Scott Bell (30/42)'s Posts - Ballpark Chasers2024-03-29T11:33:29ZScott Bell (30/42)https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profile/ScootBellhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2187806315?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=368h1icd6jheo&xn_auth=noMLB recognitiontag:www.ballparkchasers.com,2011-04-23:1681163:BlogPost:595722011-04-23T01:53:36.000ZScott Bell (30/42)https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profile/ScootBell
<p>At the request of Craig (our founder and fearless leader) I'm providing a little more detail on the feedback we got from MLB upon completing the "Quest for All 30".</p>
<p>I first contacted MLB (Public Relations Office - NYC) in January, gave them the backgrund and asked if they would be willing to send letters of recognition to my son's (Ian now 17 and Evin now 16) for having reached this "milestone" at such an early age. They were pretty encouraging but did ask that I follow up with an…</p>
<p>At the request of Craig (our founder and fearless leader) I'm providing a little more detail on the feedback we got from MLB upon completing the "Quest for All 30".</p>
<p>I first contacted MLB (Public Relations Office - NYC) in January, gave them the backgrund and asked if they would be willing to send letters of recognition to my son's (Ian now 17 and Evin now 16) for having reached this "milestone" at such an early age. They were pretty encouraging but did ask that I follow up with an email. I did so right away (including placing a link in the email to my "Ballpark Displays" on the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ballpark Chasers</span> website) but when that email as well as follow ups in March and early April went unanswered I gave them another phone call last Thursday right before we left for Florida. Though they remained encouraging, they claimed never to have gotten the emails, were genuinely apologetic for the delay in feedback and promised to work on something right away.</p>
<p>Right after we got back from Florida yesterday a UPS package arrived (from the Commissioner's office in Milwaukee) and inside were letters on MLB stationary, personalized each to Ian and Evin and personally signed by Bud Selig. Also included were two official MLB baseballs, again personalized each to Ian and Evin and again personally signed by Bud Selig.</p>
<p>Pretty Cool !!</p>
<p>Though the particulars of our circumstance (a father and his son's doing this together at an early age, lost emails, etc.) may have contributed to Selig's attention, I get the sense that MLB is truly impressed by the passion and commitment it takes to do this "chasing' thing and are likely willing in other cases where the "Quest" has been fulfilled to produce similar acknolwedgements.</p>
<p>Hey - it can't hurt to ask.</p>Can we get a record?tag:www.ballparkchasers.com,2010-09-22:1681163:BlogPost:429062010-09-22T02:18:12.000ZScott Bell (30/42)https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profile/ScootBell
To everyone - but Chuck Booth in particular as the apparent "record keeper" guy for all this.<br />
<br />
When we complete our "all current ballpark" quest next April in Tampa and Miami do we qualify for anything?<br />
<br />
How about:<br />
Youngest to get to all Ballparks (Evin Bell - 16yrs, 2mos, 19 days)<br />
Youngest brothers to get to all Ballparks (Evin and Ian Bell - combined age 33 yrs, 4 mos, 29 days)?<br />
First father/son combo to get to all Ballparks in the 21st century?<br />
First set of three (3) males to get to all…
To everyone - but Chuck Booth in particular as the apparent "record keeper" guy for all this.<br />
<br />
When we complete our "all current ballpark" quest next April in Tampa and Miami do we qualify for anything?<br />
<br />
How about:<br />
Youngest to get to all Ballparks (Evin Bell - 16yrs, 2mos, 19 days)<br />
Youngest brothers to get to all Ballparks (Evin and Ian Bell - combined age 33 yrs, 4 mos, 29 days)?<br />
First father/son combo to get to all Ballparks in the 21st century?<br />
First set of three (3) males to get to all Ballparks without having a beer (they're too young and I<br />
don't drink)?<br />
<br />
Or is this something like the old Boston sports joke:<br />
Q. Who is the only person to play for the Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins in the same year?<br />
A. John Kiley - the organist at Fenway Park and Boston Garden (get it?)<br />
<br />
Well, it's worth a try !!!The Finish Line !!!tag:www.ballparkchasers.com,2010-09-22:1681163:BlogPost:429052010-09-22T01:09:02.000ZScott Bell (30/42)https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profile/ScootBell
2011 Schedule out - plan set - rooms booked.<br />
<br />
4/16 Minn at Tampa; 4/20 Pitt at Miami.<br />
<br />
That makes all 30 current parks !!!!<br />
<br />
Until 2012 then we will have to head back to Miami to add the new Marlins Ballpark.<br />
<br />
PLEASE - stop with the new Ballparks already (this is getting expensive!!!)
2011 Schedule out - plan set - rooms booked.<br />
<br />
4/16 Minn at Tampa; 4/20 Pitt at Miami.<br />
<br />
That makes all 30 current parks !!!!<br />
<br />
Until 2012 then we will have to head back to Miami to add the new Marlins Ballpark.<br />
<br />
PLEASE - stop with the new Ballparks already (this is getting expensive!!!)Ballpark Trip Displaytag:www.ballparkchasers.com,2010-07-29:1681163:BlogPost:317732010-07-29T23:55:39.000ZScott Bell (30/42)https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profile/ScootBell
A couple of months ago someone posted a question about methods of displaying tickets and other memorabilia from Ballpark visits. There were a lot of great responses (Maps with push pins, Souvenir cups on shelves, Programs and tickets in binders, etc.)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I can't seem to locate that post or I would respond there.<br />
<br />
I held off responding when I first saw that post until we completed this year's trip but am inn the process of posting photos of what we have been doing - creating framed…
A couple of months ago someone posted a question about methods of displaying tickets and other memorabilia from Ballpark visits. There were a lot of great responses (Maps with push pins, Souvenir cups on shelves, Programs and tickets in binders, etc.)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I can't seem to locate that post or I would respond there.<br />
<br />
I held off responding when I first saw that post until we completed this year's trip but am inn the process of posting photos of what we have been doing - creating framed collages for each Ballpark/Game with the tickets and some chosen pictures.<br />
<br />
Admittedly they are as much to capture my son's as they have aged through our "Quest" for all 30+ Ballparks as they are of the parks themselves, but I thought someone might enjoy them and might also decide on a similar approach - especially someone who is doing the trips with their kids/family.<br />
<br />
Only down side - I"M RUNNING OUT OF WALL SPACE.<br />
<br />
The quality is admittedly not the greatest (it's hard to take a quality picture of a picture) but take a look if you get a chance and let me know what you think.On Our Way to 24 through 28 (+)tag:www.ballparkchasers.com,2010-06-18:1681163:BlogPost:281442010-06-18T23:07:58.000ZScott Bell (30/42)https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profile/ScootBell
Specifically:<br />
<br />
Brewers v. Rockies at Coors Field (24);Sat, June 19-6:10PM;Section 221/Row 5/Seats 5-11<br />
<br />
Yankees v. Diamondbacks at Chase Field (25);Wed, June 23-6:40PM;Section 315/Row 11/Seats 17-20<br />
<br />
Rockies v. Angels at Angels Stadium (26);Fri, June 25-7:05PM;Section 260/Row K/Seats 12-14<br />
<br />
Pirates v. Athletics at Oakland Coliseum (27);Sat, June 26-7:10PM;Section 214/Row 4/Seats 3-5<br />
<br />
Tigers v. Twins at Target Field (28);Mon, June 28-7:10PM; Section 210/Row 4/Seats 11-15<br />
<br />
Pirates v. Cubs at…
Specifically:<br />
<br />
Brewers v. Rockies at Coors Field (24);Sat, June 19-6:10PM;Section 221/Row 5/Seats 5-11<br />
<br />
Yankees v. Diamondbacks at Chase Field (25);Wed, June 23-6:40PM;Section 315/Row 11/Seats 17-20<br />
<br />
Rockies v. Angels at Angels Stadium (26);Fri, June 25-7:05PM;Section 260/Row K/Seats 12-14<br />
<br />
Pirates v. Athletics at Oakland Coliseum (27);Sat, June 26-7:10PM;Section 214/Row 4/Seats 3-5<br />
<br />
Tigers v. Twins at Target Field (28);Mon, June 28-7:10PM; Section 210/Row 4/Seats 11-15<br />
<br />
Pirates v. Cubs at Wrigley Field (Revisit): Wed, June 30-1:20PM; Section 220-1/Row 2/Seats 8-10<br />
<br />
If anybody is at any of these games LOOK US UP!!!!Taking Kids? Add Amusement Parkstag:www.ballparkchasers.com,2010-03-08:1681163:BlogPost:214472010-03-08T17:17:32.000ZScott Bell (30/42)https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profile/ScootBell
Since you're out there anyway - especially with pre-teen/teenage kids - may I suggest joining both the Ballpark AND Amusement Park visitor cults.<br />
<br />
In most cases ballparks and Amusement Parks are relatively near each other and the "quest" to go on all available roller coasters can be as addictive as the need to get to games.<br />
<br />
In our case both are inextricably linked.<br />
<br />
Our past trips as example: (starting when my sons, Ian and Evin, were 10 and 9 respectively)<br />
<br />
2004 - Granby, CT to Hershey, PA…
Since you're out there anyway - especially with pre-teen/teenage kids - may I suggest joining both the Ballpark AND Amusement Park visitor cults.<br />
<br />
In most cases ballparks and Amusement Parks are relatively near each other and the "quest" to go on all available roller coasters can be as addictive as the need to get to games.<br />
<br />
In our case both are inextricably linked.<br />
<br />
Our past trips as example: (starting when my sons, Ian and Evin, were 10 and 9 respectively)<br />
<br />
2004 - Granby, CT to Hershey, PA (Hershey Park Amusement Park to Gettysburg battlefield to Pittsburgh (PNC Park and Kennywood Amusement Park) to Niagara Falls to Cooperstown and back.<br />
<br />
2005 - Granby, CT to Philadelphia (Citizens Bank Park) to Williamsburg, VA (Busch Gardens Europe Amusement Park) to D.C. to Baltimore (Camden Yards) and back.<br />
<br />
2006 - (trip a) Granby, CT to Jackson, NJ (Six Flags Great Adventure Amusement Park) to Bronx, NY (old Yankee Stadium) and back. (trip b) Granby, CT to Niagara Falls to Toronto (Rogers Center and Canada's Wonderland Amusement Park) to Detroit (Comerica Park) to Chicago (US Cellular and Six Flags Great America Amusement Park) to Milwaukee (Miller Park) back to Chicago (Wrigley Field) to Sandusky, OH (Cedar Point Amusement Park) to Cleveland (then Jacobs Field) and back.<br />
<br />
2007 - Granby, CT to Jackson, NJ (Six Flags Great Adventure Amusement Park) to D.C (RFK Stadium) to Doswell, VA (Kings Dominion Amusement Park) to Williamsburg, VA (Busch Gardens Europe Amusement Park) through the Smokey Mountains to Pigeon Forge, TN (Dollywood Amusement Park) to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom (Louisville, KY) to Santa Claus, IN (Holiday World Amusement Park) to St. Louis (new Busch Stadium) to Kansas City (Kaufmann Stadium and Worlds of Fun Amusement Park) back to St. Louis (Six Flags St. Louis Amusement Park) to Cincinnati (Great American Ballpark and Kings Island Amusement Park) to Sandusky, OH (Cedar Point Amusement Park) Sandusky, OH) to Hershey, PA (Hershey Park Amusement Park) and back. {the BIG one - 4 ballgames, 11 Amusement Parks, 13 States and 3200 miles in 10 days!}<br />
<br />
2008 - (trip a) Granby, CT to Largo, MD (Six Flags America) to D.C. (Nationals Park) and back. (trip b) fly from Hartford, CT to Seattle (Safeco Field) then drive through Portland, OR and down the coast highway to San Francisco (AT&T Park and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Amusement Park) to Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland Amusement Parks) to San Diego (Petco Park) then fly back. (trip c) Granby, CT to Flushing, NY (Shea Stadium) then back.<br />
<br />
2009 - (trip a) Granby, CT to Bronx, NY (new Yankee Stadium - rained out). (trip b) Granby, CT to Flushing, NY (Citfield) fly from Newark, NJ to Dallas/Arlington, TX (Rangers Ball Park, Six Flags over Texas Amusement Park, tour of new Cowboys Stadium) drive to Houston (Minute Maid Park) to New Orleans, LA to Atlanta, GA (Turner Field and Six Flags over Georgia Amusement Park) then fly back to Newark and drive back to Granby, CT. (trip c) Granby, CT to Bronx, NY (new Yankee Stadium - rain out make up game)<br />
<br />
For 2010 - Fly from Hartford, CT to Denver, CO (Coors Field and Six Flags Eilitch Gardens Amusement Park) then drive through Grand Canyon, AZ to Phoenix, AZ (Chase Field) to Anaheim, CA (Angels Stadium and Disneyland) to Oakland, CA (McAfee Colliseum) then fly to Chicago and drive to Wisconsin Dells, WI (Mt. Olympus Amusement Park) to Minneapolis, MN (Target Field and the Mall of America Amusement Park) back to Chicago (Wrigley Field) then fly back to Hartford, CT.<br />
<br />
For 2011 - Fly from Hartford, CT to Orlando, FL (Disney World and Universal Studios Amusement Parks) drive to Tampa, FL (Tropicana Field and Busch Gardens Africa Amusement Parks) to Miami, FL (Sunlife/LandShark/Dolphins/Joe Robbie or whatever they are calling it this week Stadium) drive back to Orlando and fly back to Hartford, CT.<br />
<br />
For-2012 - Fly from Hartford, CT to Miami, FL (new Marlins Ballpark) then fly back to Hartford, CT.<br />
<br />
At that point the kids are out of High School, they'll be sick of me, my back will be gone from all the roller coasters and I'll be broke from the trips anyway - SO I"M DONE!!!<br />
<br />
{Until they open new ballparks in Oakland and Tampa - or wherever the A's and Rays may move to if they can't get new Stadiums built}<br />
<br />
Who am I kidding? Since they keep building new stadiums and moving teams - I'll never be done!!Forget Pete Rose, WE should be in the Hall of Fame !!!tag:www.ballparkchasers.com,2010-03-08:1681163:BlogPost:214462010-03-08T13:48:02.000ZScott Bell (30/42)https://www.ballparkchasers.com/profile/ScootBell
Though it's clear that there are a lot of us with this baseball road trip passion, has anybody ever approached MLB about getting some form of recognition for those who do reach the milestone of getting to every Major League Park?<br />
It seems like something they would consider - we're certainly demonstrating a comitment to their product, we're dropping big bucks in their coffers and we're doing something as quintessentially American as - well "...baseball and apple pie...".<br />
I actually planned to…
Though it's clear that there are a lot of us with this baseball road trip passion, has anybody ever approached MLB about getting some form of recognition for those who do reach the milestone of getting to every Major League Park?<br />
It seems like something they would consider - we're certainly demonstrating a comitment to their product, we're dropping big bucks in their coffers and we're doing something as quintessentially American as - well "...baseball and apple pie...".<br />
I actually planned to contact Selig's office when we were wrapping up (wrapping up being a figurative term - it's become obvious to me that as long as they keep building ballparks this will NEVER be wrapped up) next year and ask them to send a letter or something that my kids can have for posterity - but if someone already went that route then why "reinvent the wheel"<br />
To be honest, it has occurred to me that this whole baseball road trip phenomena is getting firmly enough established that it might even be something the Hall of Fame would have an interest in. They are supposed to be the keepers of baseball history and this is no small movement. I've met a lot of people on the road with the same quest and NEVER MET ANYONE - avowed baseball fan or not - who when told what I was doing didn't say "...That's so cool - what a great thing to do..."<br />
Looking for feedback.