Ballpark Etiquette

No quote from yesterday’s game because today is a special blog post. I love walking around AT&T Park but sometimes there are days where fans forget there are other people at the game. I’ve attempted to condense the things that irk me into one short list because I love this ballpark and it would be fantastic if everyone could leave with the same joy that I have at every game.

Some things you should be aware of when you’re taking in a Giants game:

12. Do not stop in the middle of the walkway.

If you need to text, get out of the way. If you’re waiting for your friends to get out of their seats, stay to the side of the aisle. The kiss cam does not mean stop in traffic and make out until the camera finds you. Stay to the right when you’re walking, and if you forgot to grab clam chowder, make your way to the side and THEN figure out where the heck you are going.

11. If you’re a group of more than three, don’t take up the entire aisle.

It’s okay to walk behind your friends. Long lines of fans that spread across the entire walkway lead to frustrated people from both directions trying to dodge your group.

10. Keep control of your children.

If I had a nickel for every time a little kid ran into me, I’d be able to buy crazy crab sandwiches for everyone. Crowds like AT&T Park can be overwhelming for some children; please hold their hand or just make sure they aren’t about to run themselves into people or poles. I’ve seen both happen.

9. If you can’t walk down the stairs without literally gripping the side rail, you do not need another beer.

The last thing anyone needs is to be distracted from the game because some drunk girl fell down the stairs.

8. Don’t hassle the camera operator.

I personally don’t have to deal with this much. I use my phone so until they see my credential, most people think I’m just a weird chick taking random photos of people. Trust me, though, you have slim-to-no chance of getting on the video board the second you start tapping the cameraperson’s shoulder and getting in their way.

7. If you catch a foul ball, give it to a kid.

I’m not a big fan of this rule, but that’s how it goes at baseball games. If you’re a dude, you can usually get away with handing it to the female next to you. If there’s a kid begging you for the baseball and you hang onto it, there’s a good chance you’re getting booed.

6. If you throw a ball back on the field, there’s a good chance you will get thrown out. Your choice.

But make that choice quickly and sit back down. The rest of us would like to watch the next at-bat.

5. If an employee tells you to move from an area, MOVE.

Most ballpark employees do not come to the game hoping to tell some dude in a panda hat to keep walking. Signs are there for a reason. “No standing room only” does not equal “standing room.” Don’t tell an usher you’ll move, then return to your spot the second he walks away. You may not notice, but you’re blocking at least five people behind you that are actually following the rules.

4. There is absolutely no point in fighting at the ballpark.

Kids get scared, fans miss part of the game, and you get kicked out. What part of this is a good idea?

3. Do not wear gear of a team that isn’t playing there.

Why wear a Yankees hat to a Giants/Dodgers game? What makes you decide to wear a Giants jersey at an A’s/Rangers game? It doesn’t matter what ballpark you’re at; wearing a hat of a team that isn’t at the ballpark, or even worse, gear from a rival of one of the ones playing, is simply asking for trouble.

2. Wait to go back to your seat until the game is in between batters.

This is one of the rules most fans either love or hate. Both sides are understandable. Who wants their food to be cold by the time they get back to their seats? Still, it doesn’t take too long to wait at the stairs. Fans in their seats appreciate someone waiting until a batter is out of the box more than you know. Do you really want to be that guy that made the entire left side of view reserve 313 miss a Buster Posey home run? Of course not!

1. AT&T Park does not do the wave.

Above all, the number one rule I have for you: do not do the wave. It takes the focus away from the reason you paid for tickets, bought the overpriced beer and garlic fries, and got to the game by first pitch: BASEBALL. I could go on about the wave…but I’ll save that for another blog post. Just do yourself a favor: don’t get in other fans’ ways by standing up in the middle of an at-bat, avoid being brutally heckled, and don’t do the wave. Oh, and for the sake of all that is baseball, leave the beach balls at home.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions! Leave a note below or send me a tweet @itsallyduhh. Above all, go to the game and have fun, but be aware of those around you. They’re just trying to have a great time too.