Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies: A Day at Turner Field

According to the local television commercial, Braves Country is approximately 110,000 square miles (thanks MapQuest and Mrs. Starr from high school geometry).

So unless you're well within the area, it's possible that you may not be able to attend a home game this year at Turner Field, home of your Atlanta Braves.

Never fear! I've done it for you.

I try to make an annual pilgrimage to pay my respects to the team that I've been raised to love, and I did so this past weekend. For the past several seasons, few rivals have been as competitive as the Philadelphia Phillies, so it was a real treat to get to see the contest live.

My goal was to bring you the feel of the entire trip -- from lunch stops to traffic jams -- so you won't have to fret over missing a game this season.

The Best of Both Worlds: 11:00

As soon as you cross the border into Georgia, Chic-fil-A signs start popping up everywhere. Its headquarters is found in College Park and is one fine chicken joint.

Of course, I'm always the oddball in the group and prefer Zaxby's but damn those Chic-fil-A waffle fries are good. I coaxed my buddy to make a stop at both before hitting the road again.

Nearing Atlanta, we were able to find the the Hall of Fame pitcher and voice of the Braves Don Sutton giving some pre-game news.

The (Beautiful) Walk to the Field: 12:30

A theory exists that states that any flaw in the thing(s) you love just endear you the it more.

That's how it is for us Braves fans on the walk to the stadium.

Though Atlanta is a delightful city full of many successful businesses, sports teams, and things to do, the area around Turner Field is hardly flashy.

But that's why we love it!

I get a hop in step every time I begin the walk underneath the I-75 overpass, anticipating the look of the groundskeepers spraying the infield, the blinding white of the home jerseys, and the beer man delivering my long awaited refreshment.

Inside the Gates: 12:35

I've been to a dozen MLB stadiums, but Turner Field still has some aspects that stand out.

Upon entering the gates, the influence of Ted Turner is very obvious. There are various booths and stores from Cartoon Network, TBS, and TNT for adults and children alike to wonder into and enjoy themselves before the game.

Disney World plus baseball = Turner Field's amenities

Getting Settled: 1:00

One of friends almost made us miss the first pitch because he was buying a hat for 20 minutes. Blasphemy!

We got to the seats in time for them to unload their nachos, programs, and "We're #1" fingers and for me to soak in the atmosphere that only a baseball park provides.

Get yourself acquainted, too, over the next three slides. 

Scenes from the Seats: 1:05

Coca-Cola and the aforementioned Chic-fil-A are omnipresent in the ballpark.

When the Braves are rallying and the Tomahawk Chop music starts up, the cow joins along and tomahawks his right arm.

Scenes from the Seats: 1:06

The Budweiser Select Zone provides the cheap seat folks an excellent view from right field if they don't mind standing.

First Pitch: 1:10

Brandon Beachy fired a strike for the first pitch of the game to Shane Victorino.

Beachy is a rookie pitcher with a lot of upside and a strong arm, regularly hitting 94 MPH on the radar gun. With Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens already established as solid, young pitchers, the Braves look to be building yet another generation of great pitching.

Of course, Beachy is young and gave a single to Victorino. This would be the first of 15 hits the Phillies smacked.

Late Arrivals!: 1:20

A tough start to the game (Phillies up 2-0 in the first inning) was softened by the late arrivals of two lovely Braves fans who took their seats right in front of us.

Did I mention how much I love going to games?

Braves Threatening with Jason Heyward Up: 2:30

Down 2-3 in the bottom of the sixth, Atlanta needed someone to jump start the offense against Roy Oswalt.

As he has done for almost two decades, Chipper Jones got the rally started. He squeaked a single to right which, when followed by two walks, got the Tomahawks going for the first time in the game.

Who else should come to the plate, vying to retake the lead, but the heir apparent to Chipper as King of the Braves, Jason Heyward?

Roy Oswalt Gets Out: 2:35

After a quick meeting with Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee, Oswalt and the Philadelphia infield trotted back to their positions, trying to get just one more out.

The annoying Phillie fans behind us had stopped their squawking only momentarily when Heyward uncharacteristically bailed Oswalt out on only the second pitch of the at-bat with a pop out.

Jason is only 21, and it may have showed. Meanwhile, the Phillie fans resumed their chatter.

Carlos Ruiz Pinch Hits: 2:40

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 9: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies drives in a run in the 8th inning with a double against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on April 9, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Phillies won 10-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The very next inning, Beachy was chased by a double from Raul Ibanez.

After an atrocious showing from George Sherrill, Carlos Ruiz stepped up to pinch hit for the pitcher. On an 0-2 count, he launched on a high fastball and virtually ended the chances for the Braves that day.

Suddenly, I had a lot more leg room in Row G of Section 419.

You Know the Rest: 3:55

Atlanta couldn't overcome the timely hitting of Ruiz, whom accounted for six of the Phillies 10 runs.

Nevertheless, the game was incredibly fun. The hot spring sun felt good after our long, cold winter. Any trip with the guys is a good one, as I'm sure we all can attest to.

Dan Uggla ought to flip through this article so he can get comfortable in Turner Field quicker. I'm confident that his success at home will coincide with excellent playoff potential for the Bravos.

It was a loss and a big one, but I'll be back for use. Of course, I don't blame you Braves fans if you ask me to stay at home for the next few months.

Oh Yeah, Post-Game Traffic: 4:30 to ???

Is there anything worse than trying to leave the ballpark after a loss??

Salt in the wounds...