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Mariners Editorials: A Day at Safeco Field

By Galen Osier

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I lucked in to a couple of tickets to a recent Mariners game; my first of the year.  And I thought I’d write about it here.  A little break from the norm as I won’t be talking about wOBA, lefty-righty splits, or anything like that.  I thought that I’d mix things up a little bit and talk about my experience at the park.

First off let me say that I don’t go to see enough ballgames.  For whatever reason, finances, time constraints, or what have you; I don’t see more than a handful of games in a season.  And it’s really a shame because regardless of what the Mariners are doing on the field there’s always something special about visiting Safeco Field.

We arrived at the ballpark about 20 minutes after the park opened and fans were still crowded along Occidental Ave as we headed through the gates.  I want to take a moment to mention how much I enjoy the atmosphere on Occidental Ave on game day.  It gets crowded with vendors selling kettle corn, hot dogs, pizza, and all sorts of other ballpark appropriate comestibles.  And in a few vendors playing music, the music pouring out of the adjacent bars, and on this particular occasion two young girls singing gospel music, and you have quite the sensory overture to a ballgame.

We entered the park, received our Fernando Rodney bobbleheads (one of which was already earmarked for a friend of ours, a passionate Mariners fan who quite possibly might have murdered us had we forgotten to get it for her).  And then rather than head to our seats we decided to just wander around, people watch, and take in the atmosphere of the park.

It is perhaps due to recent feelings of optimism, or possibly the gloriously sunny day, or even the aforementioned bobblehead, but the park was brimming with fans that day.  Quite a departure from other recent games I’ve attended where the crowd was much more sparse.  The park changes character when it’s full of fans.  It’s a livelier and perhaps, happier place.

After taking in the sights for a while, we decided to head on up to the Hit It Here café to see if we could find a seat and quell the hunger that had been growing since we passed by all the food stands outside the park.  The place was packed, of course, but we put our names on the waiting list, got our little electric buzzer thing, and sat on a bench outside the café.

It is here, dear readers, that I will share with you something I learned that day.  The concourse right outside the café is a lovely spot from which to watch the game.  A great view of the field, not too crowded, and it’s covered.  A little tip from me to you.

It’s while I was waiting there at the rail looking out on the field that I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see the smiling face of a friend of mine.  This is something else that I love about the ballpark.  You never know who you’re going to bump into.  Neither of us knew that the other was going to be at the game, we just happened to bump into each other.  We chatted for a while until his little electric buzzer thing told him that his table was ready and he and his friend headed inside.

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He returned a moment later and told us that he’d been seated at a table for four and that we should come sit with them.  So we did, and we talked, laughed, talked baseball, and had a generally fantastic time.  We parted ways after the meal and each resumed our own ballpark adventures.

My partner and I then made what’s become something of a traditional pilgrimage when we visit the park.  We went and said hello to statue of Dave Neihaus that sits in the outfield concourse.  I had my picture taken with him, like I do, gave him a hug and went on my way.

We eventually made our way to our seats and watched the game.  The Mariners won, the crowd cheered, and it was wonderful.

Another adventure at the ballpark.

Next: Mariners Game Recap: Padres Win 4-2 in Series Finale

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