Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

Parking price and efficiency: (Public transportation?)

I hate driving to Dodger Stadium. I hate parking at Dodger Stadium. I REALLY hate exiting Dodger Stadium.

They say location is everything. In my opinion, Dodger Stadium is in a horrible location. Dodger Stadium is located in a area called Chavez Ravine. It's a gigantic lot with room for one billion cars. Since this is LA, everyone drives to the stadium. Before the game starts, getting to the stadium isn't that bad. It's exiting that I hate. It seems that no matter where I park, every other car in the lot is exiting the same way. The exiting process is essentially shoving your way into the exiting line. People cut you off at every opportunity. I'm really surprised there are not more fender benders in the lot. You really have to experience this to understand how frustrating it is.

Ease of entering/exiting stadium:

Once you park your car, you make your way through the huge parking lot. Due to the exceptional parking situation, you need to cross at least two lanes of traffic. Occasionally, there's a officer to stop traffic. Otherwise, it's a game of "Frogger".

Do you like stairs? Well depending on where you sit at Dodger Stadium, you have to walk up multiple flights of stairs. The Stadium is built on a hill, so the stairs are necessary. Seeing as we normally sit in the cheap seats, we're grateful for the escalators.

Interior/Exterior look: (Design/Architecture/view beyond the stadium)

After all of the parking hassle, it would be a killer if Dodger Stadium was a bad stadium. Thankfully, Dodger Stadium is one of my favorite places to watch a game.

I'll say it again, Dodger Stadium is one of my favorite places to watch a game.

Dodger Stadium was built in 1962. This was in a time where the stadiums being built were multi-purposes, like football, baseball, rodeos and mass religious ceremonies. Dodger Stadium is strictly baseball, it may have a large seating capacity, but it features some of the best sightlines in the game. The combination of yellow, orange, blue and red seats is distinguishing from other places that have one color for all the seats.

The view from inside the park is spectacular. It's nothing really special, just the hills and trees of Chavez Ravine. It's great during a sunset. Sometimes less is more.

Signature food: 

Dodger Stadium is home of the 'Dodger Dog'. It's this ballpark's signature item. It's also disgusting.

 I'm not sure how the 'Dodger Dog' hubbub started. Perhaps it was the only thing served at the park when it opened in 1962. People probably gained an immunity to the Dog, drowning it's bland taste in mustard, relish and onions. The last time I ate one, I felt nauseous for 20 minutes after. Needless to say, we ate before we got to the game. 

Microbrew availability:

While wandering the stadium, I came upon a stand called "Beers of the World". I was expecting rows of beers from all over. What I found was Bud, Coors, Corona, Heineken, Dos Equis and Sapporo. Since these beers are technically, brewed here in the US, the "Beers of the World" title was mis-leading. The taps at the stadium do feature Gordon Biersh, which is a micro-brew. But I didn't have the $20 for a cup. 

Employees that knew who the starting pitcher was: (Bonus if they knew the opposing pitcher) 

Dodger Stadium employees went an impressive 2 for 3 in this category. The people I talked to noted that the starting pitchers were listed on the scoreboard during batting practice. Still, as long as they are informed, it's all good.

Music selection: (Signature song, variety, organ or PA)

Controversy has engulfed Dodgers Stadium recently. It seems the new management would rather bombard us with "OutKast" and "Jet" than let Nancy Bea and the Rolland organ entertain us. BAD MOVE DODGERS. On a side note, just because the new Dodgers owner is from Boston, doesn't mean I approve of him. He's a cheap, money-hungry bastard. There, I'm done.

Sara enjoyed the pre-game video of Dodger highlights set to the theme from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean". But she seemed indifferent to the "Dodger Magic" promo, which tied in the new "Harry Potter" movie with the defensive prowess of Alex Cora.

Seat/Section Quality:

Our seats were in section 124 in the Outer Reserve. Actually, our section was Aisle 124. The seating style at Dodger Stadium leaves much to be desired. I still don't understand it. Example, Dodger Stadium has "rows" instead of "sections" in their upper deck section. You walk down the Aisle, and find your seat. Seats 1-12 are on the left, while the seats on the right end with seat 113. But if you accidentally go down the wrong aisle, you're screwed. I've seen confused people wandering the concourse for hours looking for their aisle, desperate for help. 

 The seating at Dodger Stadium could be updated. The luxury is that the seats are spacious, with a acceptable amount of legroom. It feels like the seat will snap in half at any moment. That will happen when the seats have been subjected to thousands of different butts since 1962. They need to be updated. Also, there's no cup holder. I swear that a drink has spilled in my direct area at EVERY Dodger game I've been to. A cup holder would prevent this

Fan interest and knowledge: 

There were plenty of people around me at this particular game. I don't think any of them were actually watching the game. There were people on cell phones, people listening to the Lakers game on the radio, people chatting about their lives, etc. But the only conversation I overheard about the Dodgers was at the restaurant before we got to the park.

Dodger fans did the wave 5 or 6 times. I hate the wave.

Standard ballpark souvenir prices:

Dodger Stadium has the largest souvenir stands I've ever seen. There's nothing out there that they haven't slapped a Dodger logo onto. Prices are fine, but I think $30 for a Eric Gagne 'Game Over' shirt is too pricey.

Stadium Flagship Souvenir Store quality and unique souvenirs:

Dodger Stadium is home to the smallest souvenir store in the majors. It's so small that it feels like it's always packed. The lines for the registers always have 10 people in them at any given time.

With this being LA, the Dodgers have branded their logo onto the latest fashion trends. This week's trend was the popular Van Dutch-style hats complete with Dodger logo.

Never failing to annoy me, the Dodgers have those annoying $20, spinning light-thingies that you find at Disneyland. Kids love them. Yay for the kids.

Pre game ceremonies quality:

The Dodgers have at least 50 different pre-game ceremonies. It's seems they will honor anyone with a pre-game ceremony. This time we had little league teams and the C.S.C.A.

Most stadiums have one person throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Dodger Stadium has a Ceremonial Pitcher, Ceremonial Batter, Ceremonial Catcher, Ceremonial Umpire and Honorary Bat Boy. 

I hear they will add a Ceremonial Milton Bradley Tantrum Thrower. They'll let someone toss equipment onto the field and yell at the ceremonial umpire. The Ceremonial Umpire will then toss the Ceremonial Milton Bradley Tantrum Thrower in a separate ceremony.

Mascot/Pep Squad annoyance factor:

 I give the Dodgers credit for not having a group of young girls tossing t-shirts into the stands or having a mascot wandering the field.

The Dodgers were talking about adding a mascot earlier this month, but they scrapped those plans. But I think a pep squad is on their way.

Promotional item quality:

 No giveaway. 

Neat-o ballpark features:

It seems like newer ballparks are adding additional features to "enhance the ballpark experience". There are giant Coke bottles, playgrounds, ferris wheels and firework displays.

 Dodger Stadium features one thing, baseball. It's very simple, if I want to ride a ferris wheel or see a firework display I'll go to Disney's California Adventure (not really, but you get the idea). Simple is good in my book. I hope Dodger Stadium stays this way. But with better parking. 

Bathroom cleanliness and availability

 I usually try to use a bathroom at Dodger Stadium before the game begins. While bathrooms are plentiful, you never know what you'll get into. And troughs just aren't something I like to frequent. Ever seen a troth in a private bathroom? My point exactly.

Value of ticket: (Quality of team play vs. price)

If you like high scoring games by the home team, this was the game to attend. The Dodgers pounded the Diamondbacks 10-0. Not wanting to be subjected to any more abuse, we left in the 8th. It's funny how Dodger fans hounded us as we left the game. They're the people who leave in the 7th. Not that I blame anyone for wanting to sit in the Dodger Stadium Parking Lot jam for too long.

Dodger Stadium will always be one of my favorite places to see a game, simply for how simple the stadium is. Let's hope this wacky new owner doesn't change that.