Last year I began my quest to visit all 30 Major League Baseball ballparks and made it to seven— a pace I am trying to keep for the 2024 season. Though I don’t have a team I root for, I have fallen in love with the game and all the fun that comes along with experiencing a new team and their traditions.
On March 28, I took an early flight from D.C. to Cincinnati to take part in what I’d heard to be one of the best opening day experiences in the country. It did not disappoint. After a parade that took over downtown, we headed up Main Street to grab some pizza and beer before the first pitch later in the afternoon. Everywhere we walked it seemed that the whole city was alive and solely focused on the Reds.
People young and old wore their jerseys and t-shirts and hats as a sea of red and white descended on Great American Ballpark, which is situated right on the Ohio river. Though the game began during the work day, the stadium was packed— making it almost impossible to walk through the concourses to reach our section. Even in the cheap seats (I say that lovingly), the crowd was electric. A homerun in the second inning had everyone on their feet as the sun beat down on a beautiful spring day that smelled of hotdogs and cheap beer.
After a successful weekend in Cincinnati, I traveled to Miami to catch one of the Marlins opening weekend games. It was a much lighter crowd as the game fell on Easter Sunday (and the Marlins aren’t doing too well), but again I was gifted unseasonably beautiful weather to enjoy some baseball. The Marlins ballpark feels like it opened last year even though its been in service since 2012.
Adequate and easy parking and spacious concourses make the gameday experience one of ease. Its modern-ness seems fitting as the glitzy Miami skyline acts as the backdrop between second and third base. Situated in Little Havana, the game, from the food to the music, had a bright, multi-cultural flare that permeates the entire city. Just outside the ballpark free range chickens wander the brightly colored buildings as fans walk back to their cars ready to brave the Miami traffic on their way home.
A special shout-out to the friends who met up and traveled to make opening weekend so fun.