Laughter In The Rain

Texas Bowl 2010 Illinois v Baylor, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Neil Sedaka was surely thinking of the Baylor Bears, as they proved once again that they are not ready for prime time. Illinois wins in a laugher at Reliant Stadium. Texas Bowl 2010. Image by Gary P Smith.

Blue Skies, Seattle, And Flight 167

Safeco Field and Qwest Field, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Safeco Field and Qwest Field from my roving photo-hog Steve Edwards, aboard Flight 167 over Seattle. Great shot from The Man on the Wall. December, 2010.

A Thought From Rogers Hornsby

Long Winter, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and I wait for spring." --- Rogers Hornsby. Image by Gary P Smith.

The Red Zone

Red Zone, Scoreboard, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This shot was taken during a stadium tour this past May (2010) of the University of Phoenix Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona. The grass field sits outside adjacent to the stadium and is rolled in on tiny tracks on game day. Image by Gary P Smith.

The People Side of Baseball: "Waiting For Guffman"

Camera Roost, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The camera crew enjoys the pre game repose as the regular "Guests" shuffle in. A benign and arcane image by Gary P Smith, September, 2010.

Texas Rangers, 2010 American League Champions

Entrance to Rangers Clubhouse Field Level, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Entrance to the Rangers clubhouse from field level at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. From Rangers Ballpark tour, June, 2010. Image by Gary P Smith.

Wally The Green Monster

Wally the Green Monster, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

According to the Red Sox promotions department, Wally was a "huge" Red Sox fan who decided to move inside the left field wall (in 1947) of Fenway Park since it "eats up" hits that would easily be home runs at other parks. He was very shy and lived the life of a hermit for 50 years. On the 50th anniversary of the "Green Monster" in 1997, he came out of the manual scoreboard and has been interacting with players and fans ever since. Image taken by Gary P Smith at Fenway Park.

No Amber Alert Needed For Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols # 5 He's Everywhere, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This image was captured in the Cardinal's store in the Union Station Mall. It seems Albert is almost everywhere you go in St. Louis. September, 2010.

Burgers And Fries And Redbird Pies

Hardees Upper Deck Busch Stadium, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Life On The Mississippi

Game Day At Busch, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Not what Mark Twain envisioned, but this view would have caught his attention during his days as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. Image by Gary P Smith. From "Breathtaking Views" collection. September, 2010.

Busch Stadium, St Louis

Busch Stadium, Third Base Entrance, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The red brick facade and the miniature metal arch frame the iconic Stan Musial statue at the third base entrance. September 17, 2010, by Gary P Smith.

Heavy Metal

Busch Stadium Set #2, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Gateway Arch frames the right filed pavilion and The Millennium Hotel behind the toothbrush style lighting in Busch Stadium. Unique image by Gary P Smith. September 18, 2010.

The Spirit of St Louis

The Spirit of St Louis, Albert Pujols, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The scoreboard at Bush Stadium heralds the most prominent native son of St Louis since Charles Lindbergh completed his famous solo flight. Cardinals v Padres, September, 2010. Image by Gary P Smith.

"Go Get'em Next Time"

Post Game Busch, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Actually, Bob Uecker once said "I led the league in "Go get'em next time." Theres always tomorrow's game in baseball. Post game image from St Louis by Gary P Smith, September, 2010.

Nightfall at Busch

Nightfall at Busch, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

A beautiful view of downtown St Louis taken from the first base side of Busch Stadium as dusk sets in. Image by Gary P Smith. September, 2010.

"Silhouettes On The Shade"

Stan's Silhouette, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Stan Musial's menacing silhouette, taken from inside Bush Stadium, appears to be swatting fly balls through the intersection and toward the Interstate. Image by Gary P Smith. Song by Herman's Hermits.

"Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?"

Busch Stadium, Friday, September 17, 2010., originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Shadows devour the infield of Bush Stadium in St Louis as the iconic skyline basks in the sun. Cardinals v Padres. Image by Gary P Smith, September, 2010.

Standing On The Corner

Van Buren Avenue, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

In downtown Phoenix, the Bank of America tower looms over Chase Field. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2010

Nationals Park, Washington, DC

Nationals Park, Capitol, Wash DC, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The dome of the Capitol building can be seen from the left field bleachers at Nationals Park. August, 2010.

"The Heat Was Hot And The Ground Was Dry" America, "Horse With No Name"

Nationals Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Grounds keepers scurry about in preparation for Nationals v Cardinals at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Image by contributing photographer Jake Hubbell, August, 2010.

Caught Red Handed in DC

Red Porch Nationals Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The "Red Porch" is located in centerfield at Nationals Park, home of the National League Washington Nationals. The plush red seats offer a unique view of the game. Image by contributor Jake Hubbell. August, 2010.

The Crawford Boxes

Minute Maid Park Crawford Boxes, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Crawford Boxes are located in left field in Minute Maid Park with one of the shortest porches in baseball. The home-plate-to-wall measurement of the boxes is only 315 feet. Due to their popularity, Crawford Box seats are among the most expensive of outfield seats in the major leagues. Image by Gary P Smith.

"Don't Cross The Water If You Can't Swim The Tide"

PNC Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

A look back at one of America's finest baseball parks, PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Image by Gary P Smith.

"For the times they are a-changin'." Bob Dylan

Only in Phoenix, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

70's night at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Image by Gary P Smith. May, 2010.

A Little Fun With Baseball, Health Insurance, and Music trivia

Gary P Smith by David Bamberg, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Cartoonist David Bamberg (DavidBamberg@comcast.net) "doodles" for dollars at the 290 Cypress Business Networking Group. His unique caricature of Gary P Smith, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas insurance agent, was captured as Gary combines medical insurance, baseball, and music trivia at a recent meeting.

Give A Big Hand

A Hand Out at Kauffman, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Kauffman Stadium attendants prepare to distribute "handouts" at the Royals-Cardinals game in Kansas City. By Gary P Smith. May, 2005.

Rangers Ballpark in its Panoramic Splendor

Rangers Ballpark From Press Box, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Arlington, Texas, by Gary P Smith. June 2010.

Backstage at the Ballpark.

Rangers Tunnel Field to Clubhouse, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This "tunnel" stretches from the Texas Rangers' clubhouse to the playing field at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Just a walk in the park. Image by Gary P Smith, June 2010.

Ron Washington's hot seat.

Manager's Perch in Dugout., originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Texas Rangers' manager was on probation for testing positive for drug use. The manager's seat is located a few steps above the dugout bench at field level. From Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. June, 2010.

Would Indiana Jones eat here?

"Doubleheaders" in Chase Field, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The famous movie line: "Snakes,,,,,,I hate snakes." This baseball venom rattler can be found inside Chase Field in Arizona. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2010.

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy: July 4, 2010

Fenway Park Revolutionary, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

A lone revolutionary performs outside Fenway Park amid signs that remind us of the many restrictions our government places on us today. Image by Gary P Smith.

The Fourth of July: America's Pastime

Main Entrance, Great American Ballpark, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Red's fans await entrance to our country's greatest pastime. Most "patriotic" ballpark name in America award goes here in Cincinnatti. Image by Gary P Smith.

Working Nine to Five

On Field. Centerfield., originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington features a four-story office building beyond center field. Image by Gary P Smith, June, 2010.

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Texas architecture is featured throughout Rangers Ballpark. The granite and brick facade at the home plate entrance is featured in this image.

On The Road Again

On The Road Again, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This group of torso mannequins enjoy fellowship along the quiet concourse at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington while the team is away. Image by Gary P Smith. June, 2010.

"When You're Alone and Life is Making You Lonely, You Can Always Go, Downtown."

Pittsburgh, Voted in top 13 Most Stunning City Skylines, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Can't get enough of this view from July, 2009. PNC Park and downtown Pittsburgh. This view rated by Forbes Traveler's in top thirteen most stunning city skylines in the world.

Behind The Scenes At Fenway Park

"Behind the Scenes" Fenway Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Prudential tower in downtown Boston peeks through the clouds as fans mingle amid the outfield recesses of this iconic ball park. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2003.

Prime View From America's Top Rated Ball Park

PNC Park Redux, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

PNC Park is rated as the best in the Major League by USA Today and ESPN.com. Image taken in 2009.

"Do You Know The Way To San Jose?"

PNC Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The way to PNC Park is across the Roberto Clemente Bridge which spans The Allegheny River in Pittsburgh. From 2009 visit. Gary P Smith.

PNC Redux Part Deux

PNC Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

From the other side of the Allegheny River on a lazy Sunday morning before an afternoon game. July, 2009

The People Side of Baseball: The Fans

PNC Park (The Fans), originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

"Build it and they will come?" What if they didn't? Ray Monroe shown here with a couple of Penn State football players outside PNC Park, Pittsburgh. Image by Gary P Smith, July, 2009.

PNC Park, Redux

PNC Park Honus Wagner Home Plate Entrance, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This image features the Honus Wagner statue at the front entrance of the ballpark. However, more fans enter the park through the outfield gates, from the Allegheny River Bridge. July, 2009.

The Yankees Are Coming

Scoreboard Promotion of Diamondbacks v Yankees., originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Always a good time to raise ticket prices for the most successful team in Major League Baseball.

The People Side of Baseball: Samantha

Chase Field Hostess Samantha, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Samantha, a freshman at Arizona State University, and a Chase Field "hospitality greeter", presents my fellow traveler Ray Monroe with a Diamondback's T-Shirt. Her goal was to make us favor her ball park over all others. We might forget some details about Chase Field, but we'll remember Samantha for a long time. Keep smiling Samantha!

Chase Your Blues Away

Chase Field (Photo Flash Image Nominee), originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

An early Sunday morning image of an "If you build it they will come" monument in the desert. Arizona's Chase Field in all of its splendor. Image by Gary P Smith, May 23, 2010.

'Baseball, A Family Tradition' Statue

Chase Field, Phoenix, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This image of the statue outside of Chase Field represents baseball as a family tradition. Taken by Gary P Smith, May 21, 2010.

Batter Up!

Chase Field, Phoenix, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Oversize bats greet fans at Chase Field.

"Do Not Drive on Tracks"

Train Station (Jefferson St) and Chase Field, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Chase Field looms in the background in this view from US Airways Center. The Jefferson Street train station is in the foreground. Unique image by Gary P Smith, May 22, 2010.

She Wore an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

Swimming Pool at Chase Field, Phoenix, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This small swimming pool is located near center field. This image was captured pre-game from the concourse above. Replete with Diamondback logo. By Gary P Smith. May, 2010.

Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona

Chase Field, Phoenix, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The scoreboard in center field reflects scenes from the Arizona desert. Also, the 2001 World Championship sign and the Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup can be seen. Taken May 21, 2010.