𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝟭: Chesapeake Baysox vs Harrisburg Senators (Double-A)

Prince George’s Stadium – Bowie, Maryland

A sweltering 32°C with humidity to match and storms threatening — perfect conditions for a “shall we / shan’t we” debate. We went, obviously. The minors delivered in classic fashion: family vibe, fans on first-name terms with ushers, and a soundtrack of walk-up music and kids’ laughter. Bowie (Orioles) edged Harrisburg (Nationals) 4–3 on a bottom-of-the-ninth line-drive walk-off.

We also met Phil — Londoner turned Marylander — who was full of stories and insisted we take home a Samuel Basallo bobblehead (Basallo had only just made headlines with a big-league walk-off). Fireworks, kids running the bases, and a cracking first night for the tour.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝟮: Baltimore Orioles vs Los Angeles Dodgers

Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Baltimore, Maryland

Quick Amtrak up from DC, hotel drop, then straight to Pickles Pub for a couple of tins with the locals. Camden Yards is a beauty — that B&O Warehouse looming over Eutaw Street never gets old and the concourses feel like a proper neighbourhood. We ducked into the club shop then I lined up for Boog’s BBQ pit beef (worth every minute).

On the field, Shohei Ohtani went deep in his first two at-bats, Mookie added another, and Clayton Kershaw did Clayton-Kershaw things. Dodgers 5–2 Orioles under blue skies. We closed the night at Max’s Taphouse in Fells Point, where the Ravens squeaked a 41–40 — atmosphere absolutely bouncing.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝟯: Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets

Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lunch at Reading Terminal Market (Gus’s cheesesteak — elite), a pint at McGillin’s (oldest pub in Philly), then the Broad Street Line to the yard for Margaritaville Night — live music, floral shirts, summer vibes. We took a slow lap to test vantage points; the sightlines around the lower bowl really are superb.

Aaron Nola shoved in a tight 1–0, the exclamation mark being new closer Jhoan Duran’s theatrical entrance to shut the door. Hugely underrated ballpark: skyline views from the uppers, Ashburn Alley buzzing, and strong food and drink throughout. The club shop is due a refresh, mind.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝟰: Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets

Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Free day = full tourist mode: Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross’s House, Ben Franklin’s grave, Penn’s Landing and the Rocky Steps. By evening we’d snagged last-minute seats — and walked into a run-fest. Ranger Suárez set a season-high 12Ks, Harrison Bader and Otto Kemp both went deep, and Kyle Schwarber obliterated his 50th of the year 💥 — only the second Phillie ever to reach that mark. Bedlam. Phillies 9–3 Mets.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝟱: New York Yankees vs Detroit Tigers

Yankee Stadium – Bronx, New York

Train up from Philly, a few hours around Manhattan, then some of the group took the pre-game tour while the rest parked up at Stan’s. We entered via the Hard Rock Café and made a beeline to Monument Park — 37 honoured members, 22 retired numbers — from Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle through to Jeter and Rivera. I ticked off the 99 Burger too, which fully delivered.

On the diamond it turned ugly for the Pinstripes late. Detroit homers from Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson did the damage; even an Austin Wells blast was only consolation. A position player pitched to close it out. Tigers 11–1. Result aside, it’s a bucket-list venue and felt every bit as big as its reputation.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝟲: Brooklyn Cyclones vs Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A Playoffs)

Maimonides Park – Brooklyn, New York

A reflective day on the anniversary of 9/11. The group fanned out — Staten Island ferry, Central Park, Times Square — while I walked the High Line and grabbed lunch at Chelsea Market. Evening meant Coney Island, Nathan’s hot dog (of course), and playoff baseball with the fairground skyline framing the outfield. It’s one of the most scenic parks in the minors.

Pre-game tributes were moving; on the field the Cyclones were ruthless, booking their place in the finals. The group loved the slower, community feel — closer to the action, friendlier chat with staff, and entertainment that never stops. Minor League and Independent League baseball will feature more heavily on future trips — the feedback was clear.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 7: New York Mets vs Texas Rangers

Citi Field – Queens, New York

One for the memoirs: morning coffee chat with someone from the Savannah Bananas (in town for Yankee Stadium), then a look round MLB HQ where I somehow bumped into Commissioner Rob Manfred. Later, our group’s VIP tour of Citi Field included field access for batting practice — I’ll do a separate post on that.

Citi Field shines: an Ebbets-inspired façade; the Jackie Robinson Rotunda; the Home Run Apple out front; the Shea Bridge inside as a nod to the old stadium; cracking vantage points; a crystal-clear board; a smart Stranger Things-themed night; and a club store that’s absolutely enormous with more merch choice than I’ve seen anywhere. Bonus for aviation geeks: LaGuardia departures track right over the stadium — not everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved it.

On the field, Texas dropped a six-spot in the first and never looked back. Jacob deGrom went seven strong, conceding only a Francisco Álvarez homer; Dylan Moore answered for the Rangers as they won 8–3. Quick hop back on the 7-line and job done — a brilliant, surreal day.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 8: Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees

Fenway Park – Boston, Massachusetts

A smooth 4.5-hour ride from Moynihan Train Hall to South Station and straight to our Downtown base (YOTEL Boston), then over to the finale under the lights at Fenway. We did what we usually do: wander the concourses, grab food, peek the team shop, and find a few angles for photos — whilst I helped one of the group at the ticket office after the Ballpark app failed. He walked out with a printed ticket stub — a proper souvenir.

The Yankees jumped to 4–0 as Jazz Chisholm Jr. went 3-for-3 with a solo shot. The Sox finally nicked one off Max Fried when Alex Bregman literally wrapped it round Pesky’s Pole right in front of us, and Jarren Duran’s late homer cranked up the noise. New York restored the cushion in the ninth off (hopefully future Brit) Aroldis Chapman to win 5–3. The atmosphere? Electric. Duelling chants, plenty of needle, all good-natured.

We closed the night at Yard House — fitting, as that’s where the whole thing kicked off back in DC — with food, drinks, and more sport on the big screens. Ten days, eight games, and a finish worthy of the rivalry.