A Great Day in Baseball: One Fan’s Epic Journey Across the U.S.A.

What started as a simple trip to watch a game turned into an epic adventure for Dave and his nephew, Mark. Join us on this journey of baseball, exploration, and family bonding as they crisscross the United States.

From Denver to Seattle: The Start of an Amazing Day

On November 2, 2016, Dave took a Qantas Airlines flight from Denver to Seattle, setting off to experience a day filled with baseball, excitement, and family time. Skip, the local guide, handed Dave a baseball bat pen and challenged him to answer an esoteric question, making the day even more memorable.

Games, T-shirts, and More

Emerald Queen Hotels and Casinos sponsored a t-shirt giveaway at the Mariners vs. Texas Rangers game, which Dave and Mark won. The game started well, but they had to leave early for their red-eye flight to Chicago. There, they picked up an early morning flight to Buffalo, NY. Despite not catching much sleep, the duo managed to attend multiple games across two states.

Minor League Baseball: A New Adventure

From Buffalo, Dave and Mark joined a Minor League Baseball train trip to Rochester, NY, where they attended a minor league game at Frontier Field. After the game, they caught an early morning train to Coca Cola Field in Buffalo, where The Buffalo Bisons played, further fueling their baseball enthusiasm.

Both a Game and a Night Out

Post-game, Mark suggested a minor league hockey playoff game in Syracuse. Surprisingly, Dave agreed, and the pair ended up with great seats in the front row on the blue line. The game was thrilling, adding another layer of excitement to their baseball-themed adventure.

Baseball, Cities, and Cultural Experience

The next day, they headed back to Syracuse for a night game. Afterward, they drove to Cooperstown, NY to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame museum. Seizing the opportunity, they then returned to Syracuse for another night game. These diverse activities not only kept them engaged but also deepened their appreciation for baseball and the cities they visited.

Beyond Baseball: A Family Bond

Through these endeavors, Dave and Mark have traveled extensively across the United States, visiting 10 different stadiums in Phoenix and suburbs, two in Tucson, one in Colorado Springs, Denver, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Memphis, Omaha, Des Moines, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville, Seattle, Spokane, Hillsboro, Eugene, Portland, San Francisco, Candlestick, Los Angeles, and Anaheim.

These trips go beyond just watching games; they involve museum tours, city walking tours, and even factory tours. The duo has built a family bond through their shared love for the sport and the opportunity to explore different parts of the U.S.A.

Going Beyond the Basics

Dave and Mark have big plans for the future, including a trip to Nashville, Asheville, and Charlotte in 2024. They also aim to plan extensive trips to New England, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., as well as shorter trips to Florida, Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, or Tulsa.

Challenges and Aspirations

Despite the complexities of team schedules and travel arrangements, Mark’s planning skills make the trips a reality. Plus, Dave aims to visit every state of the union. He has 35 states under his belt and plans to continue until reaching the 15 remaining states. He is also open to the idea of counting Puerto Rico as a state for the pursuit.

The Future Has No Limits

With dreams of traveling to Mexico, Japan, and Australia, Dave and Mark demonstrate that baseball enthusiasts are also world travelers. Their journey is a testament to the spirit of exploration and camaraderie.