By Alyssa Littlefield, Zion Daniel and Samantha Lopez
The down economy has had a positive outcome for baseball fans in San Diego. For 2010, prices have gone down to make it more affordable to catch a game.
Depending on where you are seated, tickets range from $10 to $56 this year. For those 60 years and older, a discount is offered.
Baseball is the main attraction at PETCO Park, but during the off season you can attend concerts by well known artists and movie nights are a big hit as well. PETCO Park, is located in downtown San Diego, is surrounded by a great view and the well known Western Metals Building. This building is a part of the stadium itself.
Also nearby is the Gaslamp Quarter. It stretches over 16 and a half blocks and is a historical neighborhood. The main period of development was in 1867. Here locals and tourists enjoy shopping, fine dining and an abundant amount of events, such as the Mardi Gras festival. After dark there is a high attendance at the Gaslamp’s night clubs.
PETCO Park is one of the most popular spots in the area, with over 1 million ticket sales this year. Built in 2004 the park got its name from the animal supply store PETCO, which has the naming rights of the park. The Padres vs. Dodgers games are from July 27 through July 29 and the stadium is expected to fill up with over 42,000 fans.
The Padres and Dodgers are known for their rivalry. Los Angeles being the closest big city to San Diego explains why the teams are so competitive towards each other, said Josh Ishoo, a spokesman for the Padres.
Fans of the first place Padres were excited to be going to the game against their long time rival LA Dodgers.
People talked about the rivalry and how they feel about PETCO Park. Austin Bogdanovich, 11, from Orange County was waiting outside the stadium to go to batting practice before the game on July 27. Austin was excited that the Padres might have a chance at winning the World Series.
“They have been doing pretty well,” Austin said excitedly. “I think they might have a chance of winning.”
Outside of PETCO, about 40 fans were waiting in line to get tickets clad in their team’s gear. Megan Curry a diehard Padres fan was hanging out with fellow fans before the game. When asked about the rivalry she proudly exclaimed how she was impressed with San Diego’s baseball team this season.
“I don’t think it’s much of a rivalry,” said Curry, 25, of San Diego. “We’re number one. Take that LA!”
Fans come from all over California to see their team play in San Diego.
Betud Trego, 18, and Omar Ochoa, 19, were walking down the street outside PETCO Park about four hours before the game. Despite wearing a Manny Ramirez jersey and a LA baseball cap, Trego said San Diego fans were cool and the baseball park was a good place to watch baseball.
“PETCO Park is alright,” said Trego, of La Quinta, near Palm Springs. “The people are really friendly and the park is really clean and the location is great.”
Trego and Ochoa did not have to stand in line to try and buy tickets to the game, which was sold out. Ochoa’s boss, who has season tickets, gave him tickets to the July 27 game, which happened to be against the L.A. Dodgers, his favorite team .
“I’ve had these tickets for a month,” said Ochoa, also from La Quinta.
Visitors coming to the NABJ convention and who are staying at the nearby Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel can easily get to the park. It is about 1.4 miles away, and the games run through Sunday.
