Take me out to the Ball Game, Nicaragua Baseball

The game started at 6 pm, we arrived about a half hour late and the entire stadium was already almost full. There only three options for tickets: upper level seats $5 each, general seats $2 each and the standing area $0.50 cents each. When we got there the only tickets left were in the standing area so it only cost us $1 for admission. Personally I don’t know what the difference was between the standing and seating area because the standing area still had concrete stadium seats and a majority of people were sitting. But since we were late we ended up standing the entire game.

Just like America baseball stadiums they had vendors selling food and beverages in the stands. However the only food that was the same as back home was popcorn and cotton candy. No hot dogs, pretzels, peanuts or nachos. Instead they had typical Nicaraguan food and typically cheap. We had some tortilla, cheese, pickled cabbage wrap thing for $0.50 cents each and a mash potato, cabbage salad and fried pork dish for $1.50. We never did see a beer vendor though probably a good thing cause…..

Now about the game and the crazed fans. WOW! First of all there was a ton of police everywhere some dressed in full riot gear. At first it made me uneasy but nothing ended up happening. IF anything the people were all about having a good time. When Granada was up to bat the entire stadium cheered louder than I have ever heard. You would think they would have want to be some-what quite for the batter to concentrate but NO. If a Granada player got on base guys in the stands would run up and down the rows waving Granada Sharks vs. Leon Lions banners. And on top of all this the band played their trombones and drums really loud and the cheerleaders in their sparkly bra tops and short shorts did sexy booty shaking dances. Ryan thought it was funny that they even had cheerleaders for baseball. But I guess since baseball is the most popular sport in Nicaragua and they don’t have a football team it makes sense.

Unfortunately, even though the fans were going crazy Granada was losing. At the top of 8th the score was 3-1 and Granada was up to bat first. The first batter was walked with 4 balls. The second batter hit a pop fly to the middle of the field. Up, up and a Leon player was going to catch it when oh no or oh yes he dropped it. First and second base loaded. The third Granada player struck out. The fourth batter hit a line drive down the third baseline and got on base. SO bases loaded with one strike. This is it time for Granada to make a come back. Fifth batter. Ball, strike, ball, hit…. pop fly again to the middle of the field. The Leon player was a second late to catch it in the air but recovered quick enough to make a double play: second, third base out. And that was the game for us. We left at the middle of the 8th inning along with a half of the people in the standing area.

Even though I assume Granada lost we had a great experience. We really felt like attending the baseball game was another insight to Nicaraguan culture.

Granada, Nicaragua Baseball Stadium