Los Angeles Dodger girl at Orioles game equals NO

       

I was born a Los Angeles Dodger fan- always was, and always will be. Going to baseball games as a child was always fun for me- fans singing the "Take me out to the ball game" song, my dad's beer spilling everywhere while cheering for the team, throwing a fist in the air, screaming, "CHARGE!" eating delicious Dodger dogs, and hitting people with beach balls in our seating section.

Coming to Washington, D.C. to study for a semester has been a new experience, but most definitely somewhat stretching, since I won't be able to attend a Dodger game. It has been three months that I’ve been to a game, and when I arrived to D.C., I thought, "It's time to recharge.”   When I found out that WJC director, Terry Mattingly, planned to take WJC students to a Baltimore Orioles game the first week of classes, I was relieved.

On game night, I decided to not wear my Dodger gear, because who knows, I might get shot.

The class walked to Union Station to catch an Amtrak train. Now, this was my first time ever on a train and I was a bit nervous, to be honest. As I took my first steps ever on the train, I could feel my heart palpating faster and faster, and when I sat on my seat, I searched for my seatbelt. "Oh my Lord, I am going to die," were my immediate thoughts. There were absolutely no seatbelts! The worst part was that there were no handles, hooks, latches or poles (like the Metro) to hold onto! "Oh well," I thought, "I know where I'm going if I die in this train tonight."

As we were approaching the stadium, I thanked God that we arrived safely. 

After purchasing a $6 student discount ticket, I ventured out to look for the amazing crab cakes a friend had suggested that I try. After walking 500 miles to the other side of the stadium, I found them. Unfortunately, it was a bit too expensive, so took a picture of them instead. As I look up after taking a snap, and I see the cooks giving me blank, confusing stares with raised eyebrows. With a grin, I slowly started to walk backwards and disappeared into the crowd. 

Getting on the escalator while balancing my hot food tray in my hands and reading my seat section on my ticket, simultaneously reciting the National Anthem with my right hand on my heart was a HUGE challenge.  

I started to note that the atmosphere at the L.A. stadium is livelier- waves that actually go all around the crowds, better music, and the screens display true L.A.  fans acting crazy and not blank-staring without any orange paint or gear on.  

Music at National League baseball games is something most fans, like myself, look forward to. The Dodger games always have the most recent upbeat, urban, Latin and classic rock music that makes you want to get up and dance. As an observer, and not much of a fan of the Orioles, I noticed that the majority of the music being played at the game was country. Rosa, my roommate, and I looked at each other and raised our eyebrows.  

Baltimore was losing, and there seemed to be no hope. After Texas Ranger, Nelson Cruz, dashed a home run, I tried to keep my hopes up for Baltimore, but at 9:45 PM, I learned that the Orioles had lost 5-1 to the Texas Rangers. They lost BIG TIME.  

All in all, sitting at a baseball stadium on the other side of the country cheering for a team I never knew existed was out of the ordinary. The nerve-racking train ride, crab cake picture-taking, and the 500-mile walking is something I will never forget. I have to admit, though, I did enjoy myself even though it was not a radical Dodger game.

Comments

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Right On Sis, really nice article! Man,this article truly proves that Dodgers are truly your type of blood. Type Blue D' lol. I am surprised that they sold crab cakes there.... and i'm not surprised that they were a bit pricey. I believe that everything at a stadium is overpriced, but a dodger dog is always on the money =) no doubt.

As far as the train rides, it's a bit scary huh!? I rode the metro in S.F and that was a bit scary too, loud, fast and nothing could stop it once it starts.. Thank God we are in his hand when we travel any where anytime.

I am really happy that you found someone as your teacher to take all of you to the game that is really coo' and super cool that you were able to get a discount for tickets! how cool is that??

I'm glad that you enjoyed your time there, that is really what is all about, go and enjoy all you do when you are somewhere different.

I hope to hear more of your exciting trips and clever stories that happen as you go. This is a very vivid way of explaining all you do, I could picture in my head an Orange Wave by the fans at the game, a weak one though ha ha ha, A true wave is always blue! just like the sea!

love ya' Sis, happy to have read this, I thinnk I'll wear my dodger blue colors today and be proud of our team =)