Hey everybody let’s go home!
Posted by Vince Morales
I was at the game on Wednesday and it was a good time. Yes, the Brewers lost. I know because I was there and I stayed for the whole thing. It wasn't a bad loss though. The team fought til the end and had a runner on third at the end of the ninth that would have tied the game. Cameron did his best to fight off the tough pitches, but he ended up popping out. It happens, it's baseball. The point is that I got to see the entire thing play out. I got to see Hoffman take down his former team easily in the ninth. I got to see Prince get a big hit. I got to see Escobar steal a big base in the ninth. I got to see it all and the reason I got to see it all wasn't because I had good seats or because I am Ryan Braun's favorite blogger. No, I got to see it all because, and you are not going to believe this, I STAYED FOR THE ENTIRE GAME!
I know, crazy right? I bought tickets to a baseball game and I actually stayed for the whole thing and watched it. Not because I am like this crazy obsessed baseball fan who needs a perfect scorecard, but because the team had a good chance to win and I wanted to see them do it! I KNOW!!! RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look, it's your money and you can do what you want with it. After a really exciting 7th inning when the team pulled within one I had the good feeling that they were going to be able to comeback and win the game. After the 8th, when the team didn't score I still hadn't given up hope. Apparently everyone else did because a ton of people left after the eighth inning. Why? I have no idea. To me there are only three reasons to leave a game and they are as follows:
- You are forced to leave by security.
No real explanation needed here. So you punched a guy out in the Fridays, who cares? These things happen. - The team is losing by so many runs that you can't take it anymore.
Actually, I wouldn't even leave under this circumstance. I would just go to one of the bars around the park and hang out. I mean, you never know and you don't want to be that guy who left . How would you feel if you were an Indians fan at this game? Oh, wait I forgot they don't have any. Nevermind. - The game is over.
Of course, there are exceptions (like kids or wives or drunk friends) because there are always exceptions. Just know that "traffic" is not one of them. You aren't getting out any faster if you leave in the eighth or the ninth. It just doesn't make that big of a difference, time-wise. I realize that they don't sell beer during this time and I know that sucks for you, but really it's silly to leave. You bought tickets to a baseball game. You should try watching it, it's not like you have someplace better to be.
Here’s a hint from someone who violated one of the above rules (due to one of the exceptions – wife wanted to leave). You’re not beating traffic. It still takes 45min to get on the highway.
100% agree! (Then again, I’m one of those that will stay until the bitter end because I’m way too optimistic. Behind by 16 runs? We could totally pull it out!)
Because I moved to MN to go to school, I’ve seen many more Twins games in the past 3 years than I have Brewers games. I wasn’t aware of the extent of ‘early departures’ at Miller Park, but it’s pretty much a way of life at the Metrodome.
Twins fans would do well to read (and follow) this.
I also 100% agree. I’ve never come across a good excuse to leave a game early. (though I have watched a few games on tv where I was glad that I wasn’t there so I didn’t have to make the choice).
The closest I came was that Thursday day game against the Cubs at the end of last July, when they swept us and the crowd was something like 70% Cubs fans. We left our seats, but not the ballpark. It was painful.
I should note, though, that we sometimes leave our seats in the top of the ninth to watch the game from downstairs near the gate. When you’re taking the bus out of Miller Park, it’s always nice to be one of the first one on it. So we might *look* like we’re leaving early, but we’re not. I promise.
I was at that game with a 2.5 year old who wanted to leave….I was home to Waukesha in time to see the 9th.
1. You are forced to leave by security.
OK, so in Philly they don’t kick you out for this but I learned last season that the nice Mid West security will. Just go to the bleachers by the bullpen and try getting in the head of an opposing releiver. It was not a Phil’s game so I was supporting the Brew Crew. Now I did not even need to cuss or did I carry on for very long. An obnoxious chant of “Pinto…Piiinto…Piiiiiinto!” and you are GONE. Then you can leave as early as you like with no shame.
it’s because a lot of the people that come to the games really only want to tailgate to begin with, drink 30 High Lifes, come in and get their bobblehead or 20% oil change coupon and catch the sausage race.
i can’t recall who is in charge of marketing for the Brewers, although i have heard his name 100s of times, but he should be paid higher than any player on the field. he brings way more people into the stadium than Prince Fielder or Ryan Braun.
Maybe I am mistaken but I always thought that the people who left early were the ones who bought the tickets that are only good for eight innings.
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I can think of one reason to leave early: if the Brewers are up big, late in the game. If for some reason the other team comes back to win, you won’t want to see it. That happened to me against the Phillies a couple years ago when Wise/Cordero allowed 5 in the 9th. That was the 2nd most painful inning of baseball I’ve seen behind Soto’s 3 run blast in the 9th at Wrigley last year. I hate the Cubs.