Comparing LA to NYC through the lens of baseball stadium firework shows
One sits you on the field, one keeps you in the stands. This is how both represent their hometown vibe.
I’m a lifelong baseball fan trying to see as many stadiums as possible. I’m doing just alright, I’m at six out of ~fifty baseball stadiums that have hosted games in my lifetime. So once I moved to LA from NYC, I had to see a Dodgers game. Specifically, September 2nd, 2022.
It was coincidentally fireworks night, I didn’t plan for it. Funny story, I invited coworkers and asked them separately where should we sit? Their responses:
On Friday night the bleachers’ll be fun! People drinking and fighting maybe.
Anywhere but the bleachers, people are gonna be drunk and fighting.
There was actually a fight there at the All-Star Game, of all events.
So I chose the bleachers. Really fun experience, baseball camaraderie shop-talk can keep four dudes entertained all night. In fact I don’t think any of us talked about work or family at all.
It’s finally time for fireworks! And suddenly I have this flashback.
As cool uncle, taking my nephew to his first baseball game
My nephew Ry has FIVE uncles, me and my bro-in-law’s four brothers, who are all taller than me. I am cool uncle which means you’re damn straight I’m taking him to his first ballgame. I chose Family Sunday so afterwards he could run the bases. He’s gonna be ON the field! Look at me, the only uncle who lives in the city, the only uncle without kids, picking the most family game there is. Dom from Fast and Furious would be proud.
The game ends and I’m trying to find how we walk out onto the field. Suddenly I see a security guard sending everyone outside the stadium. I never got a clear explanation but I think there was an extra level of security we all had to go through to be out on the field? And the whole way out, I’m seeing security guards assemble.
We had to exit the stadium, a wandering crowd of mostly fathers with young children, and go through security again. The scene when we got outside:
Are you fucking kidding me?
I asked my nephew if he wanted to wait and thankfully he said nahh let’s just go home. He’s now 14 and to my knowledge he’s not yet run on that field. Unless, one of the other uncles took him *evil pensive villain face*.
Back to the Dodgers game…
There was a bit of a line to get to the field, not bad. Then I see it. Look at these doors wide open! Are you kidding me!
Suddenly my guard goes up as I’m walking out there. Like a dog that raises its ears after a suspicious noise. It’s this sensation, this ‘that cop is following me’ mentality, that sort of lingers over New Yorkers. If you commute in and around Manhattan subways, it’s unavoidable. Every day can be interrupted by sudden police activity or scaffolding routing you through dark wooden hallways with piss in a corner. I digress.
We get to the outfield and everyone’s just walking around. Just slowly wandering to find a patch of major league baseball grass to lie down on. As I sat down I was like ‘this would never happen in New York.’
And I was right.
That same night, 3000 miles away, Citi Field was hosting fireworks night. They made everyone sit in the seats.
It’s at this point that I know someone New Yorker is thinking fuck that I like the Citi Field version betta! No. I’m not trying to say the LA version is better, it’s just more LAist. And if you’re going to move (or leave) here, this is insight I want to provide. I see these firework show productions as representing each city overall. It’s a societal pattern.
Pandemic life on LA’s beaches
I came out to LA in July 2020 with my now-wife and dog. A lot of us picked up an old habit during this time, mine was rollerblading. Hundred bucks on Amazon for a basic pair. I’d skate along the smoothened boardwalk path, lie on a grassy patch, do a little yoga. Vape a bit. And just run my hands through the grass. Pick up a handful of sand on the beach, let it fall through my fingers. And pay a dollar an hour to park my car. Yes, one real US Dollar per hour.
In New York this is possible four, maybe five months a year. But you have to pay for beaches and none of them are near the city. If you want a cringe-funny film about this, check out the film Fort Tilden.
That’s my story so far. And so far, I’m here. Not there.
About me: I’m a screenwriter who needs an outlet for writer’s block, hence I occasionally write things other than screenplays. This should go without saying but, I’m not currently managed or repped. Read more about my projects here.
Find me on Twitter where my average post gets 0.1 likes.
-Joe Espo
