I visited Camden Yards to see New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles on the Friday 7th of April 2023 @ 3.05pm. It was the Home Opener for the Orioles, postponed from the day before.
I was based in Washington DC for this trip and arrived a few days earlier via Dulles International Airport with United Airlines. On game day, i took the train for the 30 minute journey from Union Station in Washington DC to Penn Station in Baltimore. I booked the journey via Amtrack. Saver fares can be booked up to 2 weeks before the journey.
As I was staying in DC for 6 nights, I stayed at a Sonder, which if you’re not familiar, I would describe as a cross between Airbnb and a hotel, in that it’s a self-contained apartment, but Sonder leases whole apartment buildings for short-term rentals. I initially discovered them via a hotel reservation site but find booking direct cheaper. Its not far from a METRO station and only 4 stops from Amtrack Union Station.
On arriving at Penn Station in Baltimore, i made the 5 minute walk to the MT Royal/MICA station on the light raillink system to get the southbound train to Camden Yards. I had previously downloaded the CharmPass which is the official mobile ticketing app for the Maryland Transit Administration. Fares are $2.00 one way or $4.60 for a day pass. You purchase the tickets you want in advance and they sit in the app, until you need them and then activate the required ticket on the phone. There is no tap in/tap out for your tickets.
I purchased my game ticket via the MLB Ballpark app, prior to arriving in the US, mainly due to it being the Home Opener and had sold out quite early however, i kept looking until 1 became available, which it did. Usually this isn’t necessary, especially for midweek afternoon games.
Gates generally open 60 minutes prior to the 1st pitch, however selected games open 2 hours before 1st pitch, which this game was due to being the home opener, so I made my way to the ballpark in plenty of time so as to have a look around the ballpark area plus they were doing introductions for the new season.
I travelled the 5 stops to Convention Centre which is one of the 2 closest stops to Camden Yards, the other being Camden Station. You can see the ballpark as soon as you get off the train.
On exiting the train, there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the vicinity, including the Pratt Street Ale House which seemed a very popular destination. As it was the Opening Home Game of the season, there were quite a few pop up bars outside the ballpark.
As with all sports stadia now in the US, you cant take bags into the ballpark unless its a Clear plastic bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. However the Orioles have partnered with Binbox Lockers to provide lockers for fans to rent using a keyless locking system app.
Lockers are located by Gate H near the Main Box Office and outside of Gate A & C. Binbox’s free app is available in iOS or Android and can be found in the App Store and on Google Play. The app allows fans to quickly locate available locker units, pay with a credit card, and secure their belongings with Bluetooth technology.
I went into the ballpark fairly early to take a look around, especially on the Eutaw Street concourse which is the festive area of the ballpark.
Some tips on buying tickets for the Orioles, I always, where possible, purchase my tickets through the MLB Ballpark app, but just registering with the Orioles via the app, will bring ticket offers to your inbox, whilst not as generous or frequent as other teams i have done this with, they do exist.
On entering the park, via any gate, despite what the gate the ticket shows, you do have the airport style security checks, but you just walk through, no need to take everything out of your pockets, after that it’s the ticket scan and then your into the park.
I entered through gate H which leads straight onto Eutaw St and the main club store is on your left and was quite busy when i went, however there are a few smaller ones dotted around the concourse.
The ground floor concourse has been completely utilised with a plethora of food and drink concession stands, with the longest queue being for Boog’s BBQ, which is named by former All-Star first baseman Boog Powell, and is located behind the centre field bleachers on Eutaw Street.
Eutaw St is known for the bronze baseballs embedded into the sidewalk marking the spot where home runs cleared the right field fence, Eutaw Street also features a plaque to mark the spot where Ken Griffey, Jr. hit the Warehouse during the 1993 All-Star Home Run Derby. Just outside the north end of Eutaw Street are the four-foot aluminium monuments depicting retired Orioles uniform numbers and the Babe Ruth statue.
As with most sports venues now, its cashless, so you will need your credit/debit card with you. There is a “Reverse ATM” that exchanges cash to card located at the lower level concourse near gate D.
The prices. Not including Tax, on the gameday I went were:
Hot Dog $8.25
Cheeses Burger $12.99
Popcorn (Bucket) $7.99
Domestic Beer $10.99
Soda $5.99
Peanuts $5.99
In amongst all the concession stands was a booth selling game used, authentic merchandise where you could purchase all sorts of items from bats, balls, base plates and even jars of dirt, with proceeds going to the Orioles Charitable Foundation.
If your after player autographs, players and coaches may sign autographs for fans along the field prior to the game. I saw quite a few down there.
If your trip is a birthday surprise for your other half, then go to www.mlb.com/orioles/fans/scoreboard-surprises to get a message up on the scoreboard.
My seat was in the Bleachers under the scoreboard and there were a few fans with gloves so obviously a place to catch a home run. The sight lines were good from the bleachers.
The Orioles won the game 7-6 and between that and being the Home Opener, it was a good atmosphere and Ballpark is definitely up there in what a good ballpark looks like.
On leaving the ballpark, I headed straight back to Washington, catching the light raillink from Camden Yards back to the MT Royal/MICA stop then a 5 minute walk to Penn Station to catch the Amtrack back to Washington DC.
For games ending after the regularly scheduled service, which is midnight, that trains stay running. With the final train from Camden Yards northbound to Hunt Valley Station leaving at 12:36 a.m. The final train from Camden Yards southbound to Cromwell Station leaving at 12:53 a.m. The final train from Camden Yards to BWI and Cromwell Stations leaves at 1:08 a.m.
