Padres mural honors, remembers Peter Seidler.

Thank you Peter Seidler. 1960-2023.

A mural has been painted in downtown San Diego that honors and remembers Padres owner Peter Seidler, who passed away earlier this week.

Peter Seidler will be missed by many. He was a friend to all of San Diego.

The mural, on the north wall of the Copley Building at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, was created by the artists of Ground Floor Murals. You’ve possibly seen their other Padres murals around San Diego.

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Outpouring of love, for one who loved San Diego.

I never met San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler. Every voice I’ve heard agrees that he was a man who loved the fans, our city, and people in general.

He loved baseball. He gave so much to advance our team.

He was compassionate for the less fortunate, working to help those who are homeless.

Today there was an outpouring of love for Peter Seidler around San Diego. I heard it all day on sports radio. He touched so many people.

This afternoon, on the steps of Petco Park, members of the Padres staff were building a memorial full of flowers and memories. I walked by to see.

I offered my own thanks to Peter Seidler last year.

Thank you, again.

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Photos at 2023 NWSL Championship Fan Fest!

Enjoy some photographs that I took this afternoon, just as the 2023 NWSL Championship Fan Fest officially opened outside San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

Around two o’clock fans of the OL Reign and Gotham FC (as well as those who root for our own San Diego Wave FC or who simply enjoy watching National Women’s Soccer League action) began arriving in earnest to the free Fan Fest.

Many family-friendly activities welcomed the public on the grass. People kicked soccer balls around, made signs for the big game, enjoyed face painting, took advantage of various unique photo opportunities. Others played sports video games, and others danced to music spun on stage by a DJ.

Players would sign autographs, and those in attendance a bit later on could listen to a concert by Bishop Briggs.

Fans were lined up to buy official NWSL merchandise and game sponsors had fun booths all over the place. The championship trophy was on display, too!

I took the trolley over to Snapdragon Stadium after work and walked about and took these photos. I’m sure the crowd continued to grow after I left.

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San Diego exhibit honors legendary drag racer.

Have you ever seen over 100 trophies won by one person?

You will when you view an exhibit at the San Diego Automotive Museum that honors legendary NHRA drag racer Don Prudhomme!

Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, California native and San Diego resident, has filled shelves with drag racing Wally Trophies during a 47 year career as driver, then team owner. He has been inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. On the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top 50 Drivers 1951-2000, Don Prudhomme is ranked number three.

This impressive exhibit includes a documentary video that features lots of crazy drag racing action. I sat on a bench and watched for several minutes, wondering whether I would have the nerves of steel to race a dragster. Don Prudhomme was the first Funny Car driver to exceed 250 mph. Talk about white knuckles!

If you’re a motorsport fan, you must check out this exhibit. Then wander about the San Diego Automotive Museum to check out dozens of rare, breathtaking cars. I learned during my visit today that six new vehicles were added yesterday to the museum floor!

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Battling for stickball’s The Jillie in San Diego!

A little San Diego drizzle on an early September morning couldn’t stop 16 stickball teams from battling for The Jillie Championship Trophy!

Three days of competition during Labor Day weekend, on three asphalt “fields” in Little Italy, will determine the ultimate champion. Teams have traveled to San Diego from New York, Florida and Puerto Rico to have their name engraved as winners on The Jillie!

I walked down to Little Italy this morning to view several hard-fought games. Batters were concentrating, smashing the ball, sprinting, or sadly fouling or striking out. Fielders were making great catches and throws, occasionally flubbing or misfiring. Taunts and encouragement filled the air as a brotherhood of stickball players shook hands, win or lose.

Head down to Little Italy in downtown San Diego all this Labor Day weekend to watch the action for yourself! You’ll find the main field of battle in front of the San Diego Firehouse Museum at the intersection of Columbia Street and Cedar Street.

Enjoy these photographs…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Labor Day stickball returns to Little Italy!

Young player on the Sidewalk Slammers team takes a swing during the early innings of a fungo-style stickball game.

Big news! After several years’ absence, the big Labor Day weekend stickball tournament is returning to the streets of Little Italy!

This will be the 25th Annual Labor Day Stickball Tournament, and will run all this long weekend, September 2 – 4. It appears there will be 17 or 18 teams competing, according to the San Diego Stickball Facebook page.

Come on down to Little Italy and look for the action! These tournaments are very entertaining to watch! And the players mean business!

The event has a fundraiser here to pay for the necessary permits, and to help a special family. This year’s theme is called “Fallen Heroes Stickball Tournament.” A few family members of a hero lost in battle will Honor him by participating in this year’s event.

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Drone Soccer coming soon to San Diego!

Something super cool is coming to San Diego! Drone Soccer will soon be rolled out to some of the City of San Diego’s Recreation Centers!

What is Drone Soccer? Check out the U.S. Drone Soccer explanatory video here. Flying “soccer balls” powered by drones are maneuvered strategically, as players strive to score goals by flying their ball through an elevated hoop. (Sounds a bit of like Harry Potter’s airborne game of quidditch to me!)

Kids playing Drone Soccer in San Diego will learn all sorts of great STEM knowledge, including robotics, engineering and drone piloting–all the while having lots of fun!

Parks and Recreation had a canopy set up in front of the Municipal Gymnasium today letting people know this is in development. It’s still in the early stages, so there’s no dedicated San Diego webpage or social media page that you can follow just yet. I was told that should be finished shortly.

The hope is that next year, during the U.S. Drone Soccer 2024 National Championships at the San Diego Convention Center, some local teams will be ready to compete! How cool is this!!!

Are there any schools in San Diego that already have Drone Soccer teams? Are you a teacher? You need to check this out! Spread the word!

Meanwhile keep your antennae up. If I learn more in the days ahead, I’ll provide an update here!

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Banners celebrate Wave players in World Cup!

Banners have appeared in downtown San Diego that celebrate the five San Diego Wave FC soccer players who are participating in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup!

Street lamp banners have been hung for Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma playing for the United States; Kailen Sheridan for Canada; Sofia Jakobsson for Sweden; and Emily Van Egmond for Australia! One banner shows all five soccer stars together.

This evening I happened to spy these banners on B Street.

Congrats to the San Diego Wave FC for their incredible popularity, and the inspiration they provide for thousands of young people!

Yes, I need to watch a game at Snapdragon Stadium one day…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Get a special San Diego Padres transit card!

Would you like to get a special, limited edition PRONTO transit card that celebrates the San Diego Padres? I got one today!

Next time you go to Petco Park for a home baseball game, look for an MTS canopy at the Gaslamp Quarter trolley station and grab a free Padres PRONTO card!

I asked what someone should do if they want one of these special cards but don’t find an opportunity to grab one as I did. The friendly MTS community engagement person suggested you should visit the MTS Transit Store at 12th and Imperial, or call 619-595-5636.

Very cool! Go Pads!

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

World Lacrosse Championship action in San Diego!

The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship tournament is presently underway in San Diego. Thirty international teams are competing to play in the Gold Medal Game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, July 1. Learn more about the World Lacrosse Men’s Championship at their website here.

This afternoon I watched the first half of play between Uganda and France at San Diego State University. I know practically nothing about lacrosse, but quickly became excited by the fast-paced play. Fans cheered from the sidelines. Flags waved. I was impressed by the intensity, athleticism, passion and sportsmanship exhibited by both teams.

The lacrosse action was so rapid, in fact, that taking photographs was a challenge. I envy the skills of professional photographers who capture great moments with regularity.

If you love lacrosse or want to experience the sport for your first time, I suggest you watch these very high level games. You can find the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship schedule here.

So who won? When I left at halftime, the score was a close 4-3 in favor of France. I see they ultimately won the game 13-5.

Those four guys posing for my final photograph play for Ireland. They won earlier in the day in a thrilling double-overtime game! No wonder they were smiling!

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!