Some notes from Saturday’s Dodgers/Padres game here in Beijing.
Overall, we had a great time. It was a beautiful day for baseball. A little chilly and windy perhaps, but nice sunny skies. Wukesong Baseball Stadium was not particularly impressive, but suitable for the purpose. It has an obvious “won’t be around in 2009″ feel with temporary bleachers that allow the wind to whip through. (We even had a mini dust storm in the 4th inning.) Might work better in August when a breeze will be necessary to keep the field cool. As I said to my friend, “If the August sun hit a closed stadium, we’d have ‘The Wok’ to go along with ‘The Bird’s Nest.’” Long lines to get in with the usual bag checks and bans on bottled drinks but with a Beijing twist: metal detectors, wanding, and bans on lighters, oversize bags, and cameras (though many cameras got in). I was carrying a novel for the subway (Nury Vittachi’s Mr. Wong Goes West) which got a careful inspection by the guards, who gave it back only after I asked them in Chinese, “You really don’t understand it, do you?” The young lady then gave me a pat