It was awesome!
The temperature at Chase was OK.
A portable thermometer (brand was ThermPro), rested on the top of the dugout (except when mascot and Rally-backs danced). Although the thermometer was NOT calibrated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, it revealed interesting trends in what happened to the temperature.
- Starting from the high eighties (or perhaps hotter than that), the temperature was lowered dramatically by the start of the game (to 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit in the 6:40 game, and to 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit in the 12:40 game).
- After half an hour of the game, the temperature had stabilized (79.2 degrees Fahrenheit in the 6:40 game and 78.4 degrees Fahrenheit in the 12:40 game).
- After an hour and 44 minutes, both games had the same temperature (79.5 degrees Fahrenheit). Perhaps because the cooling could not keep up with the midday heat, beyond the point of equal temperatures, the afternoon game was slightly hotter than the evening game.
Details are in the following graph.
Data from ThermPro thermometer.
The people were friendly.
I’ll share a few stories.
The gal next to me was buying drinks from the walking vendor. She asked me, “Do you want anything?” I said no thank you because my coffee was still hot. The vendor quickly said, “Are you sure, she’s buying!” A complete stranger offered to buy me a drink! That’s friendly.
Speaking of coffee, I discovered the only place in Chase that sells coffee, and that place recently changed. A helpful usher directed me to the prior place. When I arrived, the drink vender directed me to the new place. I quickly got my coffee. In case you wondered, Churro Dogs, section 130 is the place to get coffee.
I walked by a hall monitor five times in succession because I could not decide which of two places to eat before Wednesday’s game. They made it fun for me when I said I could not make up my mind.
Speaking of the Rally-backs (cheerleaders), one gave me a high-5. I’m not saying who but she was the best dancer. Needless to say, I was delighted.
Torey Lovullo was an active participant.
You say, “Of course he was an active participant.” But what I saw was intense conversations with just about everybody on the field. A few examples follow:
- A pregame interactive talk with several players on the field before the game. Picture follows:
Pregame Talk. Photo by Makakilo.
- During Tuesday’s game, he gave an important instruction to Corbin Carroll. Not sure of my memory, but I think it was before Carroll hit a double with a runner on first base.
- A controlled but intense talk with an umpire. Picture follows:
Umpire Discussion. Photo by Makakilo.
- A heated discussion with his bench coach, including finger pointing. But it was over quickly.
Talk with Banister. Photo by Makakilo.
- Several back-and-forth short sentences with a fan, who seemed to be giving friendly (but perhaps wrong-headed) game advice.
- He slapped hands with every player who returned to the dugout after hitting a homer (and others who were outstanding). Did I mention that after Eugenio Suarez’s homer, he and another player did a hip bump in front of the dugout? After that awesome homer, I would have hip bumped too!
- Although his mound visit is often to change pitchers, I saw him give credit to Brent Strom. He patted Brent Strom on the back after a Diamondback relief pitcher got the team out of a jam.
Mound Visit. Photo by Makakilo.
After Tuesday’s game, Torey Lovullo pointed at me, perhaps to acknowledge the power of an optimistic viewpoint! Or maybe it was because I predicted a Diamondbacks sweep. And it happened! Thank you, Torey!