DENVER -- When you live in the flat land of Buffalo only about 600 feet above sea level, you notice this thin mountain air. When you climb a mile high, you really feel the difference. Trust me, I just did it.
No, I didn't hike Pikes Peak. My first task Saturday afternoon, five hours before the first pitch of the Game Three of the World Series, was to ascend to one of the signature points of Coors Field -- the ring of purple seats high in the upper deck. At that point, you're exactly 5,280 feet above sea level.
From the main level, it took three minutes and seven ramps to get to the upper concourse. There are seven rows of upper deck boxes below you and it's nine steps up to a landing to the front of row 10. I was in Section 331, right behind home plate. Just 32 steps and 10 rows later, I was in Row 20. No markings, no special mention anywhere. Just a row of purple plastic seats amid the sea of green stretching all the way from right field around to left.
A great view of the field and the surrounding area. But hope you don't want to get a dog or a drink or need to visit the restroom. Maybe it was knowing I was a mile up or maybe it really did have the feeling of being in the oranges at the Aud. The vertigo on the way down was pretty striking.
Call me a wimp but I took the elevator back.
---Mike Harrington
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