Road Ranger Stadium

Road Ranger Stadium Entrance, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Road Ranger Stadium, in Rockford, Illinois, not far from the field of dreams. Balls and strikes on a cloudy, cool, late September day. Image by Gary P Smith, September, 2011.

Presidential Power

The Presidents, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Geico Gecko shares an off day lockdown with Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson inside Nationals Park in Washington DC. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2011.

Nationals Park, Washington DC

Exterior Nationals Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

An exterior image taken from outside the park on a lonely Saturday while the team was a few miles north visiting Baltimore. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2011.

The National Lineup By Topps

The Lineup, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This was something different, outside the Team Store at Nationals Park. Left to right: Roger Bernadina, Ian Desmond, Jayson Werth, Wilson Ramos, Adam LaRoche, and Michael Morse. Image by Gary P Smith. May, 2011.

Great Balls of Fire

Nationals Park Exterior Chrome Baseballs, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Chrome baseballs were added to the exterior of Nationals Park in Washington, DC, for the 2011 season. Image by Gary P Smith.

The Rain, the Park, and Other Things

Bank of America Building and William Donald Schaefer Building, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Downtown Baltimore from the "retro" Camden Yards features the pencil thin top six floors of the William Donald Schaefer Building beside the gold leafed Bank of America Building. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2011.

"The House That Cal Built"

Front Facade, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards was the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and the early 2000s. It remains one of the most highly praised. This image is of the front of the ballpark, which seemed to be the least popular gate. By Gary P Smith, May, 2011.

The Bird

Eutaw Street Entrance at Oriole Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Oriole mascot, simply called "The Bird" sips from a straw on the reverse side of the jumbo video screen in center field. This is also the Eutaw Street entrance (in centerfield) from Camden Street. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2011.

Eutaw Street at Camden Yards

Festive Eutaw Street Pre Game, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Eutaw Street, between the outfield bleachers and B&O Warehouse, is closed to vehicular traffic. Along this street, Fans can watch the game or browse the many shops and restaurants (including Boog Powell's outdoor BBQ stand) that line the thoroughfare. On game days, a ticket is required to enter this part of Eutaw Street. On non-game days, the street is open to all. Image by Gary P Smith, May 20, 2011.

"Oh Babe, What Would You Say?"

Babe Ruth Statue at Camden Yards, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Those were Hurricane Smith's words in the 1972 song. George Herman "Babe" Ruth stares into the darkness outside Camden Yards as Oriole fans leave the stadium. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2011.

B&O Warehouse at Camden Yards

Outfield Bleachers at Oriole Park, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The stadium planners incorporated the warehouse into the architecture of the ballpark experience rather than demolish it. The floors of the warehouse contain offices, and a private club. The warehouse has been hit by a fly ball only once, by Ken Griffey, Jr. during the Home Run Derby of the 1993 MLB All-Star Game. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2011.

Here Comes The Sun

Night Vision, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Nightfall at Camden Yards, Baltimore. The center field scoreboard illuminates the center field bleachers and the area around Eutaw Street as Cal Ripken reminds Oriole fans of happier times. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2011.

Oriole Park, Known Simply As "Camden Yards"

Ballpark Panorama , originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This amazing stadium was the first of the "retro" ballparks and opened in 1992. It remains one of the most highly praised. The skyline of Baltimore and the old B&O Warehouses provide the stunning background. Image by Gary P Smith from the upper deck behind home plate. May, 2011.

"Please Come To Boston In The Springtime"

Rainy Day at Fenway Park, Boston, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

A typical scene from Fenway Park in Boston. God Bless Texas. Image by Gary P Smith (pictured), with plastic Red Sox rain gear.

Gary P. Smith's Photostream

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A Little Advertising from the Homeowner

A Little Advertising from the Homeowner, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Another look at one of the grandest video screens in baseball, the Chase Field center field display. From May, 2010. Image by Gary P Smith.

Are We Ready For Opening Day, 2011?

Countdown to First Pitch at PNC for 2011, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Although the 2011 baseball season is a bit longer than 45 minutes away (see outfield timer), a few scattered fans leisurely await the start of a game at PNC Park in July, 2009. Image by Gary P Smith in Pittsburgh.

Vintage Houston Oilers #1 Fight Song

"Look Out Football Here We Come"

Mack Hayes Performs Oiler's Fight Song, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Mack Hayes (www.mackhayes.com) performs the Oiler Fight Song at the Oiler's "Luv Ya Blue" reunion, at Reliant Arena on January 22, 2011. Mack also wrote and recorded "Go, Go, Astros." Image by Gary P Smith.