PLAYING DODGER STADIUM.

Byline: Chris J. Parker Correspondent

Forget March 20 - the first day of spring in Los Angeles is whatever day Dodger Stadium opens for the first regular-season baseball game of the season.

Forty years after its opening, Dodger Stadium is still one of the most beautiful ballparks in America. As Hall of Fame Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda is fond of saying, Dodger Stadium is Blue Heaven.

And it doesn't look a day over 18.

This year, spring starts on Tuesday. The game sold out on the first day tickets were available. And by the time the regular season ends on Sept. 29, approximately 3 million fans will have walked through the turnstiles during the Dodgers' 81-game home schedule.

Most of those fans will enjoy the game they see and the Dodger Dogs they eat, but families no doubt will be frustrated by long lines inside and outside the stadium. Some will be burned - literally - by sitting in seats without shade. And others will be annoyed their seats are so far away from the field, they can't tell what's happening.

But some tried-and-blue Dodger fans know the ``secrets'' of Dodger Stadium, and how to turn a four-hour car ride with kids into a day at the beach.

Here are some of those secrets:

Don't like traffic? Arrive early. The stereotypical Angeleno sports fan arrives late to games and leaves early. That's only half true. Most L.A. fans want to arrive at the stadium just as the game is starting, causing a huge traffic jam and inevitable delays. But if you time your arrival for 30 minutes or more before game time (45 minutes if the game is sold out, like it is Opening Day), you'll breeze through the turnstiles. Plus, if you arrive early enough, you'll get to see the teams take batting and fielding practice.

The parking lot gates at Dodger Stadium usually open two hours before the game is scheduled to start, and the ballpark itself opens 90 minutes before game time. But be forewarned: Parking lot ``tailgate'' parties are prohibited.

Going to a day game? Get seats on the third base side. During the summer, the sun sets behind the third-base reserve section. That means that during a day game the seats along third base get the first shade, seats along first base are in the sun for most of the game, and seats in the outfield bleachers rarely see shade.

What's wrong with a little sun? Nothing, if you come prepared for three hours of full exposure with very little breeze to cool things down. And while the temperatures are moderate at the beginning of the season, by July the thermometer regularly reaches 90 degrees or more. Anyone bringing children or people sensitive to the sun needs to buy seats near the back of the sections or expect to buy a lot of water and Cool-a-Coos at the game.

Hungry? You've got options. Yes, Dodger Dogs are still the main staple of Dodger fans. In fact, last year there were more hot dogs sold at Dodger Stadium than at any other ballpark in the country. Farmer John, maker of Dodger Dogs, delivered more than 2 million dogs to the stadium last season, said spokesman Ron Smith. And 1,148,542 Dodger Dogs were sold last year, according to Dodger Stadium officials.

But you've got options. In the last decade, the Dodgers have added Pizza Hut, burgers and tacos to the mix. Two years ago, the Dodgers began selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts at a few locations inside the stadium.

Those who want to pack their own meal are permitted to bring food into the stadium along with plastic bottles of water and other nonalcoholic beverages of 1 liter or less. But pack light as backpacks and large bags are no longer allowed into the stadium. Glass bottles, cans, hard coolers and alcohol are not permitted inside the stadium.

Gotta go? Wait until the Dodgers are hitting. In 1999, the Dodgers renovated the stadium, adding a new dugout section, more club seats and more field-level seats. What they didn't do was improve the bathrooms.

Dodger Stadium bathrooms are still dark and musty. And they're still overcrowded, although most do have changing tables for parents with babies. By the middle innings of a game, fans frequently lose an inning or more waiting in line for the bathroom.

That's because most fans wait until the Dodgers on the field finish their turn at-bat before leaving for the bathroom. If you want to minimize your line-waiting, leave for the bathrooms when the first Dodger player of the inning reaches the batters box.

Want to catch a ball? Here's another reason to arrive early. Often the players will go to the edge of the field and greet fans - especially the young ones. And they've been known to toss up a ball or sign autographs.

For a chance to catch a home run ball, head for the outfield pavilion seats. To catch a foul ball, sit along the first base line in the field or loge levels. That's where most of them fly.

Looking for fun? Look up. Each section at Dodger Stadium has its own personality. The field level is for true-blue Dodger fans and those people who want to be seen sitting in good seats. The loge section is like a country club. The reserve section is for the Average Joe and the outfield bleachers are for the Average Joes who don't want to drink beer (since alcohol isn't served there).

So who sits in the Top Deck, the small red section at the top of the stadium? Those in the know. Regulars in the Top Deck think they've got the best section at Dodger Stadium for three reasons:

1. Price: At $6 a seat, only the outfield pavilion is as cheap.

2. Site line: The top deck is right on top of home plate (albeit many, many feet above home plate). The straight-ahead view makes it easier to follow the game, from the location of pitches to the flight of fly balls.

3. Location: The best gift shop at Dodger Stadium - the Top of the Park Club - is located at the Top Deck. There's also a parking lot directly behind the Top Deck that is one of the last lots to fill yet is only a few steps away from the stadium entrance.

IF YOU GO

DODGER STADIUM

Where: 1000 Elysian Park Ave., Los Angeles.

Hours: Game times vary. Most weekday starts are at 7:10 p.m. and weekend games typically start at 1:10, 5:10 or 7:10 p.m. The parking lot opens two hours before games are scheduled to start. The stadium opens 90 minutes before scheduled game times.

Cost: Ticket prices vary depending upon location. Field box seats are $21 each, loge box seats are $16, preferred reserve seats are $17, reserve seats are $10, and top deck and outfield pavilion seats are $6. Parking is $8 for automobiles and motorcycles, $25 for large vehicles, including buses, motor homes, limousines.

Information: [phone] or dodgers.com

Parking: The Dodgers have made great strides in recent years on getting cars out of Dodger Stadium after games. Still, the only way to guarantee a quick exit is to either leave early or to park near the Golden State Freeway exit in sections 29 or 33.

Dodgers' promotional days add a little bit more fun for the whole family. Here are some the kids might enjoy:

April 21: LAPD/D.A.R.E. Baseball Card Day

May 5, June 27, Sept. 6: Fireworks nights

May 31: Paul Lo Duca Bobble Head

June 16: Photo Day. Arrive early and take pictures of your favorite players on the field.

June 23, July 21: Autograph days. Players go into the the stands before the game.

July 18: Shawn Green Bobble Head Night

Aug. 11: Trading Card Night

Aug. 20: Mini Bat Night

Aug. 23: Lunch Box Night

Aug. 24: Hideo Nomo Bobble Head Day

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) TRIED AND BLUE

Secrets to enjoying every inning at Dodger Stadium with your kids

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

(2) no caption (child eating pretzel)

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

(3) Dodger fans with painted faces enjoy the view on the upper level of the stadium during the opening-day game.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Box:

Dodgers' promotional days add a little bit more for the whole family. (see text)