San Francisco Giants 2009 - Orange and Black Attack

The Giants now have ambassadors - young people who will be making sure fans enjoy their time at the ballpark and who go out and about in the community spreading the good word about the Giants.

Named the Orange and Black Attack, they are a mild-mannered team who's goal is to spread cheer and encourage support for the Giants, one of the innovations that mark the start of the 2009 season - see previous blogs

Kedar said, 'We try to make the game more friendly - 'and personalized' - contributed Brooke.

'It's important for us to make the game itself a unique experience,' said Kedar. 'If we can create a fan base with young kids we're going to have fans for many years to come.'

Mandi said that as ambassadors they would be visiting community festivities, like the St Patrick's Day Parade that they have already been to, and non-profit organizations.

On Tuesday they played balloon volleyball and had an ice cream social at the Stepping Stones senior centre in Berry Street, near the ballpark, she said.

As they go round the community they will be giving out free T-shirts and other items, and discounted ticket offers. When the games are underway, they will be handing out Giants Eye Black Strips.

pic shows: Kedar, Brooke, Mandi, Schep

San Francisco Giants 2009 - New Food

For thousands of Giants fans a trip to the baseball park is not only about sport, but food.

As the 2009 season opens - see previous blogs - fans will not only be getting their teeth into some new items on the menu but will leave the food stands with more change in their pockets.
For the Giants are pitching all out to help with pricing during the credit crunch.

A Value Meal has been created at the Doggie Diners with a hot dog, peanuts and soft drink for $6.25, a saving of $2, and a Value Platter at McGraw's Grill with a hamburger, french fries and soft drink for $8.75, a saving of $4.50.

Children are specially taken care of. For $5 they can have a hot dog, juice box, snack and prize/toy at four different locations.

Prices have also been cut on the following individual items, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, soft drink and ice cream novelties.


As Tom McDonald, Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing, said at yesterday's press conference, the aim of this season is to make the ballpark 'the giant escape that many people will be looking for.'

There are also new offerings among other food vendors. At Joe Garcia's will be a San Fran style Taqueria, Thai style curry, chicken and beef skewers at Edsel Ford Fong's, Dungeness crab sandwiches at the Panini Wine Bar, blue cheese fries at Murph's Clubhouse Pub, and at the Batter's Up Ice Cream Sundae, a fun-sounding vanilla bean gelato with hot fudge, whipped cream and chocolate shortbread baseball cookie.

And a new vendor also joins the ranks, Tres Agaves, selling a bacon-wrapped hot dog, nachos, tacos and vegetarian tamales.

Plus regular food items will be there. I sampled a beef sandwich at The Carvery, and it was great.

pics show: Christina with Kid's Meals; Marlene, Alfredo, Gema at The Carvery; enthusiastic samplers in the food hall; Asian cusines at Edsel Ford Fong's

Drawbridge at China Basin

A small drawbridge at Mission Creek attracted a lot of attention yesterday when it spent most of the day pointing up into the air!

The bridge, for trains, vehicles and pedestrians, was having a thorough check up from a team of city workers. What one workman described as 'heavy duty maintenance,' everything from bolts upwards.

Residents were fascinated to see the bridge raised as this is an infrequent event. The creek is a home to houseboats and usually attracts only canoeists and kayakers that sail under it.

The city workman said the work had been scheduled for two months ago but was delayed due to the extensive Muni work that they had also done.