East Bound and Down

Lansing Lugnuts vs. Clinton Lumber Kings (Midwest League)

Cooley Law School Stadium-Lansing, MI:  No trip back to Michigan would be complete without us stopping by one of our old ballparks to see a game, and this particular game I’ve been looking forward to since it announced it back in February.  The Lugnuts were paying homage to one of Lansing’s favorite sons, the late, great Burt Reynolds!  As with many kids growing up, I didn’t just love baseball, but I love cars.  And what better car than the Pontiac Firebird driven by The Bandit.  I bought my second Firebird in 2017, and Brian instantly fell in love with it.  Since then he’s watch the Smokey and the Bandit films many times over, and we have a nice collection of die cast Firebirds.  Now we have a Burt Reylonds/Bandit bobble head to add to our collection.

We got in line early, as we didn’t want to miss out on the free giveaway.  I credit Brian for this, as it was his idea to skip dinner and get in line, as he really new what this game meant to me.  After we received our bobble heads, we were bombarded with people trying to buy them from us immediately, with offers up to $30 (of course they’re all selling on eBay for $100-$200).  I really had to convince Brian to hold on to his!  We hit the gift shop to get our Lugnuts/Bandit shirts and then got ready for the game.  Lansing had a 1977 Trans Am drive around the field, also, in a tribute to Burt, and the Lugnuts whore special Bandit jerseys, as seen below.

During all of this car excitement, we also were able to watch a really good baseball game.  Lansing jumped out to a three run lead, but Clinton battled back to send the game into extra innings.  Ryan Gold led the offense for the Lugnuts, knocking in two runs on one hit, while Tanner Kirwir went 2-5 with two runs scored.  Cre Finfrock took the loss for Lansing, giving up two runs in the 10th.  Final (10):  Lugnuts 4, Lumber Kings 5.

The Lugnuts also had a few Firebirds outside of the stadium for us to gauk at.

This is one of the best theme nights we’ve been to in a long time. A night combining our love of baseball and cars was amazing!  And I’ll leave you with a YouTube video:

Video and photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Bats games with Bri

Louisville Bats vs. Columbus Clippers/Toledo MudHens (International League)

Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  I’m combining a couple of games we went to before our trip up to Michigan. After battling rain for the first few months of the season, we have been battling extreme heat since then.  I miss when the Bats played their Sunday games at 6:00 instead of at 2:00.  Makes the heat a little more bearable.

The game against Columbus featured a nice comeback from the Bats.  Down 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Louisville’s offense kicked in, scoring five runs to tie things up.  The Bats scored one more in the seventh, then held on for the win.  Leading the way was Narciso Cook, going 2-4 with a pair of RBI’s.  Cassidy Brown added a two RBI’s himself, while Nick Longhi got two hits and two runs scored.  Eric Stout picked up the win pitching one scoreless inning, while R.J. Alaniz earned the save.  FINAL:  Bats 7, Clippers 6.

Louisville’s game against Toledo took place the day we left for our trip north.  It’s always good to see the Tigers’ affiliates play, also.  This one was close early, but Toledo would score two runs in back-to-back innings to take the lead.  The teams made the last two innings interesting also, but the Mud Hens would get 16 hits off Louisville pitching, en route to the win.  Christian Colon lead the way for the Bats, going 2-4 with two RBI’s.  Blake Trahan also went 2-4, and contributed one RBI.   Vladimir Gutierrez took the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits in five innings of work.  The Bat’s relief pitchers didn’t fare much better.  FINAL:  Bats 4, Mud Hens 9.

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Father’s Day 2019

Louisville Bats vs. Buffalo Bisons (International League)

Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  Not too many places I’d rather be than at a baseball game with my son on Fathers Day!

As far as the game, it was another rough one for the home team.  Keury Mella got roughed up taking the loss, giving up seven runs (only three earned) in 2.2 innings.  Two other pitchers gave up two earned runs each, also.  Christian Colon went 1-2 with an RBI, and Aristides Aquino went 1-3 with an RBI, which was all the offense the Bats could muster.

A great Father’s Day with Trevor.  He was back in Michigan most of last summer, so this was the first game he’s had a chance to go to with me since the 2017.

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Marvel-ous

Louisville Bats vs. Buffalo Bisons (International League)

Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  One of the games Brian really wanted to see this season, was the first Marvel Super Hero Night.  They were giving away Captain Marvel bobble-heads, but due to heavy traffic, we weren’t able to get one, which upset Brian a bit.

The game definitely wasn’t a pitcher’s duel.  Brad Markey took the loss on the mound, throwing 4.1 innings and giving up six earned runs. The Bats made a game of it, scoring five runs in the seventh, but came up short.  Aristides Aquino had a day, going 2-5 with four RBI’s and two runs scored.  FINAL:  Bats 8, Bisons 11.

We were able to see Spider-Man and Ant-Man, but the lines were too long and Brian didn’t want to wait to get a photo with them.

A fun ballgame to watch for sure, and looking forward to Father’s Day right after this one.  Before the game Goldy Locks put on a little concert that we thought was pretty amazing!

Video and photos property of Minoring In Baseball

 

 

Almost Memorial Day

Louisville Bats vs. Toledo Mud Hens (International League)

Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  Back at the Bats the day before Memorial Day.  A great time of year for baseball, but we keep battling rain almost every game so far this season.  A little rain delay pushed this game back a bit, but we were ready to go at the first pitch. The Bats were playing the Mud Hens, so we were sporting our Tigers gear for this one.

On to the game, and as it’s been a rough season for the Bats, this wasn’t a rough game.  Louisville exploded for six runs in the fourth inning to salt this one away.  Christian Colon went 5-5 with three RBI’s to be the hero of this one. Nick Longhi also added two RBI’s, going 3-4 to pitch in.  On the bump, Keury Mella earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings and giving up five runs.  Alex Powers got the save.  Final: Bats 7, Mud Hens 5.

Fun day, but we didn’t stick around for the fireworks as Brian wasn’t feeling well. More baseball to come for us at Slugger Field this summer, though.

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Bats thwart the Knights

Louisville Bats vs. Charlotte Knights (International League)

Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  Finally our first Bats game of the season.  It was a little cool, and we had some rain, but nothing that would spoil out fun.  Back with our Sunday seats, also, which we’ve had for a few years now.  It was also Mother’s Day, so there was the ‘pink’ theme to the games.

We had some free baseball from the get go, as the teams finished three innings of Saturday nights game that was suspended due to rain.  The Knights beat the Bats 7-6 in this one, but Louisville would get revenge in game two, as that one would go extra innings.

Christian Colon lead the way for the Bats, going 3-4 with an RBI.  Phillip Ervin added a pair of RBI’s of his own, as well as a run scored.  Anthony Bass ended up with the win for Louisville, pitching the final 1.2 innings, including the 10th.  In the bottom of the 10th, Stuart Turner earned a base on balls, scoring Ervin for the win.  FINAL:  Bats 5, Knights 4.

Good to be back at Slugger Field, we’d be back the follow week for more baseball and rain…

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

 

Legend-wait for it-dary

Lexington Legends vs. Delmarva Shorebirds (South Atlantic League)

Whitaker Bank Ballpark-Lexington, KY:  One our way back from Tennessee, we decided to make a stop in Lexington for a ballgame.  Am a big fan of Single-A ball and Whitaker Bank Ballpark, so lots to like about this game.  This was actually Brian’s first game here, also.  It had been rainy all day, but cleared up enough for us to enjoy the game.

Brian also got a game ball, and got a photo op with Big L.

On to the game,  as it was an exciting one.  A couple different players pitched in offensively for the Legends. Chase Vallot went 1-3 with an RBI, while  Matt Morales went 1-4 with an RBI.  On the mound, Kris Bubic threw five innings, giving up four runs, but striking out seven.  Jon Heasley earned the win, throwing a shutout inning in the ninth.

A fun night of baseball, even though we were pretty tired, but I’m always up for a game here.  This trip was a great start to the 2019 season, and we look forward to some Bats games in the coming weeks.

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Opening Night at the Smokies

Tennessee Smokies vs. Mississippi Braves (Southern League)

Smokies Stadium-Kodak, TN:  This year Brian, Papa, and I decided to kick off the 2019 Minor League season in the Smoky Mountains for opening day.  We were staying at the tourist trap this is Gatlinburg, so it wasn’t much of a drive up to the quaint little town of Kodak, Tennessee.

This was our first trip to Smokies Stadium, and it was definitely one I’m glad we were able to come to.  The ballpark has some nice sightlines and scenery in the outfield.  And, of course, Brian had to get a pic with the Smokies mascot, Homer!

As for the game, it was a back-and-forth thriller.  Robel Garcia led the way for the Smokies on offence. He went 3-5 with 2 RBI’s.  Jared Young also added an RBI, scored two runs, and went 2-5.  On the mound, Wyatt Short earned the victory for Tennessee while Craig Brooks earned the save.

This was a great way to kick off our minor league season,  It was a fun game to watch with great company and great weather.  Would very much recommend a game here, and we’ll try to get in another game next time we’re in the area.

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Volunteering in Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Belmont Bruins (NCAA)

Lindsey Nelson Stadium-Knoxville, TN:  The first game of our trip this year (not a pure baseball trip, but vacation non-the-less), was a college game in Knoxville.  Knoxville is a beautiful town, and the Tennessee campus is great.  The only real beef I have with this ballpark is that they didn’t let be bring a bag inside.  For many of us that attend games, we know we must have all of our ‘stuff’, including baseball gloves, sun block, camera, rain ponchos, etc.  Working for DHS, I understand safety protocal, but not allowing fans to bring their ‘stuff’ in is simply laziness of the security staff, and not wanting to do their jobs.

On a more positive note, Brian did get a game ball…

As for the game, the Volunteers were hosting another Tennessee team, the Belmont Bruins.  This was a solid game for the home team, as they put up some runs.  Leading the way for the Volunteers were Justin Ammons, who went 2-3 with two runs scored, and Jay Charleston, who went 1-2 with a run scored and three RBI’s.  On the mound, Will Heflin earned the win.  He pitched three innings allowing one run, and striking out one.  FINAL:  Volunteers 6, Bruins 2.

The night ended on a good note, as well, as we were reunited with former West Michigan Whitecaps and Traverse City Beach Bum Ross Kivett, who is now a coach with the Volunteers.

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Bats Open House 2019

Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  It’s that time of year again, when the Bats welcome their season ticket holders to the ballpark for a day of fun.

Similar to the other years, we were able to check out the clubhouse, locker room, press box, and a suite. We still love the food in those suites, and vow to get one after I win the Power Ball!

As usual, we had a good time and this event gets us ready for the upcoming season. Below is a video with some of the photos, too, from the event. We plan on starting the season with a new ballpark and the Tennessee Smokies, so check back soon.

Video and photos property of Minoring In Baseball