For the true baseball fan.....Minor League Ball

[NightWatcher]

If you want to go see a bunch of young guys fighting for a place in the majors or just playing their 20's away, go to your local minor league ballpark.

How many of you go to minor league games? My town has the Mets (blech) Single-A affiliate for the South Atlantic League.....the Sand Gnats. And where else can you get a general admission seat for less than a movie ticket (7$ here)?

I've seen 4 minor league games this year, and havent seen so much as an inning of the pros on tv.


Do any of you frequent minor league games?

[MissMillie]

1. GREAT entertainment

and an inexpensive alternative.

Where Red Sox tix will run at least $60 each, I get get great seats at a Paw Sox game for about $10... the parking is free, and the concession stand charges about half of what is charged at Fenway.

[TZ]

2. I've gone to several..The Frederick Keys

And yeah, there is something to be said for minor league teams..That being said the professionals do play much better quality baseballs and you can't beat the atmosphere of a major league park IMHO..

[NightWatcher]

3. I dunno, we've some hardcore baseball fans here.

I've even seen people scoring every pitch. I never saw that at an Atl Braves game.

[TZ]

7. Too many people at the majors to be able to make that out though

I'm not bashing either..both have their strong points...When I last went to a Keys game I went with my 2 yr old niece..We watched the game for awhile, then went and rode the carosel and then went and played on the playground and then got her some ice cream...a great time. But sitting there in the maginificent cathedrals of major league ballparks...there is definitely something to be said for that too...:)

[madinmaryland]

13. Do you really want to go down that road??

:P

[TZ]

15. You really should go see a Nats game at least once.

The Stadium is beautiful.

[Bertha Venation]

4. The Atlantic League (independent) - the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

They're our team. This will be their second season. Their stadium is less than two miles from our house.

We also love the Bowie Baysox, Orioles' Class AA.

LOVE LOVE LOVE minor league ball!

[NightWatcher]

5. plus they have the best mascots/team names

Sand Gnats, Riverdogs, Mud Hens, Blue Crabs.....

[Bertha Venation]

12. We sponsored a player last year (meaning we gave him a home)

and he's become a good friend. In fact, since I had to go back to work, he's sitting w/ Mrs. V. today (two days post-surgery).

And speaking of team names, this year he's playing in the Golden League for the Yuma Scorpions. Yipes!

[charlie and algernon]

18. I love going to Bowie Baysox games!

I was at their home opener this season and I hope to get to a few more this season.

[Bertha Venation]

19. We went on Saturday night.

Mrs. V.'s last live baseball fix for a while.

[nickgutierrez]

6. Ft. Myers Miracle, Twins' High-A affiliate.

I haven't gone to a game yet this year, but I'll get a few in before the end of the season.

[Richardo]

8. Abso-freakin-lutely

Love minor league ball. Since I'm in a MLB city, I go to college ballgames instead - they're good, too!

[Initech]

9. I love the wacky promotions they come up with.

[ceile]

10. Try to see a Round Rock Express game every few weeks

They're part of the Astros AAA club. Always a good time.

[Bossy Monkey]

11. Hey, give us our team back!

Columbia's team fled, I forget where to actually, but not many years ago we were the Sally League's Mets affiliates. (The Sand Gnats were already in existence under that name then, so I know you didn't really steal our team, just our affiliation.:)) Saw a lot of guys come through here as bonus babies; most petered out before the bigs, though. I know Butch Huskey made it, but I don't think that star-studded career ever quite happened. Now we have the Coastal Plain League, an amateur summer collegiate league that doesn't even start up until May 27th. And I'm finally within easy walking distance of the ballpark, dangit. But to answer the question, I went to a lot of minor league ballgames in my time, and I'll even give the CPL a chance when they finally get rolling.

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. I've been to more than 500 minor league games

I was one of the founders of the Bleacher Creatures at Salinas (Calif.) Municipal Stadium in 1984. Oh, dog, did we have fun for a few years. One of the best times of my life.

One of the best aspects of minor league ball is "I knew him when." It's pretty easy to make friends with ballplayers when they're kids and, in 'A' Ball, likely away from home for the first time. If they make it to the majors, you might find yourself on their pass list for a game. If not, it's still a kick to go to the game early and catch 'em in the bullpen or around the dugout and relive old times while impressing the shit out of your friends. And you can bet you'll then be on the pass list for the next game, if he hasn't used it all up.

Also, things happen at minor-league games that don't happen in the majors, like when a young pitcher marries his bride on the field prior to a game and you're the wedding photographer. Then, sometime during his 16-year career in the majors, you go to a game and do the aforementioned bullpen visit and say, "Hey, Jeff. How's Collette?" Maybe she's at the game and he tells you where she's sitting and she puts a big ol' hug on ya. :D

[SydneyBristow]

16. St. Paul Saints

For last 20 or so years, Minnesotas ONLY outdoor baseball! Partially owned by Bill Murray. Nothing better than Mudonna and the pig bringing extra balls to the umps! Great games, great food, great entertainment. I just wish the old announcer that was there 7 or so years ago was still there!

Syd

[bif]

17. We have a new team in Ypsilanti, MI

And I plan on attending a few games. I think they're in the Frontier League.