When starting out at U.S. Cellular on Midwest 1 everyone was pumped and ready for the festivities and games to begin. For an added bonus the White Sox put on a firework show and added some music for a great effect. It was a wonderful display probably one of the best I had ever seen up until that point in my life.
They had big boomers and small shooting fireworks that lasted for a very long time. They did a wonderful job timing the fireworks with the music and just did a fantastic job. On Midwest 2 the next place to give us a firework show was Pittsburgh and I have to say this was my favorite of all times. Not only did they have a firework show for all their fans, but they had REO Speedwagon come in and play. All the lights went down in the stadium and off to the right the fireworks started going off. Then the next thing you know REO Speedwagon is on stage playing in front of you in the infield. They put on an amazing show and just when we thought it was over the fireworks started again and then back to REO. This back and forth went on for over an hour. So, not only did the fans get to see a MLB game but they also got to see a live concert and firework show. This was one of the best things i have ever seen a stadium do for their fans I was absolutely blown away.
The next night in Cincinnati they had a firework show also. It was no concert and firework show, but they did an amazing job. These were some of the biggest boomers that I had ever seen or heard. They were such a loud boom they made you shake and jump right out of your seat. Midwest 1 and 2 had many great aspects, but nothing better than fireworks in the summer while enjoying Americas favorite past time.
Well, unfortunately for the Reds fans or fortunately for me the Cardinals did win 5-3. Rick Ankiel put the Cardinals on the board with a two-run homer into right field, close to where I was sitting. The Great American Ball Park is a nice stadium a sea of red seats you feel like a true Reds fan. It is a small park, but I liked the smaller feel, you were right next to the players. However, this does make watching the game a little more dangerous, but if you stay alert and pay attention it is a great feeling to be that close to the field. This was the end to our Midwest 2 trip and it was a great experience and trip. I brought my brothers back to the stadium the next night for their first MLB game. They had a great time there were many great runs and we tried to sit everywhere in the stadium. Our favorite was on the third baseline towards the top of the stadium, because the sun was beginning to go down and there is a gorgeous view from up there. If you would like to see official stats from Friday night's game click 
My only complaint would be when you are in the outfield area it can get a little confusing to where you are supposed to go, but I found my way back to home plate. This was also such a great experience because we were in the fourth row from the visiting team, Cincinnati Reds, dugout. This gave us a great view of the players as the came in and out of the dugout and an amazing view of the entire field. However, being this close to the field along the baseline can be dangerous so we had to be aware at all times. Unfortunately, just like all the games before the home team lost again. I don't know if our group being there put a jinx on all the home teams, but the home team lost again. The Cincinnati Reds took the Pirates for a win 3-1. We were able to see Chris Dickerson, the rookie of the team, first career RBI in the sixth inning. To read more about the games or to see official stats please click 
We had a wonderful tour guide who was full of information about the team's history and the field itself. I was unaware that Progressive Field had a memorial area, Heritage Park, similar to the National Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. This area commemorates some of Cleveland's finest playeres throughout the years ranging from Shoeless Joe Jackson to Cy Young. It was great to experience Heritage Park since I am not very knowledgeable of Cleveland's past. Big League Tours guests were able to experience a suite, batting cages where guests saw Ben Francisco practicing, and dugout seats to just name a few of the big stops. Unfortunately, Cleveland's winning streak ended to Baltimore on Wednesday August 13th. The Indian's put up a good fight but in the end could not hold the Orioles who won 6-1. To see official MLB stats click 
the rest of our group for our Midwest 2 MLB road trip. We stayed in an amazing hotel, just a few blocks away from the stadium, where each guest got to stay in style with their own personal suite. This was a great way to start the trip and show our guests that we work very hard to give them first class accommodations in every aspect of Big League Tours sports packages. The Toronto Blue Jays came down to the Tigers Den to take on the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately, for the Tigers the the Blue Jays came to play and ended up defeating the Tigers 6-4. We had the privilege of seeing A.J. Burnett pitch his 15Th win for the Toronto Blue Jays. He had a rocky first six innings, but his teammates were there to back him up. They came back with a rally against the Tigers to win the the game. To check out the official MLB stats please click 
So, we chose for our Big Apple 2 trip a weekend that had something exciting going on at the stadium "Old Timers Day". Since this is the last year at Yankee Stadium it was a touching day for not only Yankee fans but all baseball fans alike. The Yankees invited back some of their former players to the stadium to thank them and congratulate them on all their success as Yankees and in their life. They had players from all different era's come back to the stadium including Reggie Jackson, Yogi Berra, Dave Winfield, and Rickey Henderson to only name a few. It was exciting and touching to see all these greats in one place to celebrate them and the ending of an era at Yankee Stadium. After announcing all the attendees the Yanks that were able to play participated in a few innings against each other. Allowing Big League Tour guests to see some of the best players from Yankee Stadium play. Although, some of them were a little rusty it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we were all glad to be there.
This was our last group tour to New York for the season and it was a bittersweet one at that for all the Yankees Fans. For our first game we went to Yankee Stadium on Friday, August 1 to see the Los Angeles Angels take on the New York Yankees. It was an extrmely close game until the end where the score was zero to zero unti he 9th inning. Then in the 9th when Torii Hunter of the Angels came up to bat against the Yankees closer Mariano Rivera staring each other down Hunter put his wooden bat to the ball and sent it out into center field. Hunter accomplished what no other player on either team was able to do the entire game hitting a nice single RBI sending one of his fellow teammates on their way home allowing the Los Angeles Angels to win the game in the last inning Angels 1, Yankees 0. 
As most people that have been to Cooperstown in June, July, or August know that it can be a little more congested with all the group tours, but it always should be at the top of your list. There is something for all groups and ages at the Hall of Fame. Whether you are wanting to learn more history of the game, see the memorabilia, or get a little bit of everything the Hall of Fame has it. I liked many aspects of the Hall of Fame but being an art lover I liked being able to see different pieces of art depicting a certain memory in baseball. Whether it was an abstract piece depicting a player hitting a grand slam or multiple paintings of fans in their favorite baseball stadiums. It was a great experience and I can't wait to go back!
What we weren’t expecting was for it to happen so early in the game! James Shield was the starting pitcher for the Rays and Coco came up to bat in the second inning and was hit by the pitch in the thigh. At first it appeared that Coco was just going to go to first base. However, that was not the case Coco through his gear down and charged the pitcher’s mound. Starting an uproar in the crowd and on the field he was outnumbered to begin with but soon each team was on the field including the bullpen! After the fight was broke up both Coco and Shield were ejected from the game. This was a great beginning to our MLB road trip!
