Let's face it. Most people don't go to enough Rockies games each year to figure out the best way to attend a game. Here's my guide for making the best out of a Rockies Game.
Preperation: Bring your wallet, walking shoes (not very fancy/expensive), your cell phone, a sharpie and your tickets to the park. You also should wear a Rockies cap, because A. They look cool, usually B. It shows support. C. The sun is blinding over Left Field at night games and, well almost anywhere during day games D. What better occasion to wear a baseball cap than at a baseball game. Don't bring a glove (Beer spills at Coors Field a lot and you don't want it on your glove or nice shoes. Plus, if you're over 12 and bring your glove to the game, well then there is a problem). Ladies, don't bring a purse to the game, it will get ruined and it'll be a pain to carry through all the crowds. Put cash in your pocket and call it a day. Your cell will come in handy to call friends at the stadium so you can wave mindlessly at no one in particular and ask if they can see you. You can also snap embarassing pics of your friends and family (Chowing in to a burger, dog, burrito, etc usually makes for a funny pic) and send them to the jumbotron. There are also lots of polls via text you can vote in. But do yourself a favor, turn off the email function if your phone has it. A ballgame is a time to relax and get away from the rest of your life. Don't take calls that could be stressful, don't email on your blackberry; just enjoy the game.
Food: Hot dogs at Coors Field are bad. I've been to 17 MLB stadiums, 1 minor league stadium, and 5 or 6 spring training stadiums (1 in Florida, the rest in Arizona) and Coors Field had the worst hot dogs out of all of them. If you are going to pay $4 for a hot dog, it better be a good one. If you really want a hot dog go to a vendor on Blake Street. There are always hot dog vendors down the street, usually selling dogs for $1 or $1.50. I'd buy two, cause you can't just eat one hot dog. If you don't need a hot dog, I suggest buying a burrito (or two) outside the stadium. They're cheap, $2, and delicious. It's not Chipotle, but the burrito will fill you up decently, taste great, and save you money (inside they are much much lower quality and they cost about $6). If you are planning on drinking anything other than beer at the game, buy it outside. The burrito vendors also sell gatorade, soda, and water ($1-$2 depending on the vendor/day/beverage). It doesn't hurt to buy a $2 bag of peanuts either. Don't buy sunflower seeds though, because unless you want to stare straight down everyime you spit, the person in front of you is going to get showered with sunflower seeds and that isn't fun for anyone. For 2 burritos, a Mountain Dew, and a bag of peanuts you're total amounts to about $8. Not bad. Inside the stadium I usually grab Dippin' Dots or a soft-serve ice cream (in a collectible Rockies hat of course) around the 7th inning. If you need something real to eat, the best food (outside of club level) is the hamburgers. They're six bucks and you'll probably want fries too, which I believe are $3.50. I typically think 2 burritos, 2 sodas (one outside, one inside), half a bag of peanuts, and ice cream(totaling an estimated $16) is fully sufficient for one person.
Go early. The Rockpile gate (A) and gate E (Left Field) open 2 hours before gametime, while the other three gates open an hour and a half before the the first pitch. Going early you can grab the giveaway of the day, which usually isn't too shabby (T-Shirt and Cap nights are the best) You can get autographs down the right field line until about 40 or 45 minutes before gametime. I would go down right past the Rockies dugout (Section 121 I believe) and push yourself to the front. That is if you're a kid. If you're older than 12 and push someone out of the way, well shame on you. Take a ball(if you caught one during BP, bringing one is kinda doofy) your ticket, a hat, and a sharpie.Usually you wait for a long time, so I suggest starting a conversation with the people around you. Convo starters could be: Wait, why isn't Matt Holliday playing? I heard Todd Helton climbed Everest in bare feet. Why can't Coors Field cook hot dogs right? Is Dexter Fowler the greatest athlete in Denver? Who's your favorite no-name Rockies of all time (Choo Freeman, JD Closser, and Danny Ardoin are fun ones)? After you've attempted to get autographs you'll have some time before the game. I suggest just taking a lap of the stadium (1st level). You don't need to buy anything, but getting a feel for the stadium is great. Find places that might have good food or Rockies Gear. Laugh at crazy designs on Rockies shirts and hats at the Dugout store. Try to barter the price of souvenirs with a vendor. Ask the guy selling squishies if he has any self respect ( I mean he has a flippin' button his chest that says Squishy). Just get a feel for the stadium. Get to your seats in time for the National Anthem, the ceremonial first pitch, and whatever other pre-game ceremony there might be. And then just relax and enjoy the game.
Cheering: Here are a few things to know. 1. The wave should only be done when the Rockies are at the plate. Don't participate if the opponent is batting. 2. Only cheer loudly for fly balls if they actually have a chance to be a homerun, or if an outfielder might not catch it. Cheering for pop-ups or easy fly-outs is aggravating to those around you and it is a waste of your energy. 3. The Tulo cheer is slow clap, slow clap, three medium claps, 4 faster claps, then TU-LO. 4. When Dexter Fowler comes to the plate/makes a big play/gets on base/etc. yell "DEX KNOWS." It'll catch on. I promise. 5. Stand and clap for the Rockies starting pitcher as he comes out of the game if he has pitched well. 6. Don't scream for every play, it annoys those around you and makes real cheers less meaningful. 7. When it's the top of the 9th inning, the Rockies have the lead, and there are two outs you should be standing, possibly clapping, waiting for the win.
Mid-Inning events: Bet a hot dog, a beer, a soda, or an Ice Cream on these events. The Coca Cola challenge (Run from left, put in 2nd, run past first) is very hard this year (they changed the time from 25 to 20 seconds) it is pretty easy to tell, just by the way someone looks, as to whether they are fast enough to make it. But even then, usually they won't because putting in 2nd base is tough. I'd say 7 times out of 10 the contestant won't make it. The flyball frenzy (two high fly balls must be caught) is easy to judge. Look at the person's clothing and physical state and you can usually tell whether or not they have the coordination. Its fun to make the events into something meaningful by betting a food item on them.
I hope these hints help you on your next trip to Coors Field. My final tip, never leave early because you never know what can happen. Plus, you should get your money's worth for the ticket.
Keywords: Coors Field
