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| Opening night at Municipal Stadium (April 2015) |
Hagerstown, MD
Life in single-A baseball: the
players are young. The reporters from the local television station are young as
well. Even if the stadium is old. A well-used outfield wall still bears the
faded advertisements of seasons past. There are consistent themes to baseball
in Hagerstown: hand-operated scoreboards, small crowds, not much traffic. The
stadium is surrounded by abandoned factories and businesses. Just behind the
grandstand (and beyond a small creek) stands the closed Hagerstown Spring Works
company, with several semi-tractor trailers exposed to the elements in front.
Beyond the right field wall, adjacent to Antietam Creek, the old Municipal
Electric Light Plant has been in the process of being demolished
over the summer.
During the 2015 season, the
Hagerstown Suns are celebrating their 35th anniversary season.
I was privileged to witness the inaugural
Pink Elephant Race to the dugout, sponsored by a local liquor store. Four
mascot contested the race: Pink Elephant (Eli), Tipsy, Fin and Brutus.
I overheard a couple of guys
discussing different aspects of the game. One asked, “What is Woolie?” His
friend deadpanned, “Weird.”
Apparently while smoking is not
allowed in ballparks, vaping is allowed in Municipal Stadium. A fan in the
third base grandstand was chain smoking an e-cigarette. Before the end of the
night she was hit in the arm by a foul ball as she maintained a desperate grip
on her device.
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| Panoramic picture from the grandstand on opening night |
One of the fixtures of Municipal
Stadium is Big Tony, a gregarious employee. Ostensibly, Tony is a vendor,
hawking peanuts, cotton candy and sunflower seeds. In reality, Tony is much
more. With a hand towel thrown over his should, he often leads cheers from the
stands, whistling the cavalry charge and demanding the fans to finish with:
“Charge!” During radio broadcasts his whistle can be heard in the background.
While not working for the Suns, Tony is a fourth-grade math teacher. His mood and
demeanor is infectious. It is no wonder that fans come to Suns game to see him.
Sophia, about five-years old, waited all winter to see the big man and was shy
when she finally caught his attention. A young patron, Amber, had the entire grandstand
saying, “Hi Amber!” at the urging of Tony during an afternoon in August.
With small crowds, it is easy to
pick out the regulars and odd people. An argument broke out in the stands
between a bearded guy, who frequently sits in the first base bleachers and
often complains vociferously about many aspects of the game, and other fans who
grew weary of his constant negativity. He even drew my silent ire when the Suns
manager, Brian Daubach, came out of the dugout when the two batters reached in
the eighth inning. Daubach called the entire infield into the pitching mound,
obviously to discuss defensive strategy. The bearded man began screaming and
berating Daubach when the manager return to dugout without changing pitchers.
Other fans, tired of his constant complaining, confronted him about his verbal
abuse.
My last game of the year at
Municipal Stadium is always a melancholy even. It always make me wonder where
the summer has gone. My thought are geared toward, “Next year, I will…” This
year it was tempered knowing that I still had a couple more minor league games
to go, but not at Municipal Stadium. At the end of each season, I think about
how many games will be played at the ball park that opened in 1930. The Suns nearly
vacated Hagerstown a couple of seasons ago, but the deal fell through. Yet one
wonders if the days of professional baseball are numbered at Municipal Stadium.
On the last Sunday game of the season, you would hope that there will be more
than 857 paying customers. But there was not.
Game
16 April 2015: Hagerstown
Suns vs. Lakewood Blueclaws
30 August 2015: Hagerstown
Suns vs. Kannapolis
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| Wrigley
Field in April 2015; note the empty bleachers as work continues on stadium renovations |
Chicago, IL
Built in 1914 as the home of the
Chicago Whales of the Federal League, Wrigley Field became the home of the
Chicago Cubs in 1916. Construction of Wrigley Field began on 23 February 1914
at a cost of a quarter million dollars. The intimate setting and proximity to
the field makes the park a favorite among baseball fans.
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| Beneath the grandstand in Wrigley Field |
I first started following the
Cubs in 1979 when we first got cable television. The Cubs, when at home, would
be on in the afternoon when I got home from school. The occasional television
images of teenagers on Wakefield waiting to snag a homerun ball was enticing. A
few years later, when Harry Caray joined the broadcast teams, Cubs games became
must-see television. I remember WGN broadcasts cameras, when the Cubs were at
bat, trying to avoid showing Mark Grace smoking cigarettes.
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| Panoramic photo prior to the game |
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| Ron Santo statue outside Wrigley Field |
I came hoping to see Kris
Bryant’s first hit, instead I saw, on his first chance in the first inning, his
first error. Later in the fifth inning he recorded his first hit, a single.
There were a lot of Ernie Banks jerseys around the stadium. A number of
Sandberg items sold in the souvenir stands. A guy sitting in front of me with a
Kyle Farnsworth jersey.
Eamus Catuli: AC 07 70 107
Game
18 April 2015: Chicago
Cubs vs. San Diego Padres
McCoy Stadium
Pawtucket, RI
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| McCoy Stadium from the outfield lawn seats |
There is quite a bit of foul
territory, especially in the infield area, at McCoy Stadium. The rounded nature
of the bleachers, allows for a bulge of territory along the first and third
base lines.
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| McCoy Stadium at sunset |
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| The
line score, painted on the grandstand wall, for the longest game in organized baseball history (33 innings) |
Game
10 July 2015: Pawtucket
Red Sox vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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| Looking down the third base line toward the press box |
New Britain Stadium
New Britain, CT
I came to see the Rock Cats one
final time before the team relocated the 12 or so miles up the road to become
the Hartford Yard Goats for the 2016 season.
It has been eleven years since I
last visited New Britain Stadium (in 2004). Although I had not been back to the
stadium since I moved, I continued to follow the Rock Cats for a while, and
even saw the team play in Harrisburg. New Britain was never my favorite
stadium, but the Rock Cats are a reminder of a good year spent in the area. I
am sad about the demise of the team because it is another tie to the area that
is disappearing.
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New Britain Stadium
hosting the double-A New Britain
Rock Cats for the final season
|
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| Rockie, mascot of the New Britain Rock Cats |
One change was the introduction
of the Dunkin Donut race, featuring three mascots: hot coffee, iced coffee, and
donut.
(30 August 2015) In the final
game in New Britain, the Rock Cats closed out New Britain Stadium in dramatic
fashion. A walk-off homerun in the 15th inning secured a 7-5 victory over the
Portland Sea Dogs.
Game
11 July 2015: New Britain
Rock Cats vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Metro Bank Park
Harrisburg, PA
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Metro Bank Park at Sunset
|
Originally built in 1987, the
ballpark was substantially remodeled between 2008 and 2010. Located on City Island,
other Harrisburg teams played on the exact spot from 1907 to 1952. Among the
other teams that played on City Island was the Harrisburg Giants, a member of
the Negro National League. A historical marker commemorates the team just
outside the stadium.
In an interesting turn of
events, the “All Male Dance Team,” a group of middle-aged men dance between
innings early most game nights. The dance is sponsored by The Spot and features
a choreographed dance to “Apache” by the Sugarhill Gang.
Rather than a mascot race, Harrisburg
hosts a monkey race featuring Bongo (red jersey), Steve (white), and Bingo
(blue). The race is introduced by a video montage of the monkeys running in
Harrisburg with background music of “Hey, Hey, We’re the Monkees.” Then, the
three monkeys enter the stadium from the outfield wall and race down the first
baseline.
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| Cody enjoys Wet Nose Wednesday |
One of the witty parts of a
game in Harrisburg is to see how songs are employed to distract opponents. For
example, when the Richmond Flying Squirrels were in town, Adalberto Mejia was serenaded
by Abba’s “Mama Mia” each time he came to the plate. When an opposing batter
has two strikes, the scoreboard flashes, “Fear the Flair.” A strike out elicits
derision from Rick Flair, who on the video boards provides his signature yell, “Wooooooo,”
which is mimicked by the Senator faithful.
The Senators have had a number
of appealing promotions this season. Each Wednesday home game is “Wet Nose
Wednesday,” when fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark; on 25 July, a globe
with mayflies (instead of snow), featuring Bryce Harper will be given away;
and, Bill Buckner made an appearance at the stadium on 5 August. We attended a
Wet Nose Wednesday in September, which was well attended by canine fans.
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Historical marker, outside
the stadium, in honor of
the Harrisburg Giants
|
At the end of the game, as
everyone is filing out, the public address system plays “Good Night,” by the Beatles.
(21 July) Near perfect game: New
Hampshire pitcher Casey Lawrence took a perfect came into the 7th inning when
he gave up a one-out single to Shawn Pleffner. It was Pleffner’s first at bat
after he replaced Ryan Zimmerman who was on a rehab assignment from the
Washington Nationals. Pleffner was erased when the next batter, Brian Goodwin,
hit into an inning ending double play. Lawrence returned for the eighth inning,
but gave up three more hits and a run in his final inning of work.
Game
21 July 2015: Harrisburg
Senators vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats
2 September 2015:
Harrisburg Senators vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels
Pittsburgh
Opened in 2001.
PNC Park is located on the site
as Exposition Park (along the Allegheny River), the home of the Pirates prior
to 1909.
A pregame ceremony honored the
Franchise Four from the Pirates: Clemente, Stargell, Mazerowski and Honus
Wagner. Mazerowski, the only survivor of the four made an appearance on the
field.
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| Bill Mazeroski prior to the game |
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| PNC Park at sunset |
Pittsburgh was the birth site,
albeit at Forbes Field rather than PNC, of one of the more ironic traditions in
baseball. Prior to 1921, patrons who caught a baseball, hit or thrown into the
stands, were obliged to toss the ball back on to the field of play. In 1921
three Pittsburgh fans were arrested for refusing to return foul balls. One of
the three, who was roughed up by a police officer, threatened to sue the police
officer and the city as a result. The out of court settlement with the fan was
also accompanied with a statement that fans “may keep balls knocked into the
stands without fear of being molested by policemen.”
One of the most iconic parts of
attending a Pirates game, as well as the Penguins, is the concessionaires.
Among my favorites was “Cotton Candy Man” (Kenny Geidel), whose high pitch
call for lemonade and cotton candy could be heard across several parts of the stadium.
Kenny
died in 2011, just one day after working his final Pirates game. Likewise,
T.C.’s distinctive whistle as he encourages fans to buy beer can be heard over
television and radio broadcasts as well.
25 July 1930: Josh Gibson made
his Negro League debut with the Homestead Grays.
Game
July 2015: Pittsburgh
Pirates vs. Washington Nationals
Bowman Field
Williamsport, PA
The stadium lays claim to be the
second oldest in the minor league field currently operating in the United
States. Opened in 1926, the first game played at Bowman field was between the
Williamsport Giants and the Harrisburg Giants of the Negro National League.
Mascot: Boomer
Patron: “How much?” Vendor: “For
you, $3.49. Everyone else pays $3.50.”
Scoring note: Bottom 3rd – A
cotton- tailed rabbited entered the playing field and went for a little run in
right-field, near the West Virginia bullpen.
Game
10 August 2015:
Williamsport Cross Cutters vs. West Virginia Black Bears
Victory Field
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| Panoramic view of Victory Field (2015) |
Indianapolis, IN
Opened: 1996
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| Rowdie |
Going to Victory Field in
Indianapolis feels somewhat bland. Despite its interesting and evocative
downtown location, attending a game lacks a certain spark. In some ways it
feels like the people, the team and the city are going through the motions
without embracing what it means to be a Triple-A city, analogous to a Stepford town. Perhaps it would have
been a little different the following night when the Indians were to honor the
Indianapolis Clown Negro League team.
Mascot: Rowdie
Cow Race, sponsored by Chick
Fil’A
Game
13 August 2015:
Indianapolis Indians vs. Toledo Mud Hens
Fifth Third Field
Dayton, OH
Opened: 2000
When Dayton passed the 815th
consecutive sellout, it set a record for all professional sports franchises.
The game set the mark by surpassing the Portland Trailblazers who held the
previous record at 814 games. At the end of the 2014 season, the team had amassed
1051 consecutive sellouts and was considered the most value franchise in all
minor league baseball.
The Dragons provide fun and
interesting entertainment that is largely unmatched. For example, the Dayton Drumline,
a community organized drum corps, performed before the game and between
innings. A local dance team, of middle school girls, performed routines between
innings. And a local superhero, Roofman, prowled along the roof of the stadium
throwing t-shirts and softballs into the stands while the public address system
played “Oh Yeah,” by Yello.
Of course we go to games to see
or experience baseball feats we have not experienced before. We were amazed
that a full, nine inning game could finish in under two hours. Time of game:
1:57.
Game
14 August 2015: Dayton
Dragons vs. Burlington Bees
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| Frawley Stadium (September 2015) |
Frawley Stadium
Wilmington, DE
Opened: 1993
Located near the Riverwalk in Wilmington,
Frawley Stadium sits just southwest of downtown. Interstate 95 runs near the
left field wall, while downtown buildings are seen over the right field wall. Opened
in 1993, the field is named after Judy Johnson, a native of Wilmington, who
played in the Negro Leagues for sixteen seasons in the 1920s and 1930s.
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| Statue of Judy Johnson in front of the stadium |
There are several interesting culinary
choices at the stadium. Of course, it would not be Delaware if Grotto Pizza
were not available, and so it is at Frawley Stadium. One of the more bizarre
choices is a Sweenie Donut Dog, a hotdog on a bun made from a glazed donut with
raspberry jelly.
Mascot: Rocky
Game
5 September 2015:
Wilmington Blue Rocks vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Wilmington DE Baseball History
An earlier incarnation of the
Wilmington Blue Rocks played in the Interstate League from 1940 to 1952. Home
games were played at the Wilmington Park, located at 30th and Governor Printz
Blvd.
A few Negro League teams hailed
from the city as well: The Wilmington Quaker Giants (1930-31) an independent
Negro team, and the Wilmington Potomacs (1925) from the Eastern Colored League.
Others Baseball
Sites
I was driving in southcentral New York when I happened
upon this abandoned baseball field and South New Berlin.
Monument for Walter Alston in Darrtown, Ohio, the
birthplace of the legendary manager.
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