Description: The local team here is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The name is a bit confusing, since they were the Anaheim Angels before being renamed, and Los Angeles is 35 miles away. Aside from all that, Angels baseball is definitely fun to watch. The team has been in Anaheim since 1966 and is very much loved and respected by the fans here.
Angels Stadium is in Anaheim near where the 57, 22, and 5 Freeways meet. It's across the 57 Freeway from the Arrowhead Pond where the NHL team Anaheim Ducks play. The main entrance to Angels Stadium parking lot is off of Orangewood Avenue. Parking costs $8, but you can easily find cheaper off-site parking offered by some of the neighboring businesses.
A friend gave me a few of his season tickets, but my seats would have been $6 per ticket had I paid. I went to the Sept 29th game versus the Oakland A's. I sat in section 530, which are the view seats near the top of the stadium, which still provide very clear views of the action.
Being at the game is definitely different than watching it on TV. For one, since there is no commentary, you have to be aware of what's going on. If you turn your head for a few moments, you could be missing some of the big plays. It's fun to see plays develop in person, without the commentary telling you what's going on. In the eighth, we watched a double by Angel's Chone Figgins develop into an home run as the Oakland outfielder struggled to recover the ball and ended up slipping and falling. The energy of the crowd cheering as they realized what was developing was enormous.
Another big difference is the crowd appreciation of our Angels. Even though the Angels just got squeezed out of the playoffs this season, the fans still love them. It was another sellout game. Every time #15, Tim Salmon, came up to bat, the crowd cheered and gave him a standing ovation. Salmon is about to retire in 2 more games at the end of the season, and everyone wants to see him get his 300th career home run.
Every Friday home game is Friday Night Bang, which is a fireworks show with music after the game. This particular Friday Night Bang was quite long and very cool. It's was the last Friday Night Bang and the 3rd game until the end of the season for the Angels and the 3rd game until retirement Tim Salmon. After a video tribute to Salmon, the fireworks show went for a while and was waaay cool.
There are plenty of restaurants and concession stands around the ballpark on all levels, as well as plenty of restrooms. All in all, this is a fun, family oriented event and a really fun way to spend an evening.
The Angels are really a competitive team, 2002 World Series Champs and 2004 & 2005 Division Champs. Very highly recommended!
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