August 22, 2004
Altoona Curve 12 Bowie Baysox 0
Sunday Evening
Altoona, PA
With Jamie and Marc
After a scenic drive (courtesy of Jamie) and listening to parts of three games on the radio (including the Erie game- they ended up winning) we arrived in Altoona. A little late, but not Detroit late. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any parking so we drove around a little. Luckily, we found a bearded gentleman (and I use that term loosely) who told us to park in a yard for three bucks. There were a couple yards that were packed with cars. Not a bad way to make some extra cash.
Altoona is the town that built their ballpark right next to an old amusement park. Which means that there is a 1920’s era roller coaster right behind the right field fence daring hitters to knock one off the head of a coaster enthusiast.
Altoona destroyed the Orioles affiliate 12-0 and they didn’t even have the benefit of facing Sidney Ponson. Immediately after the game, we took our chances and bought some tennis balls to throw onto the field in an attempt to win some prizes. We didn’t win nothing.
And then there were fireworks.
In Altoona, beers are cheap and plentiful. This explains some of the bad decision making after the game on our 2.3 mile walk to the bar called Zack’s.
From Marc’s blog:
another question - why did we walk to the bar tonight instead of taking a cab or accepting the offer of an 11pm ride from the hotel front desk attendant? the cab cost money which isn't an issue- but that lacked the spirit of adventure. and waiting for the hotel clerk for an hour didn't seem like a fun time. she was cute and fun and friendly but she wasn't quite yet drinking age.
I called Sujan as Balgavy walked us all the fuck over Altoona in the dark. Jim was hanging out with Sujan when I called and he later posted this on Marc’s blog
Hearing Sujan's half of a phone conversation with Drunk Dan on Sunday night was quite weird. I want more details about how you guys were walking through the underbrush next to the highway and possibly getting ticks, all just to get to a hick bar with 12:30 last call.
We trudged across Interstates, malls, neighborhoods, all for the sake of making it to the “in” bar of Altoona, PA on a Sunday night. At one point, Marc had us walking in circles and he had to call the desk clerk again to verify directions. She had no memory of Marc even though he had just been in less than an hour before. I don’t remember much about the rest of the walk other than there were a lot of ducks in the mall creek.
Eventually we made it to Zack’s! And boy was it hopping. There must have been at least three other patrons at this hot bar. But we didn’t let the diminishing chances of Balgavy getting some action ruin our night. No sir. A number of “orange slice” shots and we were feeing just fine. Darts were played, nachos were eaten, and then after debating the options of how to get back to the hotel- we took a cab. Maybe one of the other gentlemen involved in this fiasco might recall some of the highlights of the cab ride because I sure as hell don't.
