What Is Your Game Arrival Ritual?

I was speaking with my friend Bill the other day about baseball (like we always do) and we got talking about people’s different rituals/habits when they arrive at the baseball game, and it got me thinking.

We know baseball players are as superstitious as any other athlete. From wearing the same socks or underwear without washing them, to always wearing a particular chain, to what they ate prior to a game, to all kinds of rituals for getting out of a slump, we all know some player with a weird or interesting superstition. I know if Gary Carter had a good game on the road he would eat at the same restaurant he did the previous night, hoping to catch the magic again. Superstition is very much every bit a part of the game.

What about us fans though? Do we have superstitions we follow? Do we have a pattern of what we do when we arrive at the game? Maybe you’ve never even realized that you do. Do you head straight to your seats? Do you HAVE to watch BP? Do you head straight for the team store? Do you get your food first? Straight to the restroom for you? What is YOUR game arrival ritual?

I have mine for sure. First off, I don’t have anything specific that I wear when I go to a game, other than I’m always wearing the gear of the team I’m cheering for, so in MLB I’m always in Dodger blue. Not that weird or different, but as I have thought about it I do kind of have a pattern when I go to a game.

It also depends on who is with me. If my 13-year old daughter is with me, it is pretty much what she wants to do, same with my wife. Both are pretty easy-going, so nothing too crazy, but they are my focus when they come with me. It usually involves getting food and snacks, and sitting in the seats.

Any other time, my pattern usually goes as follows (with one caveat, if it was a long drive to the stadium, I usually hit the restroom first): I show up to the game with about an hour to an hour and a half to first pitch. I usually go check out my seats first, just to see where they are, unless I have been in the seats I am sitting in before, in that case I don’t worry about getting to them too early. My next move is usually to head to the team store and see if there is anything I just can’t live without, or my daughter can’t live without… I also am on the prowl for a new hat on occasions where my current lid is wearing out.

Next, I grab some food. I don’t have something specific I have to eat. I know some always want to eat a dog, but I mix it up all the time. Now that I have my gear and my food I am ready to sit in the seats and take in the atmosphere. I always hope to be in my seats before first pitch, most of the time I am.

I asked some friends and family about their habits, and here are their responses, I have use only initials to protect the innocent:

FG: First check seat location to make sure acceptable. Walk the entire concourse looking for food options, drink options and eye candy. Browse pro shop and usually purchase nothing. Return to chosen food drink vendor and make a selection. Grab scorecard on way to seat with food.

Every time.

BC: It depends! If it was Yankee Stadium we would be hitting up the store first! (And probably a second time) then we usually go to our seats first so I don’t have to carry all the things before I know where I am going. So food is usually last and repeated during the game with us.

AJ: If it’s a first time experience I’d like to get there early and see if there’s any raffles giveaways or competitions to win free stuff. Particularly if I’m with my kid and we are there early enough. I’ll go to the area of the stadium where my seats are located but I won’t sit down until I use the bathroom and get refreshment for the first half. I’m not a big merch guy. If it’s an event I’ve been there before, especially frequently, I’ll get there later and head straight for my seats. I don’t indulge or spend too much money.

DC: I buy a Coke, then head to my seats to scope them out….then I’ll return for any necessary additional refreshments.

KT: Don’t go all the way to the seats, but just check to make sure I’m at the right portal and which side will allow for easiest entry. Cruise the entire concourse for best food options, and maybe some eye candy. Fan shop after the game, always. If a rare event or a good memory, I’m buying something. If a loss or mediocre placement in the memory archives, not buying anything. I never “leave early to beat the traffic”. I bought the tickets, we’re staying for the duration regardless of the score. There’s always traffic anyway and I like to take my time walking out and people watching.

Do you have a ritual or superstition that you HAVE to follow? Let us know in the comments and let’s get a discussion going about this. I think we can find some fun things, some crazy things, and maybe some new ideas to help our team!