Royalty goes to Cincinnati, Ohio for the MLB Ballpark Pass-port Stampede!

Special Passport Stamp created by Stampeder Jeff Fiesta

A few months before the baseball season started, the founder of MLB Ballpark Pass-Port Program, Tim Parks decided that he was going to have his annual group meet up known as the Stampede at Great American Ballpark on August 5th free of charge as long as you had a Pass-Port book of some kind. Last year he held his inaugural one in July. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend. This time I was determined to make every effort to do so. Despite the fact the Mets were hosting the Dodgers at Citi Field that weekend, I decided I'll hit the road instead. Without Tim's brilliant idea, this wonderful group of people wouldn't even exist.

At the end of April, I went ahead & I made a reservation for a car rental. I also booked a few hotels in anticipation of the big weekend getaway. Three months later, the time finally arrived. After seeing a bunch of people from the group in Dayton, Ohio the night before I got to see three times as many in the Queen City of Cincinnati. I wound up parking the car I rented in downtown in a parking lot for the day around 11:30AM. I proceeded to walk over to Great American Ballpark, the home of the Cincinnati Reds where we had a day full of different events planned out for us.

Before I could even check in, I was approached by a gentleman named Jamison Speidel, who lives in the Columbus, Ohio area in a suburb called Pickerington. Back in June, he messaged me on Facebook. He asked me if I would be willing to back stamp his big Passport book from Yankee Stadium. He went there back on July 18, 2014 with his family. I told him it's not a problem. He wound up mailing me the page along with a picture of him & his family in their seats along with a copy of a ticket stub. Once I did the stamp for him, I sent him a picture of it. He was so grateful & appreciative. He told me he was going to talk to Tim Parks about getting me a gift for doing this for him. I didn't think nothing of it. I do things out of the goodness of my heart because that's truly who I am.

Jamison Speidel & I at the Stampede

When we finally met, I gave him back the page with the stamp. He gave me a little brown bag to show his deep appreciation for what I did for him. Before I opened it up, I thanked him. It wound up being a personalized stamp that said my name along the top of the circle with the date AUG 05 17 in the middle & my group nickname Stamp Champ along the bottom of the circle. He also got me a blue ink pad since he knows I like the Mets. Ironically I was given that moniker by fellow Stampeder Matt Angeli when we met up at Yankee Stadium back on June 5, 2015. I was caught off guard. I'm just an every day person who works hard. When I master a task, I just keep repeating the process to make myself even better at it. I always remember the saying, practice makes perfect which I learned in elementary school way back in the day.

After I finally got to check in, I got my name tag. I then had a line of people ask me to stamp their books with my new stamp. I gladly accommodated them all. When I got done, I proceeded to partake in the day's events.

My MLB Ballpark Stampede Validations

First up was the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. I got a special stamp from there then I walked around with my pal David Rothenberg aka Swag Man who decided to also pass up seeing the Mets at Citi Field that weekend. He left earlier in the week so he could finally get to some new ballparks he wanted to see. After we walked around & went down memory lane remembering the great history of the Reds franchise that goes all the way back to 1876, David & I as well as a number of others went outside to the batting cage to take some swings. I was all excited as I anxiously waited my turn to bat. When I finally stepped into the batter's box, I embarrassed myself sorry to say. After doing so, I said to myself, I better stick to stamping instead.

Group Photo on Field at GABP

Group Photo in Visitor's Dugout at GABP

After we finished, we wound up joining the tour of Great American Ballpark which started without us. We were having too much fun in the batting cage. Once we got in with the group we got to go up to the press box which is the best view in most ballparks. That's where the media who cover the game sit. They do keep the windows open there & occasionally foul balls fly in we were told so they have to keep their eyes on their work as well as the ball. After we spent some time in there, we went downstairs where we got to see the Scout Club which is a lounge area for the media as well those people who can afford to enjoy a game in style. After passing through, we continued the tour by getting the opportunity to go on the playing field behind the home plate area. We also got to sit inside the visitor's dugout which is located on the third base side. It was a cool experience seeing what actually goes on behind the scenes. When we got done, we went back into the seating area on the first level & we took a group photo.

Group Photo in the Stands at GABP

Shortly thereafter, we went back into the Scout Club again where we gathered for a question & answer session with former Reds pitchers Tom Browning & Bill Bray along with the Reds Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini who handles the business operations for the Reds organization. Before the session started, I walked around the area. I went over to as many people in the group as I could so I could introduce myself. It was great to put a face to a name. Some people came with other family members which made it such a special occasion for those particular people. After all, this Pass-Port Program was designed to share memories from generation to generation. Once I finished acknowledging those I was fortunate to see, I sat down & I enjoyed the festivities. I really loved listening to Tom Browning talk about the day he decided to walk over to the roof tops across the street from Wrigley Field in his uniform to spend a few innings with the people who were sitting there that particular day. I also liked that he said he had fond memories of when the Reds came to Shea Stadium to play the Mets. As for Bill Bray, injuries cut his baseball career short but now he's in the process of going to Law school & he said he graduates in 13 months. That's quite an achievement. I wish him all the best in his future.

Me & Fellow Stampeder Wayne McBrayer

Once the question & answer session ended, we were given the option of watching the Reds take batting practice down by their dugout on the first base side or we could have left the ballpark to get something to eat outside then return. I decided to stay inside. By doing so, I was able to meet & greet more people I missed in the Scout Club. I also had people sign my Game Day Passport book which has room for autographs. After spending some time with these people, I went up to the concourse & I got my passport book stamped at guest services. I then walked down to the team store with some other people in the group.

Since I was starving, I decided to go to the upper deck by section 428 where I was able to buy the All You Can Eat Food deal they had for $20. It consisted of five hot dogs along with unlimited pop, soda if you will, peanuts, popcorn & potato chips. I wound up eating three hot dogs, some peanuts, popcorn & I had a cup of pop. When I had enough for myself, I decided to share with others in the group. I proceeded to get two more hot dogs I was entitled to as well as peanuts, popcorn & countless bags of Lay's potato chips. After all, you can't just have one as they say. I managed to squeeze whatever I could into my bag & I proceeded to go back downstairs to section 111 row Y where my seat was located in short left field. Before I went to my seat, I saw fellow Stampeder Matt Luca who was in the handicapped area in his wheelchair with his Dad, David. I asked them if they were hungry. They said they were so I gave them the hot dogs I had along with some peanuts, popcorn & potato chips. When I got down to my seat, I wound up sitting with fellow Stampeder Kim Clift who I got to meet & greet earlier during the ballpark tour. She was a real sweetheart & I really enjoyed her company. I got settled in & I got my score book  ready for the game to start between the Reds & the St. Louis Cardinals. After I did that, I offered whoever was sitting around me some peanuts, popcorn or potato chips. It was hilarious as I started throwing bags of chips all over the place. It wound up being such a good time.

Me & Stampeder Kim Clift

As for the game we saw, the Reds took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when first baseman Joey Votto hit a solo home run. In the top of the third inning, the Cardinals went ahead when their rookie shortstop Paul DeJong hit a two run homer to give the Redbirds 2-1 lead. They tacked on a few more runs in the seventh inning as they went on to beat the Reds, 4-1.

Ballpark Stampeders

Ballpark Stampeders

After the game, I said goodbye to those who were sitting around me. When I got up to the concourse I saw a number of others from the group hanging around. We wound up taking a few pictures together before we parted ways for the night.

Thank you for reading & following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman                                         

                                         

Royalty meets up with other Stampeders in Dayton, Ohio!

Early in the baseball season, Tim Parks, the founder of the MLB Ballpark Pass-Port Program, told Sandy Helton Smith & Erica Reniff in our Facebook group that if they can round up 25 people he would buy a block of tickets for a Dayton Dragon game. I decided to be one of the ones who would be interested in his creative idea. Due to overwhelming demand, they wound up getting 54 people who wanted to go. There was even more than that but those people had to be turned away.

That game took place on August 4th when the Dragons were hosting the Great Lakes Loons, the Los Angeles Dodgers Single A farm team. I drove there with my pal & fellow Stampeder Paul Sanders. We were followed by his brother Greg & his nephew Alex who put us up for the day. After arriving at 6:30AM that morning. We slept until 1PM. We get cleaned up & we drove 180 miles to downtown Dayton. Greg mapped out the best route from his house in Belpre, Ohio with the GPS on his phone. We left there at 2:15PM & we arrived in Dayton at 5:30PM.

We parked our cars in a lot up the block from Fifth Third Field, which is the home of the Dayton Dragons, the Single A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds in the Midwest League. It was my third time going to that ballpark which I consider one of the very best in all of minor league baseball. They always sell out their games. I haven't been there in a long time so it was nice to revisit again.

Brixx Ice Co. in Dayton, Ohio

Brixx Ice Co. Menu

Before we went over to the ballpark, we stopped off to have a pre game meal right across the street at the Brixx Ice Co. which is located on the corner of Sears Street & First Street. Thanks to Sandy Helton Smith who recommended this place. I looked at their menu online. It was extensive & it also catered to children 10 & younger. I told her it was a brilliant idea. With that being said, we posted the details in the Facebook group. A good number of people gave their approval & we arranged to all meet up there. Since we arrived after many others were there already, I didn't get to take a head count of how many actually showed up. It was a great way to start the mini Stampede if you will. I got to see some familiar faces & I also got to meet some people I only knew online. The best part was when my pal David Rothenberg aka Swag man went out to his car & he came back with a gigantic bag full of goodies.

Here are some of the Stampeders that joined us at Brixx Ice Co.

Since I didn't get to eat anything all day, I decided that I was going make up for it by having three meals in one if you will. With that being said, I decided to order the Brixx Giant Bacon Cheeseburger. See the picture for all the details. Mind you I wasn't trying to show any one how much I could eat. I was hungry & I wanted to indulge. Some people had finished eating & they wanted to get into the ballpark so they had left. However, some others stayed including the Cantus, Cindy & David who I met in June when they visited NYC from Corpus Christi, Texas & they watched to see if indeed I was able to finish my burger. Needless to say, I sure did. I hate to waste food.

Brixx Giant Bacon Cheeseburger

My Brixx Giant Bacon Cheeseburger with Broccoli

Me eating my Brixx Giant Bacon Cheeseburger

After I finally got done, I walked over to the ballpark where I got to meet up with Tim Parks & others who gave us our tickets for the game. We proceeded to go inside. Before going to our seats, a group of us stopped off at the team store to get our stamp on. After doing so, I proceeded to duck in behind home plate on the lower level to see the game's first pitch. After doing so, I went to my seat in section 206 where I got to see many people from the group. I settled in & we all enjoyed the game together.

Stampeders Outside Fifth Third Field - Home of the Dayton Dragons

First Pitch at Fifth Third Field

Jose Siri of Dayton Dragons

David Rothenberg, Cindy, David Cantu & I in section 206

As for the game we saw, the Dragons lost to the Loons, 4-2. The highlight of the game was in the bottom of the eighth inning when Jose Siri batted for the last time with his league record 39 game hitting streak on the line. He was held hit less in his first three at bats. Relief pitcher Ryan Moseley of the Loons was working his second inning. His first pitch went behind Siri who took exception to it by staring him down. Siri eventually wound up getting a walk. On his way to first base, the benches emptied. Luckily cooler heads prevailed as no punches were thrown. Once play resumed, Siri stole second base & he went to third on a throwing error. He wound up scoring on a wild pitch. Unfortunately, Siri didn't come to bat again so his hitting streak came to an end. In that regard, we saw history.

Post game Stampeder Group Picture in section 206

Afterwards we said our good byes to each other. Many of us were going to continue the weekend in Cincinnati that Saturday. Stay tuned for a recap of how that day turned out in the Queen City.

Thank you for reading & following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman                                              

Royalty sees Tim Parks, Founder of the MLB Ballparks Passport Program at All-Star Fan Fest in NYC!

Back on Sunday July 7th when the King and our pal Dave Block from San Diego were in Cincinnati at Great American Ballpark for the Reds and Mariners, we met up with Tim Parks, the founder of a unique program that started in 2012.

Tim came up with a clever idea when he was traveling with his family back in 2009. He decided that when someone goes to another country they get their passport stamped/validated to show they were physically there. With that being said, he decided to come up with something similar when someone goes to see a live major league baseball game. As a result, he came up with an idea that can bridge the gap from generation to generation. He designed a compact book that's made out of leather & looks like a photo album from back in the day. On the inside, there's a loose leaf binder which opens up so you can take the pages in & out easily. You can also add new pages as new ballparks go up down the road.

MLB Ballpark Pass-Port  

These pages consist of a brief description of each team/stadium, a space for your official stamp/validation, a seating diagram where you can place the "I sat here" stickers that come with the book, you also get a set of ballpark stadium stickers that give a high resolution image so you can take a look back, there's also a ticket stub holder for you to keep your paper proof intact, as well as an area to write in pertinent details of the game you attended and a page where you can add notes from your experience. They will serve as a memory for you when you look back and/or pass on the book to another family member or friend for safe keeping. There are additional pages for autographs and special events such as the All Star Game, Home Run Derby and the post season.

It's an old school way of relating to people of all ages. In this day and age, we're all consumed by technology day in, day out. In order to appreciate this great idea, I strongly suggest if you're a baseball fan that you get yourself a ballpark passport book. They're available online for your convenience. Trust me you'll be glad you did. I was skeptical at first too.

Tim Parks at All-Star Fan Fest

Once I got the passport book, I've been having fun filling in the pieces. When I got to the All-Star Fan Fest, I came across Tim's booth. As a result, I saw him explain to the people firsthand how his great idea works. I spend a lot of time there getting an education about the product. As a result, I decided to get additional books that are designed for seeing 25 baseball games either on the major league and/or minor league level. There's one for each. They also come equipped with directories of all the teams so you know where they're located if and when you decide to take a road trip to visit family and/or friends.

I hope other people will follow my lead and start documenting their future baseball games.

As a seasoned veteran of sports travel, I know it's hard to start over for those who've been to all the ballparks already. Life goes on so why not do the same. Get a book and see how much you can fill in. You can always pass it on to someone else to finish it for you.

Happy stamping/validating!

Thank you for reading and following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman