooler, of course, because I did it twice AND drove an amazing Jeep both times). I get suckered in to becoming a Hall of Fame member by a very nice women at the gift shop and part with even more money and get more things in return that I will both never read or use. Other highlights will visiting the Hall include having AMEX call me to tell me they "like how I handle my card (i.e. use it A LOT) and want to upgrade me to a platinum membership, posing for a picture with a Yankee 'holy cow', seeing Babe Ruth's 60th HR ball and having an amazing cajun cheddar burger at the Triple Play luncheonette before skipping town. I leave about 2:30 as I have semi-ambitious plans to catch Yankees/Red Sox at Fenway, which is a four hour drive. Rain threatens to wash away the whole weekend, but I figure it would be a great way to close the trip if I can pull it off. The rain comes down hard as I travel on the back roads and then eventually Route 90 towards Boston. I decide the game in this weather will not be fun and head for Westerly, Rhode Island instead to pick up my little buddy Sammy, the Pomeranian. My friends- Janell and Drew- are glad to see me and to also give me back my 14 pound garbage disposal who has eaten nearly everything in their apartment over the last 7 weeks. We have dinner at the 99 Grill (something like that) where the waitress, Justine, takes great interest in both my camera and some of the stories she overhears me telling Janell and Drew. We catch the end of the Yankees 19-8 blow out of the Sox and I fall asleep about 1:00. I'm up by 7:00 on Saturday and on the road by 8:00. I'm back in New York by 10:30 and am happy that I have officially made it. I have just enough time to drop Sammy off at the dog sitter and make it to Rye, New York where I am scheduled to film a wedding. (Photo with thumb up). The trip is finally over. Done. Kaput. Complete. Quite frankly, when I left, I was not so sure I would finish. I had no time to reschedule rain-outs, no back-up plan if the very old Jeep broke down, no spare key if I lost or broke the key and no idea if I would have either the stamina or interest to finish the trip a second time. Well, I did. And I had a hell of a time doing it. I met a lot of amazing people at the ballparks and other places. I filmed a lot of great stuff and unique people that I hope will make an enjoyable movie. No matter what happens, thanks for reading and thanks for riding along. Please keep in touch and pester me often so that "Twice in Lifetime" will be in theaters near you sooner rather than later! I will try to get something up on here every week or so with updates on book/movie progress and/or any other exciting developments in my rather mundane normal life. Stay tuned! Tim..... PS, if you've been reading regularly, please shoot me an e-mail to the address above as it's hard for me to track and I would love to hear from you!

Days 47 & 48; Toronto & Beyond: September 24 & 25

The journey continues.... I hoped that I could end the blog with the last game of the 30 ballpark adventure, but there is still more work to do. I have to get back to New York to REALLY make this official. Not to mention that some of my readers sent me angry e-mails when their daily trip to ballparktag.com left them with the same story as yesterday. I will get you a few more days of this thing as I still have a few things up my sleeve. And for the hardcore readers, I will try to publish at least one post a week about whatever problems (mostly) and successes (hopefully a few) I encounter on a daily and weekly basis in my "normal life" if in NYC. Waking up yesterday was not easy. I could have slept all day with all the traveling and running around I have been doing, but Dave makes me get up to go to his Digital Dreams Photo/Video Studio in Toronto. A highlight is meeting Junior Feather World Champion, Steve "The Canadian Kid" Molitor, who is at the studio filming a commercial. "You're a big dude," he says to me. "Do you box?" I call the Blue Jays media relations to tell them of my trip and ask for a free ticket to the night's game. They tell me they will leave a ticket at will call for me. Before the game, I pick up a few pieces of poster board and a very fat, black magic marker to make up some signs. (See photo) Clearly Picasso is not worried that my art will one day send his to the toilet. My seat is great but I move down to the first row where I sit for most of the game. Highlights include talking to Yankee pitcher Phil Coke (pictured), getting great photos of the Yankees, not having to interview anyone for the documentary and drinking two $10 Bud Lights. Phil Hughes out-pitches A.J. Burnett (double wow!) and the Yanks win courtesy of a grand slam in the 10th inning by Bobby Abreu. Without a working GPS, I take a good hour to get back to Jason and Dave's house and am asleep by 1:00. I'm up by 6:30, though, as I have a LONG day ahead! I stop in Niagra Falls first thing for some photos and mist. It's a good way to end my stay in Canada, but I'm pissed that it takes almost a half hour to find the bridge to get out of Canada! The way the signs are set up I feel like the Canadians are trying to steal Americans by making it impossible for them to find their way home. Once I finally cross the bridge (with my duty free booze safely in hand), I cruise on 90 East with the goal to get to Cornell to visit my cousin, Erin, a freshman. I meet Erin about 2:00 and we find a reasonable restaurant for lunch. I drop her off at class and then venture to the bookstore to buy some boxers as I have just run out of clean underwear. The $18 boxers are not what the doctor ordered, but I buy them anyway. The very helpful girls at checkout insist that they are high quality and worth the price. I get suckered in by a fraternity to play their version of a "Price is Right" game, in which I climb a ladder and drop whiffle balls. Although they are impressed with my high score, all I walk away with is a 50 cent bag of M & Ms. I hope my $3 goes to a worthy cause. I drive three hours east where I settle in at a very dodgy motel in a VERY cool town, that I will keep secret until the next post!

Day 46; The Rogers Centre, Toronto; September 23

So you actually thought I wasn't going to make it to all 30? Fat chance! Of course it is all not roses and ice cream getting to Toronto from Baltimore. I wake up in Baltimore about 7:00 and have a 9:00 flight to Detroit, where my car is presumably parked at the airport. Instead of spending the $40 on a shuttle, I opt for the Baltimore light rail, which is a cool $1.60 a ride. I wait close to a half hour for the right train which arrives at 8:!5. Again, my flight is at 9:00. Is anyone actually surprised that this is how my last day will go? If you are surprised, please reread blog from the start and/or get your sanity checked by a professional. I arrive at the airport at 8:35 and race through the terminal as fast as I possibly can. It does not help that Southwest is as far away as humanly possible from where the train lets me off. Miraculously there is no line at security so I get through in under 5 minutes. As I ride the people mover I realize that my rolling suitcase is still at security. I run the wrong way on the people mover- moving surprised people out of my way physically- and pick up my very angry bag. I get to the gate at 8:45 and they are just boarding. Thank God this is my last flight! I am in Detroit by 10:30 and at my car by 10:45. I turn the key and the Jeep starts! I assumed it would not as this is the last day and I do want to get to Toronto, but it comes through for me AGAIN! My next fear is crossing the border. I have so much crap in the car it looks like I'm moving to Canada. I decide to take the tunnel instead of the bridge. This route takes me past the casinos in Detroit. "Just one hour of blackjack," I think to myself... I pass because I assume my car will be stripped bare once exiting the casino. I gas up right behind Comerica Park ironically. There is a Subway in the gas station with bullet proof freaking glass in front of the sandwich makers! Only in Detroit people, only in Detroit! The customs agent asks me some questions and I answer them at about 75% truth. "You say live in NYC but your license says NJ? You have a knife in the car? Is it a switchblade? Are you planning to work in Canada? Why do you have eight bags of stuff in your backseat?" The list goes on, but she lets me in without checking the car! I cruise up 401 East toward Toronto and enjoy all the signs the government has on the side of the road to warn you not to do anything bad. "Do not speed--or else. Do not fall asleep-- or else. Do not drink and drive- or else." French and English. I stop for lunch at Mr. Sub- a famed Canadian chain and home to the world's greatest sub. I am in Toronto by 5:00 but because of wrong turns and traffic, I do not get to the Stadium until after 6:00. I interview some locals and keep my eye out for tickets. I need three as I'm meeting my friends- Dave and Jason. The game is against the Yankees (yeah!) but tickets are plentiful. A scalper offers to sell me 3 behind the dugout for $50 and I offer him $40. He is not happy. "Why don't you bend me over first, reach around grab my t--s, and f--k me in the ?!? while you are at it! And Jeter sucks you a--hole!" That is the G-Rated version of what he says. Everyone stops and watches us. I walk away and buy 3 for a much better deal from some regular fans. The scalper is probably still yelling. Our seats are great and I am in. It's official! I wanted to get to all 30 parks and I have done it! I order some nachos and a beer. It's kind of cool to finish in Toronto as it's also where I finished when I did the trip 10 years ago. The Yankees are in a fierce battle with the Jays for third place. (Ouch). Mussina pitches well and Mariano saves it. It's over. It's really over. Not only for me, but for the Yanks. Boston wins and the Yankees are officially eliminated. It's been a long time (1993) since they didn't make the playoffs, so it's a hard pill to swallow. I have a few days left to get back to New York but I'm going to take a day off tomorrow and do something I enjoy- I'm going to Yankees/Blue Jays! Thanks for reading and following along. I will probably document the last few days of the trip as I have a few surprise stops of interest on the way home. I will also be updating after that with any progress on the movie. Stay tuned and keep in touch!

Day 45: Camden Yards, Baltimore; September 22

Today is day 45. It's the magical number that has been on top of this blog since day one. It's finally here except that there is one small problem: Baltimore is only ballpark number 29, and there are 30 MLB parks. Should I continue? Should I just quit at 29 and call it a trip? I'll have to hear what my readers have to say and then I will decide. I think 29 is fine, though. I can live with it. Anyway, I wake up about 8:00 and get some errands done in NYC before I catch the 11:00 MVP Chinatown special bus to Baltimore. The ride is surprisingly comfortable and I actually get a lot of work done. This road trip isn't official unless I take at least one bus ride, so I'm happy to be on the MVP southbound. I get to Baltimore about 3:00 and realize I am pretty much in the middle of the ghetto. This is no NYC Canal Street packed with tourists. The street I'm on is filled with locals and they don't like the looks of me. I hail a cab and feel like I'm in a third world country as the guy flies through lights in his barely-working car. I take a business call in the back and the driver- clearly aware I'm on a call for at least five minutes- decides to turn on the radio at full blast at the most crucial part of the call. "What are you doing?" I ask, in a tone that should not be confused with nice. He drops me at the Radisson downtown and I check into the $110 room I reserved on Hotwire two days earlier. As I organize my stuff and strip down to my boxers to change clothes, my door opens. "What the hell are you doing in my room?" I ask a guy standing there looking right back at me in my skivvies. "It's my room," he says. "They just gave me a key to 1408". I am not happy. The guy leaves and I articulate my aggravation in a tone slightly less nice than the one I used with crazy cabbie. "Sir, we will look into what we can do to make your stay better," The manager says as I leave for the game. I eat some pizza from Mario's and grab a couple "2 for $5" beers outside the stadium. I enjoy the monument of Baltimore native, Babe Ruth, and the fact that I get a free club level ticket from a couple I interview (Steven and Carrie pictured above). I sneak down behind home plate which is VERY easy. I settle about ten rows behind home plate where I stay until the 5th inning, at which point both pitchers still have no hitters! By the time I get to the Club Level seats in 272, the no- hitters are over BUT club level has ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT food with the ticket! I grab an ice cream bar, nachos and and a soda. I joke that I will take 12 ice creams and the woman says, "You can take what you want- we don't care!" Nice! The Orioles try their best not to win and accommodate the Rays who grab the win and move one step closer to clinching first place. The other highlight of the night is getting a call from the Radisson night manager who tells me that Hotwire has comped my room. What a great way to end the trip on my last night! Last night you ask? Yes it is. It's day 45 so it's officially over. No more blogging, video-taping, racing across the country at break-neck speed. Done. Thanks for coming along for the ride. I have made it to 29 out of 30 in 45 days. Not bad for the second time around. I hope you all have amazing lives. Please keep in touch and write me often. Goodbye..... PS, If anyone has ever been to the Rogers Centre in Toronto, please tell me a little about it. I would love to know more since I missed it.

Day 44: Yankee Stadium, The Bronx; September 21

Today will be the last time I ever wake up and go to a Yankee game at Yankee Stadium. Wow. It's hard to think that after all the years/tears/jeers and CHAMPIONSHIPS, this will be the last time I will walk through the gates into the cathedral of baseball on 161st and River Ave. in the Bronx. The game isn't until 8:30, but I get up there close to 2:00 because they are letting fans on the field between 1:00 and 4:00. I am in line no more than five minutes when a wave of angry fans pass us, "No more field access. No more monument park. They've shut down the line." Damn it. I've been a season ticket holder for 10 years and ALWAYS put off the stadium tour. This was my LAST chance to see things up close and I BLEW it! It is par for my golf course, however, if you have been reading this blog, so please do not feign shock out of sympathy. I head to my favorite place for a pre-game meal- the Courthouse Diner- and grab a gyro and split pea soup. It's only about 3:30 when I finish eating so I head to legendary Stan's Sports Bar - right across from the stadium- for 1 or 2 beers (actually 10 but who is counting). The Bud Lights go down so easy as the rowdy bar watches the Giants comeback win and the TV shows blimp shots of Yankee Stadium. (to raucous applause!). I need to interview people for the documentary but the beer tastes SO good and I'm starting to feel even better. I pray the image stabilizer on my camera works extra well today as I speak with an 82 year old Neil from Yonkers, who tells me that DiMaggio was 'a good ballplayer'. Neil wins the understatement of the year contest however he redeems himself with a story of drinking Babe Ruth under the table at an upstate bar in the 1940's. Fans are desperate for tickets and I am desperate for more Bud Light. Scott- the guy I drove up the west coast with two weeks ago- meets me in front of Stan's about 6:30. We drop my bag off at the bowling alley (no video cameras and no bags allowed) and head into the ballpark to meet Stonge for our final Yankee Stadium goodbye. I have had seats for 10 years in section 39 of the bleachers so I know all the regulars so it's tough to think this will be our last time together out here. Security is quadrupled because of looting fears, so I ask an NYPD officer where I can store my hacksaw during the game as it is too big to fit under my seat. He has a good laugh but I am kind of serious. I need to take something home! The pre-game ceremony is long but great as Yankee legends past and present are introduced and serenaded by adoring fans. The Yankees fall behind early and my lack of sleep is starting to catch up to me. I doze off (picture above taken by Scott) and fans to my right and behind me start laughing and taking photos. "You don't know where I've been- what I've done!" I plead, as the laughter continues. Johnny Damon blasts a three run home run followed by a solo shot by Jose Molina. There is no way the Yankees are losing this one! When Mariano comes in through the bullpen for the final time in the 9th inning, the we all know the 7-3 victory is sealed. The players congregate on the field and Jeter addresses the crowd before leading the team around the field for a victory/goodbye lap. Cops flood the field to stop streakers but that doesn't stop a determined few who make the leap and get pummeled. (much to the delight of those in the stands.) No one wants to leave. Fans linger for photos and to take it all in one last time. I don't want to leave- ever- but finally do at 12:30. Yankee Stadium, I'm going to miss you. Rest in Peace.

Day 43; NYC, September 20

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There are a lot of "supposed to's" today. I was supposed to go to a Blue Jays game. I was supposed to be done with ballpark 28. I was supposed to be eating Canadian bacon in Canada today. I was supposed to take off from Detroit to NYC at 6:15, but because of a malfunction we have to change planes and don't leave Detroit until nearly 8:00. As soon as I hit my seat, I pass out. I awake to the sound of airplane wheels hitting runway and the stewardess saying, "Thank you for flying Northwest and welcome to Detroit!" Detroit?!?!? I am supposed to be in NYC... I think. Did I sleep all the way out to NYC and then fly back to Detroit again on the return flight without being woken up?? I frantically search for answers from a guy sitting next to me. Turns out, I am in NYC and the stewardess just made a verbal typo. Don't tease me like that! I have about 5 hours before my wedding starts and use every minute of it to run errands like showering and meeting a potential client at my studio, picking up my tickets to the last Yankee game at my friend Eric's apartment, picking up my suit from Ed's apartment and grabbing lunch at my favorite pizza place in the world, Zesty's. I meet my assistant, Adam at the wedding and shoot for 10 hours. I do OK except for falling asleep standing up during the first dance. A normal human would then probably go to bed but I meet Stonge at the bar with highlights including sampling a very strong Mickey Mantle drink, reminiscing about sleeping a few nights earlier and passing out in the back of a limo as we ride 10 blocks for $25 because I am literally falling asleep as we walk. I offer the driver $20 when we get out and his reply makes a whole lot of sense. "Sir, you can't renegotiate the rate after the ride." Makes sense. Tomorrow will be the best day of the trip hands down: Yankee Stadium and it's last game are on the agenda!

Day 42; My personal Hell, September 19

My cell phone alarm goes off at 5:15 a.m. and I quickly throw on some clothes and give my teeth a quick scrub. I think of the movie 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' and feel I will be writing the sequel today. I take the metro to the airport where I catch my 6:50 flight with a few minutes to spare. I am off to Minneapolis to pick up the Jeep but for some stupid reason, I booked a flight with a 2 1/2 hour layover in FREAKING ATLANTA! Atlanta??? Don't ask! I still can't remember why ($$$) I did that!!! Anyway, I make it to Minneapolis about 1:00 central time and the Jeep in good working order after a week of rest. I am the master of two lane highways as I head east for St. Ignace, Michigan. Why am I am going there you ask? Another good question! I was supposed to be going to Toronto today with my friend, Stonge, but I have to head back to NYC to fill in for one of my videographers whose mother fell ill. I'm picking up Stonge in upper peninsula of Michigan and we are heading for the Detroit airport for 6 a.m. flights to NYC. The GPS goes out as soon as I hit Wisconsin so I have to rely on maps which is not good. I get lost a few times and call my father for help but he is too busy getting ready to golf or something to assist me. Night falls and I'm still not in Michigan. A deer jumps in front of the Jeep and I jam the breaks. The Jeep does a wicked fishtale left and right and I end up backward in an embankment facing oncoming traffic. The good news is now I really know what a deer in the headlights looks like. The bad news is that my hair goes immediately from brown to salt pepper and the Jeep is in an embankment. I am in a Jeep so I pull out of the embankment and continue on my two-lane paradise and through a small town called Escanada where I notice my lights are not on. Before I can turn them on, the red and blue lights I see in my rearview mirror are blinding me. The office is VERY nice and let s me go with little hassle. I did not even have to waste any energy and use my Jedi mind trick either! He advises that I fill up with gas as I will hit a long stretch of 'nothing' before reaching Stonge in St. Ignace. I pull into Timmy Lee's Pub about 12:45 and Stonge is waiting for me with duffel packed under the Timmy Lee Pub sign. We grab a quick picture with Timmy Lee and hit the road on 75 South. The trip over the Mackinac Bridge (suspended 200 plus feet over the Great Lakes) is quite scary as it feels the a reasonable gust of wind could blow the Jeep right over the side. My flight is at 6:15 and the drive is at least 4 1/2 hours. About 2 hours outside of St. Ignace, my GPS returns and tells me we are still nearly 4 hours away. Stonge and I disagree and get there in less than two. I even have a few minutes to repack my bags and tidy up the Jeep and actually get to the gate with plenty of time to spare. I write this from the seat of the plane where we wait to take off. My sleep for tonight will be whatever I get on this plane ride. Please pray for me....PS, I just want to remind you that I SKIPPED Toronto today. Guess I am only going to make it to 29 of the 30 parks. Oh, well. Close but no cigar. Better luck next time I guess.

Day 41; Nationals Park, Washington D.C.; September 18

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I am up by 7:00 and am part of a carpool of 5 kids in a minivan going to school. Yeah for me! Joey drops me off at the nearest train station and I get the airport by 8:30, which gives me of plenty of time to make my 9:40 flight. No PA announcements today or mad dashes through the airport. I do realize that my video camera charger and a battery are still in Joey and Jessica's house. Without that, no more documentary! The flight to D.C. is smooth but I long for the trivia game that I had on yesterday's flight. I make it to my friend Ravi's apartment about 1:00 and spend the afternoon doing work. I get a MUCH later start than I want for the game and we don't get there until about 6:45. I scramble trying to find people to interview and don't make it into the stadium until about 7:30. We meet our college friend Josh and his wife and brother, Nicky and Adam. Adam did his own ballpark trip in 2007 hitting all 30 parks in 56 days! We watch most of the game from the bar in the upper deck of centerfield before walking around to check out the park after the seventh inning stretch. Other hightlights include meeting McGruff the Crime Dog, eating Giffords mint chip ice cream and healthy tacos, getting an e-mail from Megan the Marlin cheerleader, finding out Joey mailed the battery and charger to my next destination and knowing that in less then 12 hours I will be having an emotional reunion with the Jeep! 27 ballparks down and 3 to go!

Day 40; Turner Field, Atlanta: September 17

At 10:00 a.m. I am still with Jason in Hollywood, FLA walking back to his apartment after breakfast even though my flight is at 11:10. I speed pack, speed speed, speed park, speed get lost in car garage, speed shuttle bus to the correct terminal and somehow still make it to my gate moments before they would most likely announce my name over the loudspeaker for the 3rd time in 4 days. I don't feel like reading on the flight so I play trivia against other passengers. A woman from Jeopardy asks me to be on the show. I am that amazing. I tell her I am not interested and want keep my amateur status by playing only on airplanes. The handle on my new duffle bag breaks when I get to Atlanta so I actually have to carry this mostrosity now instead of rolling it. I take the MARTA train north to meet my friend, Joey, near his office. It's VERY dark out and the sky is ominous. A rain out at this stage would be bad like a heat wave before a snowmobile race. Joey and I get to the stadium around six and discuss strategy for getting free tickets. Strategy number one is Joey holding up one finger hoping for two free tickets. It works as we get two and don't pay a nickel. Once inside, we try to sneak in some reasonable seats but are quickly tossed out. We walk a few sections over and I grease the palms of a very friendly usher with 1000 pennies worth of greenback. He puts us in the 5th row! Other highlghts include my southwestern hotdog, yelling at Jason Werth and Charlie Manuel of the Phillies, running to first base with about 10 three year olds in the playground area, pretending to serve a snow cone, interviewing 81 year old Paul from Atlanta (who was in Yankee Stadium for Lou Gehrig day!) and passing out on top of the Phillies Dugout after one too many O'Douls. Twenty six down, 4 to go!

Day 39; Pro Player Stadium, Miami: September 16

I fell asleep last night trying to write my blog entry about 4 a.m., so when the wake up call comes at 8:30, I am far from ready. I do some work on the computer and rush off to the airport for my 10:50 Spirit Air flight to Ft. Lauderdale. I race like OJ Simpson in a Hertz commercial to get to the counter and am told my flight was changed to take off two hours earlier. They tell me the next flight is 9:30 at night. I hate Spirit Air. I walk over to Southwest and am able to get an 11:30 flight for a $132. I really hate Spirit. Every time I have ever flown Spirit, there is a problem. Do not fly Spirit unless getting annoyed and wanting to kill people is a hobby of yours. I settle in by the gate and somehow miss the boarding announcement. For the second time in three days, my name is called over the loudspeakers, "Timothy Smith, please report to gate 37. Your flight has boarded." After picking up a royal blue Chrysler Sebring, I make the short drive to Hollywood to meet Irma for a late lunch and Starbucks. Irma was the maid of honor at a wedding I filmed a few months back. I owe her at least a lunch and cup of coffee because I told her how good she looked once she put her make-up on while getting ready for the wedding. It did not come out of my mouth as it played out in my head, so needless to say I owe her a few more dinners to prove it. I program my GPS for Dan Marino BLVD and merge from Hollywood BLVD onto the Florida turnpike and somehow go through a toll booth without paying. It's a rental, though, and by the time Dollar figures out what happened I will have canceled my credit card that I used to get this car. I pay $10 to park at Pro Player Stadium about six and notice there are PLENTY of parking places. It probably won't be hard to find tickets but I still don't want to pay much. I see three guys walking in and figure a fourth bailed. "Do you guys have an extra?" I ask. They shake their head and continue on, but two minutes later they return. "You still need one?" one of them asks, handing me a ticket for free. Nice! I finally make it into the game in the bottom of the second and look at my ticket: Founders Club, first row! My free seat is in the first row behind the dugout- wow! I meet the guy next to me, Rich, and also Astro infielder, Jose Castillo, who is about 6 feet from me, "Can I get a ball Castillo? I've been to 25 parks in a month and haven't come close!" He looks at me and indicates he will get me one later.... It's already 5-1 Marlins but being in the first row makes watching an otherwise boring game reasonably fun. Highlights include meeting and posing for pictures with the Marlins cheerleaders, almost catching a ball thrown by a player into the stands (but not because I did not want to get harassed by people saying it was for a kid), being on TV in a close up taking to Rich, having my favorite Marlins girl throw a t-shirt to me in the 7th inning off the dugout after giving me a look that said, "stand up and I will throw this shirt right to you.", having security in front of the dugout badgering me for badgering Castillo all game for a ball and having Castillo finally give me a ball about two minutes before I leave in the top of the ninth inning! Rich tells me there is a sports reporter from the Miami Sun Sentinel sitting behind us so I chat with her before heading north to my friend Jason's condo in Hollywood. 25 down and 5 to go!

Day 38: Tropicana Field, Tampa; September 15

I know it's going to be a good day when I meet a woman on the elevator at 6 a.m. to share the cost of a cab to LaGuradia airport. I read the Post and Daily News on the flight- a welcome treat after over five weeks on the road- and we are on the ground in Tampa by 10:30. I have reserved a car at Dollar for the day and I feel like I am cheating on the Jeep as I sign the papers and take the keys for my brown Sonata. The AC feels so cool as I turn the ignition. The windows go right up and down- automatically! There is a panic button on the keychain- perfect for EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE since I can never find my car after an event. I try to suppress my lust for the Sonata as I drive to the beautiful Doubletree that I purchased for a mere $65 on hotwire.com. It's only 11:30, but they let me check in early. The room is huge and everything is very nice. I work most of the afternoon and then head to Tropicana Field in St Pete for the Red Sox & Devil Rays about 5:00. The Rays are in first over the Sox by one game so it's going to be quite a series. For the first half hour I am in the parking lot, I ONLY see Red Sox fans. This is weird. It gets weirder when I get inside the park that I notice a Ted FREAKING Williams museum. It is quite disconcerting to see a museum dedicated to the greatest player in Red Sox history IN THE STADIUM OF THE OPPOSING FREAKING TEAM! Other disconcerting things I notice are that Tampa has a TON of baseball and non-baseball related activities on the concourse. When a team is as as bad consistently as Tampa had been before this year, apparently you practically need an amusement park built into your stadium to be able to draw even the handful of fans you do get. I try to watch the game but the Sox launch an assault of homeruns and I get sick to my stomach. I leave in the fifth for Bern's Steakhouse- one of the world's best- where I meet some lovely young ladies sitting at the next table who are quite the comedians. After Berns, I head to a special Tampa exhibit designed to explain the intricacies of the 'Mons' who once inhabited Venus. It is quite the eye opener. I decide that I should most definitely have been an astrologist whose focus was exploring the many moons of Venus. Other highlights include being the front page story in the sports section of the St. Petersburg Times (pictured), getting my ass kicked in trivia by a 3 year old whose answer to every question is either 'Devil Rays' or 'Longoria' (pictured), running a red light by accident at full speed, trying unsuccessfully to order Minute Maid OJ at the concession stand, and telling a woman who sold me a pretzel she had a piece of fuzz on her chin and then us both realizing it is actually just her natural beard hair.

Day 37: No Game, NYC; September 14

I hate going to bed at 4 a.m. usually, but I think my mind and body are still on pacific time or maybe even mountain time. Then again, I could also be on central time. It's been a crazy week with the time zones as I started in Seattle and crossed over the next day into the mountain time zone. By Wednesday night I was in the central time zone but back in the mountain time zone for Friday's game in Denver. I then skipped two more time zones back to my hometown eastern timezone with the flight to NYC yesterday. Either way, I try to trick my mind and body into thinking that going to bed at 4 a.m. and getting up at 9 a.m. is actually OK. It isn't. I need to do brunch with my friends Ed and Jess, so I force myself out of bed with minimal rest. After breakfast, I go for a run in beautiful but very hot central park with Ed. He has run a few marathons in his day but has a hard time keeping pace with me. OK, that is a lie. I let him go off on his own after the first mile or so but it's fun nonetheless to be back in NYC, especially on such a beautiful day. I meet my friend Geoff near the wedding venue as he is going to help me film the first part of the day. I'm a little rusty as it's been 5 weeks since my last wedding, but I quickly get back into the groove. Lowlights of the day include Geoff getting a $115 parking ticket for parking at a bus stop, having a half hour cab ride to go 30 blocks to the wedding, and losing the lens cap to the camera I am using to shoot 'Twice in a Lifetime.' I am back on the road (in the air actually) first thing for a day of sun, fun and baseball in Tampa Bay!

Day 36: No Game, NYC; September 13

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My friends Dan & Tienne wake up today to the sound of me saying, 'Oh, no.' Needless, to say, it is not the kind of start any of us want to have for a lovely Fall Saturday in Denver. My suburban difficulties on the trip continue as I struggle with fickle plumbing and apprehensive kids but we fight through our "where the hell is the plunger and how do we stop this roof from leaking?" drama and still make it in time for my 10:40 flight to NYC. I am headed to NYC because I have to film a wedding tomorrow. Out of curiosity, I ask the security agent if it is possible to get on a plane if you forget your driver's license. His response: "It's possible but we would have to give you the 'full monty' search. You don't want the full monty." I don't ask what the 'full monty' is, but I have a pretty good idea and know that I do not want it. Ever. I am excited to be back home for the first time in five weeks. Even my rude, non-English-speaking cab driver is welcome after weeks of overly friendly middle-Americans. Ah, home sweet home! I head to my apartment to drop some things off and get my equipment ready for the shoot. I watch Michigan play like my high school team in a horrible loss to Notre Dame with my friend Ed (pictured with wife, Jess). I then kick back and watch the Yankee make-up game on TV before heading to dinner at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain with my friend James and his dad- in town for their first and last ever trip to Yankee Stadium. James and I then join our friend Evans for a full night of revelry at some of NYC's finest watering holes, including a personal favorite I like to call, "Automatic Tims". Highlights include trying to sell a drunk bride-to-be (who just fell off the bar) on getting video at her wedding, having a girl I ask to take our picture make fun of and reprimand me for having a camera with a broken LCD screen, and finding solace in the fact that I own an industrial strength NYC toilet that will never let me down!

Day 35: Coors Field, Denver; September 12

One thing you never want to hear while at the airport is your name being announced over the loudspeakers. "Tim Smith, please report to Gate 36. We are closing the doors in one minute." I race the final stretch- having spent WAY too much time enjoying my morning burrito at the airport restaurant- to just make my gate. My new bag is WAY too big for carry on, but I carry it on anyway. This is NOT a good way to start off what will be a week straight of one way flights. I have 22 stadiums in the bag and 8 more to go with 10 days left in the trip. I barely make the flight which arrives in Denver at 10:00 a.m. I am greeted by a torrential downpour. I quickly think and realize that Coors Field does NOT have a dome. I am leaving first thing tomorrow so there is no room for a make-up game this weekend. I ponder the possibilities and all answers point to 'not happening'. I also start wondering about my trip to Toronto next week. My passport is expired and my mom says my birth certificate is good enough to cross the border. What if she's wrong? Things are starting to fall apart right before my eyes. I take the bus into the city and spend the day getting some work done at a Starbucks. My friend, Dan (who got tickets and parking from work!), picks me up about 5:00 and we head to the Breckenridge Brewery by the stadium for dinner. It is very cold out and I am dressed in a t-shirt. Packing did not go well last night. I buy a sweatshirt from the lovely Jennifer at the brewery and then Dan and I meet my friend Doug at the game. The three of us came to a Rockies game with John (blog entry one) 12 years ago, so this should be a fun reunion. We grab our seats in the 5th row (nice work, Dan!) behind third base and spend most of the time talking about college hijinks. I force Doug to sample the Rocky Mountain Oysters - a Coors Field specialty consisting of bull testicles fried golden brown and mixed with french fries. Doug is not happy but I join him as we savor the taste that is like chewy steak. Other highlights include cheering for former Yankee third base coach and current Dodger third base coach Larry Bowa, having a very beautiful photographer take the picture of the three of us above (please e-mail me!), dipping the oysters in marinara sauce, not having to do much driving today, drinking a couple of taLL Coors, and getting to sleep in an amazing bed. NYC here I come!

Day 34: The Metrodome, Minneapolis; September 11

I would have to say that I am probably the only person in the history of the planet to drive nearly 1000 miles in a single day- risking life and limb in torrential rains- with the goal being to get CLOSE to Minneapolis as not to miss the next day's Twins/Royals game. That was yesterday. Today the goal is to make the last 150 miles to the ugliest stadium in MLB and to get some sleep in a real bed. I arrive about noon and start haggling with a father - almost 80 years old- and son scalping team over a mediocre ticket. I spend $10 and walk around the VERY out of date stadium. The place is pretty empty so I ask a woman in the outfield (who has the entire 2000 seat section to herself) to take a photo of me. We chat for a few innings and then I grab a jumbo dog 'chicago' style and am not let down at all! I spend the last three innings in the eighth row and eventually watch the Twins lose in 10 innings. Leaving the stadium is fun as it seems they only have one exit and people have to use it one at a time as it's a freaking REVOLVING DOOR!!!! I decide that a trip to the Mall of America is in order as I need some new luggage for the flurry of flights I have ahead in the next week as well as to get a replacement for the belt that broke in Cedar Point. I leave the stadium at 3:30 and get to the mall- approximately 20 miles away- AT SIX O'CLOCK!!! Minneapolis apparently makes highways for the sake of making them. I never thought I would use the words 'gratuitous' and 'highways' next to one another in one sentence, but that's how I feel as I endlessly drive from one wrong freeway to another. I mistakenly forgot to get the mall's address for my GPS, so I call my friend, Jeff, to ask for help, "I"m on highway 77 South," I say. "I've never heard of 77," he replies. I hate this city. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!!!!!!! When it's time to LEAVE the mall I can't find my car of course because the parking garages for the LARGEST MALL IN THE WORLD are HORRENDOUS and NEVER-ENDING! I finally meet Jeff and his family at Champs restaurant for dinner close to 8:30. "Is that the first time you've ever been to the Mall of America?" he asks me upon arrival to dinner. "No," I say. "But it is most certainly the last!"

Day 33; South Dakota, September 10

If any of you have been reading this blog consistently, you will remember the day I had a few weeks ago in Arlington, TX. I was so exasperated and at a loss for words, I had to employ Carnac the Magnificent- Johnny Carson's old creation- to write the blog. Today was Arlington times 10, so I am not in the state of mind to write lucidly or with great detail. Again, with apologies to Carnac, some of the highlights..... Waking up in the Jeep Motel in Cody, Wyoming, jousting deer and the Jeep lock-out, a monsoon in South Dakota that would make a weather man blush, the Jeep and the miracle hydroplane, a tour of Mt. Rushmore that would make even Clark Griswold proud, the lightening scare in the Badlands, a 40 foot chipmunk, teaching a Hell's Angel to take photos, 975 miles in 18 hours, finding common ground with an Ohio State fan, unwinding over cheese balls, petting a horse named Dante and a return trip to the Jeep Motel in comfortable Fairmount, MN. Did I mention the 720 degree hydroplane? Baseball resumes tomorrow- and hopefully so will my normal heart rate.....

Day 32: Yellowstone; September 9

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, whoever came up with that one probably had just visited Yellowstone National Park. After a two hour drive south from my motel in Three Forks, I spend the day exploring the amazing natural beauty that is Yellowstone. I will keep the words short today, but I do want to give some credit to the Jeep, my 'old faithful' if you will. It's on its second cross country trip in 10 years - nearly 10,000 miles alone on this trip- and it keeps humming along - except for the AC issues of course- like it did the day it pulled out of the factory. (That sound you hear is me knocking vigorously on some Yellowstone wood.) I hope you enjoy the photos. Almost as much as I enjoyed trying to get out of the park in the dark without hitting a buffalo or elk. Highlights include a ranger saying to me,
"Sir, you might want to move back. That bull is probably going to charge you.", watching Old Faithful erupt, a buffalo (pictured) stopping traffic by walking right into it, seeing a rainbow (pictured) and me almost backing the Jeep off s small cliff into parts unknown. If you've never been to Yellowstone, you should make it your mission to get there as soon as humanly possible....

Day 31: Idaho/Montana; September 8

I used to watch Star Wars a lot as a kid so it is no surprise to me when the 'Jedi Mind Trick' used famously by Obi-Wan Kenobi with a Storm Trooper, works for me on a Washington State Trooper. "I am not the speeder you are looking for," I say as the Trooper stares through my window. "You are not the speeder I am looking for," the Trooper repeats, handing me back my license and registration. (OK, and PBA card.) I'd like to say that is the most stressful part of the drive east today, but then that would be a lie. About 200 miles or so into Montana, I notice my gas gauge is past the 'E'. I also notice that there is no sign of any town or life at all for that matter. I would probably have a better chance of finding a gas station on Mars than this stretch of desolate Montana roadway. I also notice that with the top of the Jeep down and the sun gone as well, it is VERY cold out. I reminisce about two days ago when the AC disappeared for 3 hours in the California heat and Scott and I couldn't stop complaining. I turn the heat on high and keep driving. I turn the radio off to save energy and slow my speed down to a very reasonable 60 MPH. I mentally prepare for a few hours on the shoulder of the highway waiting for help but then a town appears like an oasis in the desert. I coast into the gas station on fumes and promise myself and the Jeep not to cut things so close again. Highlights of the day besides not freezing to death on the side of a Montana highway are a trip through Idaho on the Couer D'Alene scenic highway (above), getting 'Rob's Special' at Rob's Seafood & Burgers in Idaho, having speed limits of 75 in Idaho and Montana and not even being able to go that fast, and finding the 'Lewis and Clark' Motel & Lodge in Three Forks, MT to spend the night.

Day 30; Safeco Field, Seattle: September 7

We start the day a little later than originally hoped because going to bed at 3 a.m. after 18 hours of driving leaves you slightly tired we find out. We had originally hoped to get to Safeco Field in Seattle about 11:00 so I can interview some Mariners fans but we get there closer to 12:45 instead. Scott bought the tickets a few weeks ago and the seats are pretty good, so I actually sit in my real seats for five innings for the first time all trip. Jeter hits a homerun in the first so things start off well but the Yankees and Mussina, who is trying for 18, do not bring their 'A' games. Safeco Field, however, brings its 'A' game when it comes to nachos. Scott and I split an order that is the size of a small country. Other highlights include almost catching a foul ball, meeting a guy with a Mets tattoo on one elbow and and a Yankee tattoo on the other, getting kicked out after trying to sneak to the third row in the 8th inning and talking to 4 crazy Canadians after the game. Scott heads back to LA via Alaska Airlines after the game and I meet my friends- Nathan and Megan Jendrick - for pizza and drinks south of Seattle. Megan, who just won a silver medal in Beijing as part of the women's swimming 4 x 100 meter medley relay, promises me that I can wear it the next time I come to Seattle while visiting all 30 ballparks. After a great dinner, I hit the road and head east for the first of a few days of heavy driving towards ballpark number 22....

Day 29: No Game, Portland, Ore; September 6

Today we simulate what we hope will be tomorrow's Yankee performance by having me (Mike Mussina) pitch 8 innings of shutout ball by driving about 800 plus miles in 16 hours and then Scott (emulating Mariano Rivera) coming in to close with a perfect ninth by driving the last two hours and 100 plus miles to Portland. We start the day posing for pictures near the Golden Gate Bridge with Breast Cancer Survivors who are on a 60 mile walk. We drive all day as if we are trying to escape the mob and/or law enforcement by logging an incredible 18 hours. Highlights include beautiful coastal jaunts in both CA and Oregon, hugging a huge red wood tree, a mad dash to the Pacific Ocean, coming up a one-in-a-million business idea together, posing with Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox at a tourist trap, and meeting my friend Chris John for lunch in Arcadia, CA. Another highlight includes accidentally ignoring a detour sign and continuing on a road that eventually has no bridge only to be stopped by a cop who questions our sobriety (wrongly) and the informs us we probably don't have enough gas to make it to the nearest gas station. Do we run out of gas? You bet your Jeep we don't! Yankees/Seattle here we come!

Day 28; AT&T Park, San Francisco; September 5

Theoretically we are supposed to drive from LA to San Francisco today via the PCH. A few wrong turns on access and unmarked roads along with an unauthorized stop to Carl's Jr. for breakfast, delays us early, but we eventually have a fairly scenic (albeit foggy) ride along the left coast. Highlights of the ride include stopping for lunch at a Mexican dive called Chachos, realizing Scott forgot our Sunday Yanks/Mariners tickets at his house, passing Ebay/ Yahoo/Google/Microsoft and Oracle and Stanford on Route 101 and snagging a few free happy hour beers at the bar at Embassy Suites. We get to AT&T Park about 6:45
(without tickets of course) and watch the first inning from a FREE standing room spot in right field. A scalper tries to SELL us tickets while we stand in the FREE section and I tell him to go jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. We eventually buy upper deck seats for $8 so we can check out the stadium and enjoy the famous Gilroy Garlic Fries. Other highlights include Scott dumping the peppers and onions from his sausage on my favorite pair of shorts (and then scooping them off my shorts and eating them), cutting in front of crying four year olds to ride the frightening 'Guzzler' slide sponsored by Coke (see above), and finding out Scott's wife, Anita, had saved the day by overnighting our Sunday tickets to tomorrow's hotel! 20 parks down and 10 to go!

Day 27: No Game, LA; September 4

They say there is no crying in baseball, however there is plenty of crying in a house with an 18 month old girl. I need to get on the road again and fast. Diana has made it perfectly clear that there is only room for one person who acts like a 2 year old, and that person's name rhymes with 'cry-ana'....I spend the day working and also get the Jeep cleaned and ready for the next few days of hard driving up the coasts of CA and Oregon. The guys at the car wash spend so much time cleaning the Jeep I swear they get dirt out that has been there since the last cross country baseball trip in 1998. I take some glamor shots of Diana and family and pack up for the trip to San Francisco in the morning. By the time Diana reads this, I will be gone....

Day 26: No Game, LA; September 3

On the 26th day, God said to rest. So I do...I have been running around like crazy for the past month or so and it's starting to catch up to me. I am staying with my friends, Scott and Anita, in the suburbs of LA for a few days. I try to get some work done but fall asleep at the table after a few hours. In between, the repairman, mailman, and pest control all make visits. Suburban life is wearing me out. I decide to take a nap - something I probably haven't done since age two- and wake up at 5:00 in a panic. Where am I supposed to be? What game am I late for? What flight did I miss? When I realize it's none of the above, I breath a sigh of relief. I go for a run to wake up a little and need my phone's GPS to find their house on the way back. When I return, Anita is slightly annoyed because I did not mention loud enough that I was going out for a run. Apparently baby time and Tim time do not mesh well and the baby only has about another hour before she starts going bonkers. I change without showering (yeah, it wasn't pretty) and we head to a local chain called Bail Jumpers or something like that. I have known Scott for almost 20 years and tonight I discover something new about him: he's a weirdo. He tells me he's going to order the jambalaya, which I decide sounds delicious. When the waitress comes, I order the jambalaya and Scott changes his order. I tell him that I will get the cobb salad instead, but it's already too late. "You've ruined it," he says. "I hate having the same thing or even having someone else think of having the same dish as me." We have the waitress take our picture with my broken camera which is certainly no 'Eco Sun', the beloved camera the two of us used for all of our high school adventures. All and all, an exciting day of suburban, married life for the four of us!

Day 25: Dodger Stadium, LA; September 2

Seeing Joe Torre in a Dodgers uniform is something I am not looking forward to. Fortunately, my seats in the Loge make it impossible for me to make him or anyone else out for that matter. The Dodgers have the Stadium pretty well segregated so getting to the field box seats is pretty much impossible from the $10 seat I buy in the Loge. My best option is to move to a more prime loge seat behind home plate, where I settle in next to a guy named Chuck, his daughter and a crazy guy from Poland. I eat a Dodger Dog and some Camacho Nachos (seriously, that's what they are called) and wonder if said Dodger Dog and Camacho Nachos are going to have a battle royale in my stomach. Manny "I-would-lose-vs-my-glove-in-a-trivia-contest" Ramirez hits a homerun in the first inning and nearly blasts a grand slam later in the game. Highlights for me include meeting the famous peanut guy, conducting my fantasy football draft via the phone with my friend John in CT, a base hit single going down the Dodger first baseman's shirt creating a blooper that will be shown until the end of the world, almost getting pulled over pulling out of the stadium and realizing the Jeep now permanently smells like the Gates and Sons BBQ sauce I bought in KC that broke on Sunday in the back seat.

Day 24: Chase Field, Phoenix; September 1

Whoever said that there are no free rides in life apparently has never been to Phoenix on Labor Day. The city bus I take from the airport to Chase Field is not interested in money today. Happy Labor Day to me! The 15 minute ride saves me $25 on a cab which is a good way to start the day. I wander around the stadium in 125 degree heat (feels that way anyway) and am genuinely interested in who the hell these 'die hard' Diamondback fans rooted for before the Diamondbacks existed. I'm also interested in finding some closure over the Yankees Game 7 World Series loss on this field in 2001. I wear my Jeter jersey just hoping somebody will talk smack to me, and they do. This includes some guy who later reveals he is an Orioles fan. An Orioles fan?? I buy a ticket for $5 from some fans with an extra and head in to watch the game. I grab a world famous 'Fat Burger' for lunch and $10 Fat Tire beer (no relation) to wash it down in order to have full hands so I can sneak past security to much better seats. Randy "I think I pitched for the Yankees with the wrong arm" Johnson starts and fans 8 in 3 2/3 innings. He also gives up 4 home runs! Ha, ha, ha! I hate that mullett-sporting, 7 foot freak! There are 8 HRs in the game total and Stephen Drew hits for the cycle. Other highlights include almost catching a foul ball, being on the jumbotron while they film some hot girls near me dancing, the couple right behind me getting engaged (also on the jumbotron), almost winning a stadium-wide contest, post-game beers at Sliders Bar with their surgically enhanced bartenders and watching a guy (who I don't think was homeless) take a half-eaten slice of pizza out of a box on top of a garbage can by the bus stop and savoring it like he was eating Filet Mignon.

Day 23: McAfee Coliseum, Oakland; August 31

Today is the first of what will be many flights that help me accomplish my task of getting to all 30 ballparks in 45 days. I get up before 6:00 which is something I normally only do when I go deer hunting. OK, I actually have never gone deer hunting so I NEVER get up before 6:00. The 7:45 flight of LAX puts me in Oakland around 9:00 so I have a LOT of time to kill before the 1:00 p.m. start. After finally getting kicked out of the magazine shop for reading every magazine there without buying one, I head to McAfee Coliseum about 10:30 to find some A's fans. I end up at two amazing tailgates and sample the beer, brats and ribs along with other delicacies while also managing to interview a few of the fans for the movie. Mike- leader of tailgate number one- also gives me a free ticket and I join him and the crew in a luxury box! I am pretty tired from all the food and lack of sleep and actually doze off for an inning or so in a VERY comfortable chair. I do want to check out the rest of the stadium, so I say my goodbyes in the sixth and use my amazing security-dodging skills to sample a few different close seats during the last few innings. I take the $3 BART bus back to the airport and doze off before, during and after my return flight to LAX.

Day 22: Angels Stadium, Anaheim; August 30

The best part about today is that it isn't yesterday and that I actually I have about 6 hours of sleep to get me through the day. The worst part about today is that I watch my Michigan Wolverines take one in the chin from Utah on opening day at home under new coach, Rich Rodriguez. I leave San Diego about 4:15 for the 6:05 game in Anaheim because I watch the whole football game. I arrive about 5:40 and talk to a few people before checking out the ticket situation. The situation is bad: there are a few single tixx available for the lowest price of $45. I am not interested. But then again, there are no scalpers and it would kind of suck if I missed this very important game....I wander around near the big helmet before a young lady asks if I need one. I get it for $10 and enter the stadium. Security is tight for the lower sections but I do my patented 'fill your hands with lots of crap AND put the cell phone on the ear' move to sneak past my security friend. I sit in the 12th row next to a very enormous man whose body spills over into my seat. Highlights include trying to pop a beach ball, seeing a suicide squeeze, getting invited in for free food at the Coors Light party in center field, getting my photo taken coincidentally by a Utah grad sitting behind me and the fact that enormous man is wearing deodorant.

Day 20 (Continued); Petco Park, San Diego; Aug. 29

You truly have not lived until you drive through the Mojave desert in August with no AC after not sleeping for even one minute the night before. Today should be day 21 of the trip but in my eyes, it is still day 20 because I never went to bed last night. I sweat through my shirt as I head south on 15 for San Diego. Good things happened in Vegas. Bad things also happened there. I am glad to put it behind me. I am afraid that traffic will keep me from reaching the game, but fortunately it does not get bad until I actually reach San Diego. My AC also mysteriously returns when I pull into SD after returning from its 3 day vacation while I needed it in the deserts. I buy a bleacher seat and am pleased to find out it is 'Elvis Night' at Petco Park. The San Diego Friar is dressed to the nines in Elvis gear when I meet him on the concourse for this fabulous photo. About three different women stop me in the park to comment on my coral shirt. I need to wear this more often. The Padres lose but the Park is my favorite so far. The fans are laid back and the fish tacos delicious. I end the night (and extended day) with a few drinks in the Gaslamp District with my friend, Dave. I know it's time to go home when I start falling asleep as I walk between bars. I hate you Vegas- I hate you! The good news is I am halfway done- 15 parks down, 15 to go!

Day 20: Vegas, Baby!; August 28

If I told you that Vegas was on the way to my next ballpark, I would be lying. Quite frankly, it isn't even close and probably cost me many hours and a few extra tanks of gas. No normal person would drive 900 miles for 13 hours -crossing through two time zones in the process- in one day by themself UNLESS the destination was Vegas. I get to Vegas about 9:00 after endless Texas, New Mexico and Arizona driving. Early on in the day, I realize that my AC is officially broken. I try to ignore this by pretending I am am auditioning for a play called 'Welcome to Hell' and sweat my way through 4 states. At some point in New Mexico I also realize my windshield is cracked. Being alone and bored, I also see the crack as a sign from God as it is in the shape of the number 7. The message is clear: I MUST play the number 7 in roulette once I get to Vegas. After checking in at the Rio, I head straight to the blackjack table, however, where I lose $300 in about 2 hours. I then take out another $300 - about 8 red bull and vodkas to the wind at this point- and stumble past a roulette table. I remember my vision from God so I put $30 worth of chips on number 7. The dealer spins... It lands on 7. I am stunned. I have just won $1000! God Bless America! I immediately decide that my good fortune must be celebrated with a lengthy visit to the Beautiful Olympic Gardens which has quite the nice foilage this time of year. About 5:00 or 6:00, I return to the Rio for more Blackjack and more winning. I write this post as the sun blasts through my window at 7:30. I have to be up by 10:00 to head to San Diego. Vegas is so underrated.

Day 19: Lubbock, TX; August 27

Do NOT let the Verizon commercials fool you about that 'network' business. As soon as I leave Houston, Verizon and its network abandons me opting to stay in comfy confines of Houston. GPS is not my friend today either as there is no network to connect with, so I actually have to use a map again and am NOT happy about it. A highight of the 600 mile drive is picking up a cowboy hat at a gas station and having air conditioning for approximately 75% of the ride. I arrive in Lubbock about 8:30 and head to my friend Chap's house, where I am staying. After some food at a good N'Awlins restaurant I play (and win!) in beer pong against 20 year-olds (2-0) and hit the Texas Tech bars for a night out we won't soon forget. I do need some rest, though, as I have an 850 mile ride tomorrow to a VERY special place!

Day 18: Minute Maid Park, Houston; August 26

"Broken air conditioner night" at Minute Maid should be the promotion tonight but instead it is Powerarde night. Bring a label from a Powerarde and get two tickets for $2. I don't think I have ever had a Powerade before and none of the shops near the stadium seem to sell it. I find a guy giving away two tickets and I let him know that the price is right. I try to confuse him and ask for $5. He does not bite. The foot long chili dog is the best of the trip and I hear the orange juice is killer, but I don't see any for sale. Highlights include getting a picture with The Little Pumas in centerfield, dropping my bottle cap on to the field by accident, sneaking past security to the 20th row and posing for another belly laugh shot (see above) in front of some very confused Texans. The good news is that Ron Jeremy seems to have fixed the AC in the Jeep. The bad news is that I think he used my Jeep for a movie shoot of his own this afternoon.

Day 17: No Game, Houston; August 25

Here's some advice: NEVER drive from Dallas to Houston in the middle of summer in the middle of the day when your air conditioning doesn't work. Of course I am in denial about this (even though I am sweating profusely) until popcorn I bought yesterday at the Peanut Shoppe starts popping in my front seat. Damn it! The AC comes on for about 10 minutes halfway through the drive if only to taunt me: "I'm still here. I'm just making your life miserable on purpose. Goodbye." Oppressive heat then returns. I arrive at my friend Ted's apartment at 4:30 and immediately start two weeks worth of laundry and also shave the animal that has grown on my face. We find a mechanic who resembles Ron Jeremy and he agrees to look at the AC tomorrow. I pray that his skills under the hood are half as good as his twin brother Ron's are in the bedroom. We end the day with some good times (maybe not as good as our staged 'belly laugh' photo might indicate) at El Tiempo in Houston. I am pleased that the photo comes out at all as I cracked the LCD screen yesterday so every shot from here on out will be done blindly. As I write this post and prepare for bed, I check the business card from the mechanic. The name of the place is Ron's. I kid you not....

Day 16: The Ballpark at Arlington; August 24

I am going to write this post like an Old Johnny Carson routine. I'm really not going to tell you anything specific, but am going to throw a few things at you and you will have to guess. My apologies to Carnac the Magnificent.....No-line day at Six Flags over Texas, GPS plus Indian Reservation equal bad, 2 hours of 'sleep' at gas station, belligerent trolley driver, team security and local police and the ambush of Tim, 100 degrees in the shade, Peanut Shoppe and the hot cougar in Oklahoma, Marshmallow Coffee, Super 9 Motel, Batman & Wonderman & Tim, another broken camera, HoJo, lost driver's license and did I mention the ambush? I got in the game. That's all I can say with full certainty. I still have not been able to assess this day with a clear mind. I may never be able to.....Until tomorrow. P.S. I promise myself right here in writing that I will remember to check the time the game starts BEFORE I embark on my next 10 hour drive with no sleep in a rush to make the 1 p.m- oops- 7 p.m., start.

Day 15: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City; August 23

Starting the day with Waffle House is never a horrible thing to do so my Saturday begins in the plus column. Losing AC and satellite radio on the 4 hour drive from St. Louis to Kansas City is two in the minus column.....However, things quickly head back in the positive direction when I meet some rowdy tailgaters in the parking lot on 'Christian Family' night in KC. If drinking LOTS of alcohol and cursing like sailors before first pitch is the Christian thing to do, then this group should be sainted. They give me a beer and a free ticket to the game. Score another one in the plus side. I next stumble upon a Bachelorette party (automatic six on the plus side) dressed in Royal Blue who teach me the finer points of Hillbilly Golf. Maye is especially talented and talkative fun to stand next to....By the time I meet my new rowdy friends in section 138 in rightfield (I had ACCIDENTALLY been sitting in 128 for two innings.) the good times are rolling. One guy yells something quite Yankee-bleacher-like, but is quickly shushed by a friend due to the abundance of Christian families within 20 feet of him. I leave in the fifth to grab a seat (given to me by Mike from group one) to sit 10 rows behind the plate. Great view! I actually think I sat in the same seat 10 years ago! With the Royals comfortably losing to the Tigers in the 8th, I leave. I am determined to hit Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q first, though (where I am writing this now.) The Ribs and service are unmatched. I'm off in a few minutes for a LONG drive (550 miles or so in 13 hours with some sleep (I hope) factored in) to Arlington, for the Texas Rangers tomorrow afternoon....Until then.

Day 14: Busch Stadium, St. Louis; August 22

I pay $30 to get in as game time approaches just because I am a little nervous about ticket availability. I ask a woman at concessions what the house special is and she tells me to get the nachos grande. Well, if 'special' means stale chips, grade D meat and cheese that would make cheez whiz a champion in international competition, she nails it with these beauties. For the $8 I pay, the nachos should be served to me by one of the scantily clad girls who throw t-shirts off the dugout in the 6th inning. The good news is I get to see this t-shirt toss up close and personal as my friend's friend, Morgan, meets me on the concourse after the second inning and takes me to his seats in the SECOND ROW behind the Braves dugout! Morgan and his insanely fanatical friends are in town for two Bruce Springsteen shows and have decided to catch the Cardinals as well. From the second row I see the Cardinals thump the hapless Braves 18-2. Highlights for me are yelling 'Larry' as Chipper Jones walks off the field every inning, flicking a beetle in to the Braves dugout off the guy's back in front of me, staring at the girls as they throw t-shirts and running into the guys I interviewed in Cincinnati outside Busch Stadium. My seats are amazing, but nothing beats 'Patty O's' after the game. I feel like an intruder at a woman convention and dance the night away with endless women at the bar just steps from the new Busch Stadium. I grab a brat from the bar but the Miller Light's cloud my memory as to its taste. When you are drinking and get hungry, of course, slapping a a handful of snausages between two seat cushions and adding some 10w40 constitutes delicious. Next up: Kansas City. PS...The stadium is very cool.

Day 13: Wrigley Field, Chicago: August 21

It's my last day in Chicago so I guess I should check out that place they call Wrigley Field. I think of skipping it, but I hear it's pretty cool. OK, it is very cool. Even though I visited 10 years earlier, I definitely am looking forward to coming again. I hit some snafus on the train ride over, but still arrive just after twelve. I am amazed how many tickets are for sale. It seems every other person I pass is selling tickets. I interview some old timers and take lots of photos. A local woman takes a photo of me (photo on blog). She has good camera skills but needs a dollar for the bus. Even though I know needing a bus ticket is just a line to get money, I help her out as this is the best picture taken by a stranger yet! Eventually I buy a ticket from a scalper for $7 under face value at $25. UNDER face value at WRIGLEY! Wow! I'm supposed to sit in the tier reserve but end up dodging an usher and sit about 20 rows behind home plate. I buy a couple of calzones from Connie's Pizza and boy are they delicious! The Old Style goes down like Poland Springs after a 10 mile run so I really keep that beer guy working hard. Carlos Zambrano pitches well and also blasts a homerun. This guy is a beast! Kerry Wood saves the 3-2 game and I fight the crowds back to the 'El'. The train ride is never-ending but I finally get back and pack up my stuff to head south on 55 for St. Louis. My parting thought about 4 days in Chicago is that A LOT of people there look like Al Bundy. Even some of the women....

Day 12, Chicago; No Game: Jiffy Lube, August 20

I originally planned to go to Wrigley today but decided both the Jeep and myself needed a day to catch up and recharge. I get a haircut to start off the day and then take the Jeep to the Jiffy Lube on West Higgins Road. Of course I want to get out of there for under $30 but my windshield wipers are broken and the oil filter looks like a smaller version of the mattresses we slept on in my fraternity house (picture something not clean), so I have to spend a few dollars. The guys at Jiffy Lube are great so I'm giving them a shout out here....My oil, on the other hand, is not great. Apparently I have waited a little longer than the recommended 3000 miles as it's more like 6000 according to the receipt I find in my glove box. I ask the technician below the Jeep to describe my oil, he responds, 'filthy'. Well, truer words have probably never been spoken. I have a LOT of driving ahead in the next few weeks and with 145,000 miles on it, the Jeep needs every bit of help it can get. I spend the rest of the day working (yes, I do work) and then head downtown to meet and stay with my friends, Josh and Danit. Next up: Wrigley Field.

Day 11: Miller Park, Milwaukee; August 19

As I pull into Milwaukee my first thought is of beer. My second thought is of 'Laverne and Shirley' and 'Happy Days'. I start to sing both theme songs to the best of my recollection as I pull into the expansive parking lot at Miller Field. I interview some locals who are very excited about the team. I poach a delicious brat from a tailgate and am informed that tonight is 'Fonz' night and that he and other Happy Days/Laverne and Shirley characters will throw out the first pitch! I eagerly enter the park and almost knock over a woman trying to get my free 'Fonz' baseball card. I am just in time to see the Fonz throw a strike! I pick up a brat at Gorman's Corner and meet my friend Joel. I try to order a Coors Light but for some reason they are unavailable at Miller Park. We walk around the concourse taking in the sites before sneaking down about 20 rows behind the dugout. Other highlights are a photo with a Milwaukee-loving Pat Morita cutout, stealing a 3 year old kid's foul ball (OK, I just borrowed it), and reminiscing about eating my brats.

Day 10, U.S. Celluar Field, Chicago; August 18

I take the train down to U.S. Cellular Field from my hotel by O'Hare airport. I interview some great people outside the stadium (including the lovely ladies in the photo who I ran into again here in the stadium!) before picking up a single ticket at the window. Of course I don't sit in my assigned seat but instead settle behind the Seattle dugout about 20 rows up. I come the closest I ever have in my life to catching a foul ball, but was one row away and two seats over. If I can catch a foul ball on this trip my life will be complete. Really. The White Sox fall behind 3-0 in the first but erupt for a big win. The fans act like they just won the the World Series. The Italian Sausage from Eddie Collins' Brats and Sausage is even better than Grandma used to make!

Day 9: Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati; August 17

I did not get to bed until 3:00 but am up by 7:00 for the trip to Cincinnati. I arrive about 12:30 and buy a ticket for $5 from a scalper. I interview people and some nice guys from St. Louis give me a ticket in section 115 for free. I'm pretty close to the field and get to see Volquez and Lohse pitch. Both pitchers throw at each other which is kind of funny. The park is beautiful and the river views breathtaking. The Reds break it open and I enjoy some fantastic Skyline Chili for Lunch. I also take a picture in some pretty cushy seats that a lucky family won for the game! The Reds win and I interview some old-timers outside the stadium before I head to the Jeep. A cop follows me around the city for 10 minutes as I try to find the highway. Damn you GPS! NJ plates in Cincinnati equal pulled over, but I do not get pulled over. Next up: The White Sox.

Day 8: Comerica Park, Detroit; August 16

We get up about 10:00 and run some errands. We head over to the park about 5:00. I interview some people including the peanut guy and a few old-timers. My battery is low and I forgot to bring an extra tape. Good thing I am so prepared! We find a CVS in downtown Detroit. (no small feat) where I haggle over the price of tapes. I had bought upper deck seats through the Tigers the other day, but it turns out they are in the last row. The last guy I interview on the street has some pull and gets us better seats. He does this the old fashioned way- slipping the usher a $20 bill. The view and comfort are top-notch! Comerica Park is beautiful and I especially like the Ty Cobb statue on the outfield concourse. I forget to eat because I am consumed with our very cushy seats and the beer. If anyone knows how the food is in Comerica, please send me an e-mail.
Next Up: Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark.

Day 7, No Game; Cedar Point; Sandusky; August 15

I haven't been to an amusement park in a long time and I like to be amused. I do some work first then head to Cedar Point to meet a college friend, Barney. We ride the coasters and eat some bad food. It's a great time. The Top Thrill Dragster- CP's most famous ride- is insane. The belt on my shorts breaks from the force of the ride (not the hot dogs I have been eating I hope)- so I know it's intense. It was definitely worth the wait! I leave about 7:30 to head to Detroit in preparation for Saturdays game against the Tigers. I arrive at Larry's house about 10:00. We order some pizza and then head out for a beer. Both of us start yawning. I am also limping from sprained ankle and chaffed legs from walking the amusement park. I am too old for amusement parks and for stepping in potholes.

Day 6: Progressive Field, Cleveland; August 14

I leave Pittsburgh first thing and get to Cleveland by 10:30. I spend a few hours at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and sprain my ankle stepping in a pothole on the street. Damn you Cleveland! I check in the Hyatt at two and spend the afternoon getting work done. A lot of people wonder how I can do this trip for six weeks. Fortunately I have my own business in which I can work from the road MOST of the time. So during the days I will edit my video projects, check e-mail, make phone calls and try to keep things going until I get back! I have other videographers that film for my company so there are jobs going on while I'm away as well. I get to Progressive about 5:30. I talk to some people outside the stadium and meet my web designer, Jason, at the game. He secures two lovely ladies for me to interview. They know nothing about the Indians. I interview them anyway. We get great, free seats from Indians- 4th row! We drink a few beers and eat a brat and some local custard. I am back to the Hyatt by midnight. Long day! Next up: Detroit's Comerica Park.

Day 5: PNC Park, Pittsburgh; August 13

We wake up early in Rhode Island but not early enough. I fight traffic back to NJ to drop Mark off. GPS saves the day by getting me out of stand-still traffic! I have almost all of my stuff for six weeks at my parent's house. It takes me almost 3 hours to organize and pack for the trip. I am WAY behind schedule when I leave for Pittsburgh about 3:00. I don't get to Pittsburgh until about 8. It's the fifth inning already and I don't have a ticket. I argue with a scalper but pay $5 to get in. I ask the scalpers if I can interview them for the documentary. They pull out a knife and I take that as a no. I buy $1 hotdog and $2 pizza from the kiddie concession stand. I tell the people I buy them from that the food is for my son. I eat both as I walk away. I meet my friend, DeFrank, and his friends in outfield. I get photo with Pirate as well as some photos of the monuments that are on the concourse in the outfield. The pirates win and Jolly Roger Flag goes up. We have a few beers at bar across street- IC Lights- the local favorite. I spend the night at DeFrank's childhood home within the city limits.
Next up: Cleveland and Progressive Field.

Day 4: Fenway Park, Boston; August 12

I get some work done and run some errands in RI before game. I ruined my digital sill camera before the game at Shea yesterday as rain leaked into the Jeep and onto the dashboard where I had it set. I buy a new one at Staples and also make cards to pass out to people I meet with movie and blog names. I decide to call the blog 'BallparkTag.Com'. It has a nice ring to it and since I won't be spending six hours at each park- sometimes just an hour- my stops will sometimes be to 'tag' the park and leave. My primary purpose is to get to each park and watch at least part of a live game. I also want to try some of the local food, interview fans and check out the unique things that each park offers. I leave with Mark close to 4:00 for Fenway and we get there close to 6:00. I hate the Red Sox. I find a meter and don't have change. Fortunately I offer a homeless man who looks like Big Papi $3 for eight quarters and we both are happy. We don't have tickets either. It's raining off and on as I interview a few people. Still no tickets. I really hate this team. We get in line hoping to get tickets from those who did not sell on Stubhub. At 7:45 we get two standing room seats. It's 10-0 Sox already. I hate the Red Sox even more. We sit instead of stand. Great seats but very small. Texas actually comes back and pulls ahead 16-14 at some point. I am very happy. Boston wins 19-17, though, on a 3 run-HR by a jerk whose name rhymes with Dookalis. Most runs scored every in AL game. I hate the Red Sox. Did I mention this?

I get pulled over again on way back to RI. I'm not sure why, but I don't get a ticket. Not a good way to start the week and trip!

Next up: Pittsburgh's PNC Park.

Day 3: Shea Stadium, NYC; August 11

We are up at 7:00 and on the road by 7:30 to get to NYC. I have lots of errands to run before game: take my dog to daycare, pick up new contact lenses and deposit some checks! Hail and rain make me think game might not happen. I can't afford for even ONE game to be canceled. That's how tight my schedule is to get to all 30 in 45 days! Two hours before the game it is pitch black and hailing. Perhaps I should quit right now. We show up at Shea and it's still raining. I interview people in the rain. I buy tickets for $5 each as the Mets have a special promotion today. I am with my brother for a few days, and he is a HUGE Mets fan. We settle in seats MUCH closer to the field! The Mets blow 4-0 lead and lose to Pirates. My brother is NOT happy. The other Mets fans are ready to jump off a bridge. I am a Yankee fan so I smile inside. I run some more errands in NYC and pick up my dog, Sammy. We head to Rhode Island to stay with friends Janell and Drew, who will also be taking care of him while I am away. Next up: Fenway.

Day 2: No Game today, New Jersey; August 10

I leave Philly at 8 a.m. to drive to my parents in NJ. I actually have a wedding shoot in NJ today, which is fun. We do a same-day-edit, which means we edit some of the footage from the day and show it during the reception as a surprise! I own a video production company in NYC focusing on special events like weddings and corporate parties so I'm used to having a camera in my hand. Making a documentary should fall right into the skill set I already have!

I get pulled over on the way home from the wedding for suspected DUI. I wasn't drinking at the wedding, so no ticket....So I guess being tired and driving on a rural road late at night is a bad combination!

I stay until 4:30 packing and getting work done.

Day 1: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia; August 9

Today is day one of what I hope will be 45 days cruising the country and visiting all 30 MLB ballparks. Sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime trip, right? Well, not exactly. I did the same trip 10 years ago in the same 1997 Jeep Wrangler. This time the route will be different as will many of the parks, but hopefully not the result. In 1998 I did make it to all 30 in about 7 weeks- barely- and am ready to do it again. This time I will make a documentary appropriately titled "Twice-in-a-Lifetime". Please buckle up and enjoy the ride with me!


I live in NYC but spent the past week in Delaware with a friend on a vacation planned LONG before the ballpark trip. The ballpark trip has been been in mind for over a year but really didn't come together for sure until about mid-July....We arrive in Philly about 4:00 and check in the hotel. We get to the ballpark about 5:30. I talk to some REALLY fired up Philly fans for the documentary. Many complain about the team EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN FIRST PLACE! This is going to be pretty good! We buy tickets from a scalper at 7:15 for $20 over face value because I hear a guy say "we only have a couple left." It would pretty much suck if I didn't get in the first game on this trip! The plan right now is I'm pretty much going to show up a most parks without tickets. This should make things a little more interesting....The people we are sitting next to sold the tickets we bought to scaplers for $20 BELOW face value. God Bless America! This is my first time at Citizens Bank Park and it lives up to the hype! There are many highlights but the amazing crab fries from Chickie and Pete's really stand out as does the cool area in the outfield for fans to hang out....

Next up: Shea Stadium, NYC.