A friend of ours who is visiting in Southern California recently attended a Dodgers home game and an Angels home game … for the first time. Both of them.

This person is a lifelong baseball fan, a dedicated Cardinals fan who knows the game well and generally knows and prefers the National League — but had never seen the Angels or Dodgers play at home.

I thought it a perfect opportunity for someone with no preconceived notions to make some observations about the two recent visits. Both were day games, and both came in the last three weeks. I asked for first impressions about the games, the atmosphere, the concessions.

Our anonymous reviewer’s observations:

“Can’t say that I got any real impressions of fan fervor or food and service.  Beer at six bucks and hot dogs for $4.50 are pretty much standard I would think. But in terms of getting to the ballpark, the Angels win. Of course that depends on where you live in Southern California. Getting to Anaheim from Long Beach is a whole lot simpler than the long trek to Dodger Stadium, and the parking at Angel Stadium seemed closer to the stadium entrance.  Several Orange County residents have told me that they will not battle the traffic to go to a Dodgers game.
“If the Angels’ crowd seemed a bit more enthusiastic, color might have something to do with it. That sea of red T-shirts and baseball caps definitely has more eclat than Dodger blue. One thing I did notice at the Dodgers game was that most of the fans were seated by  game time and remained seated for most of the game, except for trips to the hot dog stand and restrooms. When the game started in Anaheim on a Sunday afternoon, the stadium was half-empty until the bottom of the first inning. Then all around us during the game the fans seemed to be milling about constantly. Our immediate row-mates changed at least four times.

“The noisiest people in the section were fans for Detroit, the opposing team. I’m sure this had to do with our particular seats. The atmosphere was surely different among season ticket-holders. Still, when the Dodgers fell behind by several runs in the seventh inning, the crowd began to file out of the stadium.”

Hmm. So, more Dodgers fans in the stands early? That breaks a stereotype. But can’t say I’m surprised that Angels fans seemed more enthusiastic, or that Dodgers seemed to pay more attention.

It’s always nice when an unbiased sources come back with information that jibes with your sense of reality. Getting into and out of Angel Stadium is easier. Even with the improvements the Dodgers seem to have made in this regard. They can’t do much about the freeways right around Chavez Ravine.

I do believe Dodgers fans are better baseball fans than are Angels fans. The former are more likely to come to see a game. The latter are more likely to be having a social outing that happens to be baseball.

And thanks to our friend with the fresh eyes on the situation.