COI Invades Chase: Loosing Streak Continues

COI invaded Bank One Ballpark Chase Field last night to witness another disappointing effort by the Cubs against the hated rivals in the West, the D-Bags. Harden pitched a gem, going 7 innings and giving up only one run and striking out 10. Seeing Harden live was awesome, and he has some filthy stuff. Unfortunately that one hit was a home run to some no-name (his first ever). And that was enough the D-Bags needed to beat the Cubs, as they were shut-out by Randy "I can't lose to the Cubs in like 156 attempts" Johnson. I would more than surprised if Johnson wasn't #1 in HJE's Cub Killers of My Time.

But enough about the game. Being "lucky" enough to see the Cubs in my adopted hometown is fun, but unfortunately Bank One Ballpark Chase Field kinda sucks to see a ball game at. So here are the plus & minuses of that shoe-box the D-Bags call home, besides the fact that whenever the COI team goes there, the Cubs lose:

Plus: Jackson's on Third. This bar just down the street is the ultimate hangout before and (sometimes) after the game. Plenty of good beer on tap, lots of tables, bags, and even a Wii.

Minus: Beer at Chase is even more expensive than at Wrigley, and extraordinarily hard to get. Beer vendors are almost non-existent and you'll pay anywhere from $6 for 10oz of crappy MGD or Lite to $10 for a 20oz bottle of "premium" beer.

Plus: 75-80% Cubs fans. I've never been to "Wrigley North", but Chase has to be considered "Wrigley West".

Minus: Indoor baseball. Yes, it's like 105 degrees out, but still, baseball is meant to be played outdoors.

Plus: A decent selection of food vendors. Everything from sushi to Fatburger. What? Sushi doesn't belong at the ballpark? Get with it, it's the 21 century.

Minus: Every half inning there is another STUPID promotion or giveaway to entertain the fans. I understand DC having the President's Race or Milwaukee having the Sausage Race, but a Let's Make a Deal ripp-off. What?

Plus: The largest scoreboard in MLB, along with tons of interesting stats. Did you know K-Fuk was born in Japan?

Minus: D-Bag fans are entirely clueless to the game. They have to be told by the millions of electronic signs when and how to cheer. When the Cubs executed a sac bunt last night, D-Bag fans cheered loudly. Guess what, the hitter was TRYING to get out. That's why it's called a SACRIFICE.

Plus: D-Bag fans don't drink beer, so the lines for the bathroom are much shorter.

Minus: Despite all the signs and other "stuff" the park is pretty boring. It's shaped like a box, it's dimensions are mirrored in both the left and right field. There is nothing that makes it unique, it's like a cookie-cutter home in the suburbs.

Plus: Plenty of parking. And you're not going to pay anywhere near $30 for a lot. $5 top. And you're still within a couple blocks of the park.

Minus: Is this a ballpark or a day care center? Drop your kids off at the miniature version of Chase behind the center field wall to play whiffle ball. Or at the pool in right field. Or just let 'em run around freely. Whatever.

So even with the few "Pluses", Chase Field is mostly an boring and disappointing outing. I would never go there if they were playing anyone besides the Cubs. I feel bad for D-Bag fans, especially when they have an actually nice NFL stadium in the Pink Taco University of Phoenix Stadium.

Well, tonight another COI trip to Chase. I hope tonight's outing goes a little better. Apparently Lou is trying the no batting practice approach now.

"Tomorrow, we're canceling batting practice, and the next day we're going to cancel batting practice," Piniella said. "We're going to come out here and stretch and play. That's it. I'm tired of seeing balls flying all over in batting practice and when the [darn] game starts, see very little or nothing. We'll just go play and hope that'll get it done. We did it Sunday and it worked."

ARGH!

Go Cubs!
Share on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.