I’ve never actually been to a Major League Baseball game, but when I saw that the St Louis Cardinals were playing the Cincinnati Reds while I was in St Louis, I thought I’d check it out.  I went to the Busch Stadium web site and picked out a very nice $15 nosebleed seat for my belated foray into baseballic Americana.  It was surprisingly easy to get in and there was even an elevator to the remote region of the cheap seats.

I was actually rather pleasantly surprised when I got to my seat.  I had been hoping to get a good overall view looking down on the stadium, and oddly, that’s exactly what I got.

The main scoreboard was also right next to me, so I could occasionally attempt to understand what was happening.

I think it was the bottom of the fifth inning, with still no runs on the board for either team, that I decided to try to make the experience a bit more exciting by getting an old fashioned American hot dog and Cracker Jack.  It looks a bit messy, but this actually tasted pretty good.

I may have been dozing a bit, but at some point a boy’s baseball team moved into the seats in front of me, and watching them dare each other to do stupid things kind of livened up the evening.  For a bit.

At the bottom of the seventh inning, when Cincinnati had scored one run and the Cardinals none, I finally remembered why I’ve never been to a baseball game before.  Baseball is boring.  I was also cold, so I left.  I stopped to check out the lower level on my way out, and although you are closer to the action there, I stand by my decision of getting a broader view up above.

It was only when I was walking away from the stadium that I discovered the sports bar across the street.  It was warm.  There were big screens so you could actually see the action (when there was action).  You could get food and drink without waiting in line a half hour, and there was no line for the ladies room.  Huh.  Baseball could almost be interesting this way.

The final score was Cincinnati 2, St Louis 0.  Oh well.  I’m glad I went, just for the experience.  It was a pleasant, if somewhat sleep-inducing way to spend an evening.