Take a break from baseball, pop a few Ibuprofen and turn on ABC’s The Bachelorette to see your favorite ballpark sparkling on the screen. The episode airs Monday, July 10, 2023, and features a “date” in San Diego at Petco Park with Bachelorette Charity Lawson and something called Brayden Bowers. Petco Park, already a well-known symbol of both heartbreak and life-long romance, serves as a fitting backdrop for young lovers looking for their first ring.

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Episode Recap

From Deadline: The date kicks off on a high note though, as the pair sip champagne in the air before landing in the middle of Petco Park. San Diego is Brayden’s hometown, so he’s excited to show Charity the city through his eyes. Read more…

From Entertainment Weekly: “Me and Brayden have the whole park to ourselves,” says Charity. “I’m trying to make him feel at ease because he’s from here, this is a team that he supports.” …Anyhow, out comes the Swinging Friar, the San Diego Padres’ mascot, bearing personalized jerseys and other assorted gear for Charity and Brayden.Read more…

From The Decider: The two took a helicopter ride (that would have greatly benefited from Succession theme music) to Petco Park and spent their date playing catch, hitting balls, and “being stupid, playful, and fun” on the Padres field. The date seemed like a home run until Brayden admitted he was unsure if he could stay on the show because Charity is dating other people. Read more…

What is the Bachelorette

Yes, right. Fair question. The Bachelorette is a reality tv dating game show that premiered on ABC in 2003 as a spin-off of “The Bachelor.” The show follows a single bachelorette who chooses a potential husband from a group of romantic interests. The first season featured Trista Rehn, the runner-up from the first season of “The Bachelor.” Over the years, the show has become an annual staple of ABC’s summer programming. The format of “The Bachelorette,” similar to “The Bachelor,” has the bachelorette meeting and eliminating contestants through rose ceremonies. The season culminates in a final rose ceremony where one suitor proposes to the bachelorette.

Bachelorette Season 20 (2023)

The 20th season of The Bachelorette premiered on June 26, 2023, and features Charity Lawson, a 27-year-old child and family therapist, as the Bachelorette. The host of the season is Jesse Palmer.

The season began with 25 contestants, including notable individuals such as WWE NXT wrestler Caleb Balgaard, Guinness World Record holder Chris Spell, and Sean McLaughlin, son of politician Steven McLaughlin. The first episode featured limo arrivals, where the men tried to make a lasting impression on Charity. The second episode included a tour of Hollywood, a dodge bowl competition, and a chance to break a Bachelor Nation record. In the third episode, Charity and her suitors went on dates in San Diego and Oceanside, California.