18 Apr - Truist Park (Braves Stadium) Tour and Preparing to Depart

 

This morning we did some chores around here in preparation for departure in the morning.  Shortly after noon we headed south to Truist Park for our Braves ballfield tour.  We usually like to do the tour before attending a game but this time it was the other way around.

As we arrived a bit early we strolled around starting at the main entrance.  One of the features there is a beautiful memorial and statue of Phil Niekro who passed away 26 Dec 2020.  I remember Phil because of his "patented" pitch, the knuckle ball.  My dad, who was a pitcher in the minors before World War II, taught me to throw the knuckle ball which could be done, unlike the curve ball, without harm to my young arm.  That was not a common pitch for a little leaguer to throw but compared to my fastball, it seemed to be coming in slow motion and it danced as if it were filled with helium.  The batters would come out of their shoes trying to hit it but they were usually way early.  A very effective change-up.

We made our way on down right field side and soon we were at the "Battery", an entertainment area bordering Truist Park.  There are a wide variety of restaurants, bars and shops.  

The area was hopping with people and as we approached we were greeted by our tour guide who scanned the e-tickets on my phone,  We waited a short time for the tour to begin and then we entered the stadium.     

I covered a lot of the history of the Braves and pictures of the ballpark in a previous post when we attended the ballgame so I won't reiterate today.  We started the tour at the right field gate at 1:00 and our tour group was full with 19.  The 3:00 tour that followed us was also full.  We started at the top of the stadium and worked our way down.  

Field crew watering and maintaining the field and an unknown player likely rehabbing.

A beautiful field.  The paspalum grass is native to Brazil and Argentina and is used on golf courses 

Next stop was the press box area.  Each seat is pre-assigned and all the networks are represented there.  A great view for sure.  

Next stop was the Infinity Club and the skyboxes associated with it.  A beautiful area and a beautiful view.  I think these start about $250,000.00 each and then there are ticketing, food and beverage fees associated with each game.

We made our way down to the lower level and the Braves Monument Garden.  I posted a lot of pictures of this area previously.  This area was created in lieu of a museum they had a Turner Field or Fulton County Stadium, their previous Atlanta Stadiums.

From here we headed down to field level and visited some of the $$$$ clubs before making our way on out onto the field.  These areas cater to corporations and they treat their people very well.  They have beautiful accommodations inside the stadium and then make their way out to very cushy seats for the game right at field level.  

We then headed out their their seating area to the field and walked around on the gravel portion of the infield behind home plate.  We were warned by the tour guide about touching the grass.  She said, "Don't even look at it too long!!!"  Got it!  

We were allowed to go into the Braves dugout and then we headed back inside

The Braves dugout

Hotlines to the press box, the video replay crew and the bullpen, plus the replay video equipment

Bat storage

On the way out we passed through the Jim Beam Lounge where Jim Beam bourbon and Coca Cola slushies are served.  I must try that some time!

That concluded the tour.  Truist Park is a very nice stadium and we have enjoyed our visit.  

We made our way back to the campground where we stowed our hoses and made preparations to depart in the morning.  As I sit here and type this we are without power.  There was a huge "Ka-Bang", and bright green flash of light and our power went out.  Obviously a vehicle struck a power pole on Highway 41 just outside the campground and took out our power.  Surely it will be restored before morning as we need AC power to retract our satellite dish and the footrest on the chair where I sit typing this!!

Next report, Perry GA!