Opening Day, 2013

Opening Day of the 2013 Major League Baseball season was on Monday for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and once again, I was there for my sixth consecutive Opening Day. Honestly, it was something of a last-moment decision to even go this year. I was anticipating a meeting at work that would require me to stay late and I was tired from a weekend spent having fun with some friends. 

I actually didn't even purchase a ticket in advance. I just drove down, paid the cursory $15 for parking, and went find a scalper to buy an overpriced ticket in the nosebleeds. While I was walking to the stadium, I encountered an older man selling a single ticket and offering it for less than face value. I asked him where the ticket was, and he said it was next to him in the left-field bleachers. He wanted $15 for it, which was a killer deal, so I took it. He, his friend, and I all walked over to the stadium and went in together. 

Our seats were underneath the overhang in left field with a poor view of the scoreboard, but a very nice view of the field (as you can see in the pics above and below). The place was packed - an attendance of over 48,000 - and because the Dbacks were playing some great ball, it also got pretty loud. I suppose it helped that Julius and the Dbacks fanatics were in our section, which was fun.

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There was a very talented 16-year-old cancer survivor who sang the national anthem, and there was a short moment of silence for the Sandy Hook school shootings. I attempted to score the game, but after about three innings, my companions were more interested in talking to me than letting me focus on the same. I just had to give it up, and I went and got some delicious loaded nachos from the gluten free stand topped with beef, nacho cheese, and jalapenos and a GF Redbridge beer. 

As for the game itself, the Diamondbacks trounced the Cardinals 6-2. Gerardo Parra stole the show with three doubles and four hits overall as the leadoff hitter, and Ian Kennedy picked up the win after seven innings and eight strikeouts. Honestly, I went to the game more to relax than anything else, and I succeeded in that goal. It was a fun night for a last-minute decision to get out of the apartment after work. 

First of many games this season for me!