Saturday In The Park

Left Field and the Grassy Knoll, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

Beyond the outfield, fans gather at the "Park at the Park", the grassy lawn area in the center of the image. Petco Park is regarded as one of the finest stadiums in Major League Baseball. Image by GaryPaulSmith, Saturday, July 13, 2013.

Exterior Reverse Scoreboard at Petco Park

Exterior Reverse Scoreboard at Petco Park, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

Two of the stadium's outfield entrance areas are located at K Street's intersections with 7th and 10th Avenues. Pre-game, July 12, 2013, Padres v Giants. Image by GaryPaulSmith. Also see www.flickr.com/photos/garypsmith

New Downtown San Diego Library From Petco Park

New Downtown Library, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

This image is of the New Central Library (the domed fan shaped dominating the background). Interior and exterior finishing work continues on all levels. The landscaping in the courtyard progresses. Work on the auditorium is underway. The
Project is over 90% complete. By GaryPaulSmith, July, 2013.

Long Live Western Metal Supply Company

Western Metal Supply Co & Scoreboard, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

The Western Metal Supply Co. building, a hundred-year old brick structure that had been scheduled for demolition to make way for Petco Park, was saved and incorporated into the design of the ballpark. The building was renovated and contains the team store, private suites, a restaurant and rooftop seating. Image by GaryPaulSmith, July, 2013.

Padre Greats

Retired Padre Numbers Atop Batters Eye, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

A lot going on here. The Padres retired numbers atop the Batters Eye. #6, Steve Garvey; #19, Tony Gwynn; #31, Dave Winfield; #35, Randy Jones; #42, Jackie Robinson; and #51, Trevor Hoffman. There's the center field bleacher and the Budweiser sign. Comerica Bank dominates the background while the grassy knoll is filling up with fans. The Giants starter is warming up (bottom of image), and Giants players can also be seen. The image is taken from the left field corner. GaryPaulSmith, July 13, 2013.

Panoramic View Of Petco Park

Panoramic From Upper Deck, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

Image from the upper most part of Petco Park in San Diego, California. A downtown San Diego view forms the background. Also, the "Smart Phone Cover" give-away is displayed on the scoreboard in left field. This would be the night of the Giant's Tim Lincecum's no-hitter against the Padres. Image by GaryPaulSmith, July 13, 2013.

Sponge Bob Square Pants at Petco Park

Sponge Bob With Patrick Star, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

Sponge Bob Square Pants and friends, including Patrick Star (to Bob's right), ham it up in pre-game festivities at Petco Park in San Diego. Image by GaryPaulSmith. July 13, 2013.

The Left Field Corner

Upper Deck From Left Field Corner, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

High atop the upper deck in left field at Petco Park in San Diego, the silhouette of the lighting frames the infield. Image by GaryPaulSmith, July 13, 2013.

Host Terry At Petco Park

Upper Deck Host Terry, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

While high atop Petco Park in San Diego, I stopped and visited with an upper deck host named Terry. We talked baseball, which is always fun when you find someone like yourself and embrace that common ground of America's past time. Terry told me that his favorite player was Nolan Ryan. Not a bad choice. Image by GaryPaulSmith, Petco Park, July, 2013.

Aroldis Chapman, Fastest Pitch Ever

Hometown Heros, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

Fastest Pitch Ever: April 18, 2011 Aroldis Chapman zipped a fastball past Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen that registered 106 mph on the Great American Ball Park scoreboard. However, MLB.com's Pitch/FX tracker clocked the throw at 105. Main concourse offerings on display, by GaryPaulSmith, May, 2013.

Big Boy At GABP

Big Boy Burgers at GABP, originally uploaded by Gary Paul Smith.

The iconic Frisch’s Big Boy #46 statue guards the front façade of the Big Boy Burger stand at Great American Ballpark. He is customized with a Reds ballcap and vintage 70′s uniform with the number 46, as in 1946, the year Frisch’s served up its first Big Boy Sandwich. Business was brisk. Image by GaryPaulSmith, May, 2013.