Tx Rangers Guy

The view from the Ranger's bullpen.

Ha, our first game was in the 200's and this last one was the first row behind the Ranger's Bullpen. During our pregame stroll, I popped up to the stairs of a 300's section to see how the view looked. It's certainly better than TBiA. The climb from the bullpen to the concourse was much steeper than I'm used to. Not gonna lie, I was winded by the time I reached the concourse. And we walk at least 3 miles a night briskly most nights of the week. Ill report back once we try out an upper deck location.

DFW resident, we went to our second game at the GiLF Friday night. You pretty much nailed it. TLDR: Generic openable dome with a general lack of charm compared to The Ballpark in Arlington. After a group outing misadventure years ago at the The Ballpark in Arlington (TBiA) we learned to never choose third base side seats from about May to mid-September as it was completely unbearable. Couldn't even sit down during pregame and the early portion of the game with shorts on due to the heat of the seat. So far, 2022 is twenty 100° days into summer. Well, halfway through summer. So, the GiLF at a comfy anything below 90° with some air circulation is a win. A huge win. The food could be so much better than it is. It seems like the food was better at TBiA, but maybe that is good old day syndrome kicking in. I would think they could get some better restaurants in there similar to the original TGI Fridays concept at TBiA. It would seem like a good bbq or taco joint could work as a regular restaurant on non-event days and schlep out game day fare on a larger scale for events. TBiA didn't have many concerts through the years, beyond post game bits, but the GiLF is regularly hosting concerts, high school graduations and all sorts of events that could use decent food as well. Chuck Morgan's booth was one of the things he requested I think. I recall him talking about how it would let him have a better connection with the fans. As we wandered around pre game looking at our food options, we passed by and Chuck was outside talking to people milling about. We stopped by, our friend got a pic with him, he might've shook one more hand, and boom, within 30 seconds he was on the mic with pre game welcome etc. Several years ago he was at a table beside us at a local restaurant, without turning around I lean over and whisper to my wife that Chuck Morgan was at the same beside us. So, as someone who can recognize that voice literally anywhere blindfolded, getting to pop by and say hi for a second was really cool and unique. The decor is pretty drab. We compared it to a less than hip mall feel. But TBiA went through a series of updates over the years, so I imagine there will be some coming for the GiLF as well. Hopefully. It definitely feels more generic than TBiA with the brick and green iron work scheme that had charm and appeal that the GiLF sorely lacks so far. I think that is somewhat due to Tom Schieffer's driving influence on TBiA and the lack of someone like that being involved on the newer version. So far, 2 games in for us, it's nice to have air conditioning. Ok, it's amazing to watch baseball in air conditioning in July in Texas. Today the high temp is 106° with a feels like of 108°, so we'll deal with what it is vs could have been to not be sitting in the old charming furnace that TBiA was.