Ok, so now I am back at my hotel room after an amazing and extremely exhausting day...
My experience with MLC and what I would like to see them improve.
Entry & Ticketing
Entry was very seamless, they formed a nice single line, had free shuttles from their offsite free parking and no parking on site. I lucked out as the time I arrived is when LAKR bus arrived as well. Unlike my last experience, nobody was hassling the players and were very polite. I was able to take a video and few photos of them getting out of the bus. The ticket prices were super cheap given it gives you access to 2 matches. I paid $48 for 2 tickets for 2 matches. I hope they continue with the price range.
Seating
My tickets gave me access to entire General Admission which was entire stadium minus the VIP and Bleachers. I was quickly able to find seat close to the ground next to the commentary box.
Food and Sanitation
MLC did announce to bring your own food and drinks as the options are limited. I agree with options part. Had 3 food trucks, one with usual American food, one with Indian food and one with multiple cuisines fast food. One ice cream food truck, two shaved ice (life saved today). The bathrooms were plenty and clean.
Experience
It was electrifying! LAKR, Orcas saw a mixed crowd with almost 2000 people in the stadium. The temperature was 90 degrees fahrenhiet or 32 degrees celsius. It was HOT and HUMID. Luckily I have the sweetest wife who had me all prepared with the chair, umbrella and 2 pocket fans. Got to see a lot of players at the boundary ropes and except for Klassen who seemed really uninterested, all players were happy to meet the fans and sign an autograph or say a word or two or take a selfie. Dre Russ was really patient as fans heckled him a little. Saw more LAKR fans and less Orcas fans. They had fan experience centers that gave free Flags and Tshirts to some. I am glad I saw my team win it even though it mattered nothing. Rossouw played so good but LAKR went through their normal things where bowlers did well, top order failed and Dre had to rescue them again but in the end Rossouw rescued.
Once the sun settled, it felt so nice. Was very surprised to see the stadium was packed with Washington Freedom fans. A lot of fans.. By the second game the stadium was jam packed with close to 5000 people. I would say the stadium was good 45-55% favored with MINY fans. Both teams decided to give free tshirts to fans instead of flags. Amazing bowling by New York even though the entire crowd was shouting Mumbai Mumbai..
Best part about todays day was the special Afghani fans. They were all styled up in Afghani gharas ( I do not know how they survived the temperature in that tradition outfit). They had the Afghanistan flag out and were in full force supporting LAKR first and just Rashid Khan second.
Overall the fan experience for me who knows cricket was 7/10 where they lose 2 points as they could have added more shaded areas knowing the heat. Lot of kids and older people and heat sometime takes a better of you. Second they lose another point is because of their outrageous $3 small water bottle. I know they mentioned about getting your own food and drink but that could have been priced better.
For a non-cricket knowing person, I think it would be 8/10 as they gain a point by having ambassadors all around helping them understand.
Some glimpses from my eyes to the PC cricket fans. Btw the best part was entire stadium singing Happy Birthday to Trent Boult and him acknowledging that.
BCCI missed a trick, should have partnered with USAC and called this MLC - International IPL Edition. Imagine RCB added to this and the RCB fans going crazy here.
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