Mike the Map

Date: 14 June 2019

Location: Chillicothe, OH

Stadium: VA Memorial Stadium

League: Prospect League

Level: Collegiate Summer

Teams: West Virginia Miners at Chillicothe Paints

I absolutely love visiting this stadium.  This trip is my 4th time overall, first for the 2019 season.  The Paints were an original franchise in the independent Frontier League. When the league started moving into larger market cities, the Paints owner move the team into the Prospect League.  The home stadium is old, built in 1954. But the charm of this stadium is, for me, when you walk into the grandstand and look out onto the field I feel like I’ve traveled back in time. It gives me the impression of what baseball was like at the height of the game when it truly was the national pastime.

The Miners got out to a quick 6-0 lead in the first three innings. Afterwards the Paints offense took off scoring 17 runs in the next five innings to win with a final of 17-6.  I lost count, but between both teams there were at least eight home runs hit.

This was my first ever Prospect League game. I had only discovered this league 2 weeks prior. I did some checking and discovered that this league, along with several others, have teams that college ball players can sign with for the summer, and get paid, as long as they have eligibility remaining. So, essentially, this is a summer job for these students. I love this concept.  With two other Prospect Leagues teams within an hour of my home, this will not be my only league game this season.

On to Stadium #8

Date: 31 May 2019

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Stadium: Great American Ballpark

League: National League

Level: Majors

Teams: Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds

A very nice evening for a ball game.  Even though the date is not May 4th, the Reds are holding Star Wars night.  Way too many people trying to get their picture taken with Darth Vader.

The Reds took control of the game early and jumped on the Nationals starter Patrick Corbin for 5 runs in the bottom of the first.  The Reds then added 3 more runs in the bottom of the third and never looked back.  The National managed to score single runs in the 2nd, 4th and 5th innings, but could never muster enough offense off the Reds pitching.  The final score was 9-3 Reds.

Following tradition, the Reds had their Friday night fireworks.  I stuck around for the entire display.  They seem to always have a grand show on Friday nights.

On to stadium #7….

Date: 25 May 2019

Location: Florence, KY

Stadium: UC Health Stadium

League: Frontier League

Level: Independent

Teams: Southern Illinois Miners at Florence Freedom

Nice evening for a ball game.  Temps were in the Low 80’s, with one small thunderstorm that passed by just north of the stadium.

This is the first stadium I’ve been to that has artificial turf covering the entire filed. This includes the areas that are normally dirt. The turf in the grassy areas was a nice green color, and the turf covering the dirt areas is brown. Makes me wonder how it feels to have to slide on the turf.

There was plenty of offense in this game, except the Freedom just couldn’t push many runs across. Even with 9 hits they lost to the visitors 6-1.

The highlight for me a contest that was held by placing a fan on top of the right field fence. If a Freedom batter hit a home run and hit this fan, they would win (I think) $100. Too bad nobody hit him.  🙂

On to Stadium #6…..

Date: 12 May 2019

Location: Columbus, OH

Stadium: Huntington Park

League: International League

Level: AAA

Teams: Syracuse Mets at Columbus Clippers

One of my favorite minor league stadiums to visit.  This stop almost didn’t happen. This was game 3 of a three game series in Columbus.  The Friday and Saturday night games were plagued with rain. I had made the decision not to go to each only a couple hous before I needed to leave.  Since the only game left on this particular weeknd was the Sunday game, I made the decision to go early that morning. Regardless, the day was overcast with the temperature in the mid 50’s.  Just like games 1 and 2 in this series, the rains paid a visit in the 7th inning. Good thing I brought a rain coat.

I really wanted to see the Syracuse Mets play this season.  I’m a HUGE Florida Gators fan and Tim Tebow is playing with the S. Mets this season.

The game was actually somewhat boring.  The Clippers had no offense this day, managing only one hit, a single in the bottom of the 6th.  The Mets put up runs in the 5th and 8th innings to win the game 2-0.  My buddy Tim had a less than stellar day offensively. He was 1-3, with a strikeout. After his single leading off the 8th inning, he was subsequently picked off first.

On to stadium #5…..

Date: 5 May 2019

Location: Nashville, TN

Stadium: First Tennessee Park

League: Pacific Coast League

Level: AAA

Teams: Memphis Redbirds at Nashville Sounds

Another stadium visit that didn’t go as planned.  My initial desires were to go on May 4th, because it was Star Wars Day (We went on the same day last season). Unfortunately there was a death in the family, which had us spending May 4th in West Virginia.  We headed back that afternoon hoping to make it to Nashville in time for the game.  A longshot, but I was determined.  Alas, the fates worked against us and we left West Virginia later than I expected.  Good thing. We hit a lot of rain on the drive through Tennessee. This rain also played a part in the game being postponed until May 5th.

Lucky us. We decided to head to the ballpark Early Sunday morning.  The game that was postponed was to be played on the 5th as part of a double-header. Wow, two double-headers in a row for me. For these games I was accompanied by Jade D.

The weather was a huge improvement from the previous day.  The rain had pushed east and Nashville had a spectacular day. The temperature at game time (2:05 pm CDT) was in the upper 70’s.

Unfortunately, the home team dropped the first game 11-2.  The second game started 30 minutes after the first ended.  Nashville took the night cap 7-5.

On to Stadium #4…..

Date: 20 Apr 2019

Location: Cleveland, OH

Stadium: Progressive Field

League: American League

Level: Major

Teams: Atlanta Braves at Cleveland Indians

Originally a single game, but was rescheduled as a double header due to a rain out on 19 Apr.

For me this was a rematch of the 1995 World Series (as I am a huge Braves fan). Attended the game with my buddy Jeff J.

Game one started at 4:10pm EDT. The weather was partly cloudy, but the temperature was holding steady in the low 50’s. thankfully I was prepared by bring along my new Braves hoodie! The game progressed and the weather turned. By the end of the game the temperature had dropped into the mid 40’s.

The game itself was basically even for the first 5 innings, with the score tied 2-2 after the top of the fifth. The Indians proceed to bat around in the bottom of the fifth, scoring 6 runs to take a 6-2 lead. The Braves simply could not mount a come back, managing two solo home runs in the late innings and lost by a final score of 8-4.

Game two Jeff and I managed to move down to the field level, behind the Indians dugout. Much nicer seats. The game started at 7:50pm EDT. By the first pitch the temperature had dropped to the low 40’s. The Indians got off to a great start in this game by scoring 7 runs in the first two innings. After 7 innings of play the Indians held a 7-3 lead. Seemed like a double header sweep was in store for Cleveland. Luckily, the Braves managed to score 5 runs in the top of the ninth (the game tying and go-ahead runs scored with two outs and two strikes on the batter), then hold the Indians in the bottom of the ninth to pull out an exciting 8-7 win.

I was frozen but happy!

On to Stadium #3……..

Date: 4 Apr 2019

Location: Dayton, OH

Stadium: Fifth Third Field

League: Midwest League

Level: A

Teams: Bowling Green Hotrods at Dayton Dragons

Opening night for the Dragons. Attended the game with Jade D. Game time temperature was in the mid 50’s. Rain was forecast, but never really developed. The wind did pick up, making it feel like the temperature was in the 40’s.

The team and stadium are celebrating the 20th season of the Dayton Dragons.  Plenty of anniversary merchandise available.

The Dragons looked like they had not played together very long. They dropped their opener by a score of 3-2.

On to Stadium #2………..

Since this year is a milestone year for me, I’ve decided that I will visit no less than 20 professional baseball ballparks. All playing levels of baseball are included, from Collegiate Summer leagues, Rookie leagues to Major League Baseball.

On to Stadium #1…..

So much has happened in my life since my last post. I’ve gained some new friends, lost some old ones, visited a few new places, and watched my beautiful wife simply take off in her career.  There will be some updates and some new stories soon…….