The Cheap Seats

When seated out in the right field bleachers, I wind up looking at the scoreboard more often than at home plate. I'm not complaining, just making an observation. The diehard bleacher fans now wave giant green or yellow Oakland Athletics flags every time a home team batter comes to the plate. It's a sad substitute for the old left field drum corps with their beats and chants. It seems they went away when Miguel Tejada left for Baltimore.

On Tuesday, I attended my sixth baseball game of the 2004 season. Thanks to Barry Zito and Eric Chavez, the Athletics held on to beat the Tigers by a score of 5-4. I had a personal five-game losing streak going in and it took a close contest to snap it.

This year, I've alternated between eating standard stadium food (read: hot dogs) and less traditional items. At SBC Park, I haven't tried the sushi or edamame, but have enjoyed their clam chowder in a bread bowl and rice and beans with salsa. At the Coliseum, I tried their tofu burger and thought it was so-so. The downside of baseball gourmet is the price. $7.50 for clam chowder and $3.00 for coffee tends to diminish one's appetite. Since the ballparks allow it, I might bring my own food next time. I don't know why, but I think it would be hilarious (and cheaper) to break out some dim sum, tea and chopsticks while sitting in the stands.

We like beer flat as can be
We like our dogs with mustard and relish
We got a great pitcher what's his name
Well we can't even spell it
We don't worry about the pennant much
We just like to see the boys hit it deep
There's nothing like the view from the cheap seats

- "The Cheap Seats" by Alabama