Have some minor league baseball games coming up....

Tomorrow going to see the Birmingham Barons host the Biloxi Shuckers. Birmingham was awarded the 2018 Southern League All-Star game, and to celebrate, tomorrow is a promotion event where they are giving out pretty cool looking t-shirts celebrating the 2018 Southern League All-Star Game. It's also sponsored by Wind Creek Casino (you know all these minor league giveaways always have somebody's logo on it), and I happen to think it's a pretty cool looking sponsor, too.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDskq4tXcAIBehT.jpg


Later this month I'll be attending a game in Pensacola, where the Pensacola Blue Wahoos are hosting--yes, the Biloxi Shuckers again. I've always wanted to go to a Blue Wahoos game. We go "fairly" often to Pensacola, and I've never made it work, but this time the stars seem aligned. Gotta get me some Blue Wahoo apparel.

We had a thread a year or two ago about Minor League Baseball hats and such that you either owned or thought looked cool. I had some from places like the Space Coast, Brevard County Manatees; the Durham Bulls (go figure), the Birmingham Barons, that I really liked. Unfortunately, I don't think the "Barons" pass the "cool" test, although certainly, they are my favorite team. At the time there were two minor league teams that I really wanted to land, with a third right behind:

a) Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Should be able to land that one this summer.
b) Biloxi Shuckers. Something about oysters as your mascot is appealing in a funky, minor league kinda way that appeals to me a lot. But I'd prefer to get it at a game they host, so I'll have to look for a road trip.
c) Montgomery Biscuits.

Love all three names. Can't wait.

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Originally Posted by Darrell KSR

Tomorrow going to see the Birmingham Barons host the Biloxi Shuckers. Birmingham was awarded the 2018 Southern League All-Star game, and to celebrate, tomorrow is a promotion event where they are giving out pretty cool looking t-shirts celebrating the 2018 Southern League All-Star Game. It's also sponsored by Wind Creek Casino (you know all these minor league giveaways always have somebody's logo on it), and I happen to think it's a pretty cool looking sponsor, too.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDskq4tXcAIBehT.jpg


Later this month I'll be attending a game in Pensacola, where the Pensacola Blue Wahoos are hosting--yes, the Biloxi Shuckers again. I've always wanted to go to a Blue Wahoos game. We go "fairly" often to Pensacola, and I've never made it work, but this time the stars seem aligned. Gotta get me some Blue Wahoo apparel.

We had a thread a year or two ago about Minor League Baseball hats and such that you either owned or thought looked cool. I had some from places like the Space Coast, Brevard County Manatees; the Durham Bulls (go figure), the Birmingham Barons, that I really liked. Unfortunately, I don't think the "Barons" pass the "cool" test, although certainly, they are my favorite team. At the time there were two minor league teams that I really wanted to land, with a third right behind:

a) Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Should be able to land that one this summer.
b) Biloxi Shuckers. Something about oysters as your mascot is appealing in a funky, minor league kinda way that appeals to me a lot. But I'd prefer to get it at a game they host, so I'll have to look for a road trip.
c) Montgomery Biscuits.

Love all three names. Can't wait.

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https://ballparkbiz.files.wordpress....rs-primary.jpg

Sugar Land Skeeters has the cool factor.


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Always a great time at the ballpark :)

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Originally Posted by blueboss

https://ballparkbiz.files.wordpress....rs-primary.jpg

Sugar Land Skeeters has the cool factor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Definitely.

Home team lost Game 1, 3-1. Good game, but game 2 underway and better pitcher on the mound for the Barons, at least based on the first three batters. 92+ mph Fastball, slider and change up and looks good.

Never a bad day at the Park.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ca1340d87a.jpg

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Originally Posted by Darrell KSR

Definitely.

Home team lost Game 1, 3-1. Good game, but game 2 underway and better pitcher on the mound for the Barons, at least based on the first three batters. 92+ mph Fastball, slider and change up and looks good.

Never a bad day at the Park.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ca1340d87a.jpg

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Just around the corner is McGuire's Steak House.... one of my favorites... that is if you're in Pensacola?


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Will be, but today in Birmingham at beautiful Regions Park. Barons managed a split today, bringing out the bats in Game 2 to score 10 and win 10-4.

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Originally Posted by Darrell KSR

Will be, but today in Birmingham at beautiful Regions Park. Barons managed a split today, bringing out the bats in Game 2 to score 10 and win 10-4.

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Yeah, I see that now in the photo. If you do take in McGuire's after a Wahoo game leave your diet in the car. It's well worth it... I've got a dollar hanging on the wall that says "Go Cats!!!~ blueboss"


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July 4th I will be at Busch to see the Redbirds play the Marlins.

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Originally Posted by blueboss

Yeah, I see that now in the photo. If you do take in McGuire's after a Wahoo game leave your diet in the car. It's well worth it... I've got a dollar hanging on the wall that says "Go Cats!!!~ blueboss"


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Have eaten at McGuires. Like their root beer. They have locations in Destin, too.

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Originally Posted by Catonahottinroof

July 4th I will be at Busch to see the Redbirds play the Marlins.

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Great day for a great experience!

More pics from the game...

Biloxi played the biggest shift I've seen for two consecutive Barons each time through the lineup. It was the standard shortstop moves over, but he played a traditional 2nd base position, and the 2nd baseman played a mid-right field. 3rd baseman shaded 2nd as he occupied the shortstop position, almost at double play depth position. Not quite, but dang... https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8acc0ca20c.jpg

The pic above was the less exaggerated. You're looking at the 2nd baseman in right field.

Here's our seats. Must be on the front row. Easy to get great seats like that for minor league. Bought last night online. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...80c42f4b86.jpg

You've already seen the first pic I took showing the pretty sky. That was from the concourse as we enjoyed hot dogs, brats and hamburgers, respectively. Gorgeous day. Except we didn't finish the day, instead leaving a little early. We missed a downpour and then this gorgeous rainbow. Really a double rainbow. This isn't my pic, but I stole it from twitter.

That's Children's Hospital in the background in right field. Had the lifesaver helicopter going several times today, coming and going. Prayers to all who were riding in it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d15a3e2b1e.jpg

Here's another view of the shift. Take a look at where the 3rd baseman is playing (where the shortstop used to be, but edging closer to 2nd base, even.)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...833716ded5.jpg

That's pretty much it. Wasn't there to take pics today, didn't bring a camera, just a few with my phone. Just a cool day. Kids (ages 16 and 25) got a kick out of the manager being thrown out, kicking dirt on the umpire's shoes--they haven't been to enough games where they had seen that before.

Home plate umpire in Game # 1 was awful. He was very consistent, however, with the largest strike zone I've seen in a long time. If the ball didn't hit the plate--and sometime, when it did--it was a strike. Shoulder-high pitches were strikes, too. I've seen one or the other before, but rarely do you see both. I think he knew they were calling two games today, and wanted to get the heck out of Dodge.

Minor league promotions today I can recall:

* T-shirt giveaway. Nice sports performance, dri-fit shirt. Yes, big ad for Wind Creek Casino on the back, but that kinda ads to the cool factor.

* Ball thrown threw a cutout figure from about 10 feet away. Missed twice, moved the guy to 5 feet away, missed again. They still gave him the prize.

* Kid catching balls with a fishing net that were catapulted in the air with a slingshot.

* Simba cam. Highlighted with my 25-year old holding up his 16-year old, 6'2 brother.

* Pregame "first pitches." The first pitch from the Barons' employee of the month--one of the caterers---made the wild pitch on the Bull Durham show look pin-point. The announcer was laughing out loud at how bad it was.

* Some girl walking around handing out $10 off $20 purchase at O'Reilly's. I needed a headlamp for my daughter's Jeep anyway, and my son needed an oil filter and windshield wipers.

* Soft-serve frozen yogurt in a Barons batting helmet. I don't know why I have to get that everytime. It just looks so hokey I have to do it. And I do. and so did my boys.

* The animated horse race on the screen advertising the racetrack. 3 horses race, the contestant picks one to win. A cartoon race ensues. He loses. They still give him the prize (suite for 10 at the racetrack. They hope he bets the same way).

* Which hat is the pea under. In the old shell game type con, you pick which Baron's hat on the video screen the baseball is under. It's on the jumbotron when you watch it. It's honest, and not too hard, though, usually win.

* Uniform race. They take two kids and make them put on an adult sized baseball uniform in route to racing along the basepath. They look like clowns by the time they finish.

* Did not see the normal "race around a bat til you get dizzy, then run" race, but that's usually a staple. I may have missed it.

Just hokey stuff like that. Part of the fun. One day I'd love to have season tickets and go to most of the games. Just a lot of fun (to me).

As far as the baseball is concerned...I didn't think it was that great today. But fun to me just to sit there with my kids and talk about the game, life, joke about the contests, and occasionally see something on the field that catches our eye. "See how the pitcher's knee flexes toward the plate? That's a balk if he throws to first, but bet he does." Picks the guy off the next pitch. Every once in awhile, they think their old man knows something.

Lance Lynn on the hill on this air you can wear kind of July 4th
Attachment 6654

Every vacation I go on I try to see a minor league game.
San Antonio missions managed to get autos from John Gray-Colorado and Austin Hedges-SanDiego.
Took a trip to San Diego managed to get a Ball signed by 1976 CY Young winner Randy Jones.
While on the same trip took in Kershaw bobble head night at Rancho Cucamongo, stood in line three hours but have my kershaw bobble and had the privilege to watch a 19 year old
Cody Bellinger hit a ball 425 feet to center before Cody was a star and I managed to get his auto on a mini bat which was very cool.
Took in a Tennessee smokies game last summer to garner a Kris Bryant Bobble!

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Originally Posted by Darrell KSR

Will be, but today in Birmingham at beautiful Regions Park. Barons managed a split today, bringing out the bats in Game 2 to score 10 and win 10-4.

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If you go to the park again I heartily recommend a stop at Good People across the street Ales from the Heart of Dixie. A Snakehandler before the game is great. Drink only one or two. It's 10.2. If you go on Tuesday you can get Eugene's Hot Chicken!

We parked next to Good People (yeah, we were that early!). Son will often hit that before a game, but we didn't go.

Have had Snakehandler in a can before. Stout stuff!

Interesting article ran across my desk this morning from Business Alabama; thought it was timely:

LINK: Minor League Baseball's Business Plan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darrell KSR

You've already seen the first pic I took showing the pretty sky. That was from the concourse as we enjoyed hot dogs, brats and hamburgers, respectively. Gorgeous day. Except we didn't finish the day, instead leaving a little early. We missed a downpour and then this gorgeous rainbow. Really a double rainbow. This isn't my pic, but I stole it from twitter.

That's Children's Hospital in the background in right field. Had the lifesaver helicopter going several times today, coming and going. Prayers to all who were riding in it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d15a3e2b1e.jpg

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The greatest feature of Regions Field is its proximity to Children's Hospital. Although you cannot tell from the photo, at the far right end of the hospital are lounges with large windows. On Friday Night the nurses and aides wheel the patients who are able down to the lounges to view the fireworks displays. The kids love it!

https://www.facebook.com/Springfield...5271344585042/