Conference hbahba::cam_sports

    When DOES the Pawsox schedule come out?
    

    There's a new version of the Northern League starting in the area this
    summer.  The teams will consist of St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, Fargo,
    St. Cloud and Sioux Falls, I believe.  Mike Veeck is helping put this
    together.  The St. Paul team is allowed because it will have no major
    league affiliate.  Players will be free agents, rookie ball extras and
    players who teams feel need more experience after their seasons end.
    The schedule starts in June and runs about 60 games.  There'll be a
    draft in May.
    
    It'll be fun to go over to some games at a reduced rate and sit in the
    SUN (what's that?)  Veeck has a lot of promotions planned and it sounds
    fun.  
    
    
    Spud

    Anyone got a PawSox schedule that can list the dates for me?  When's
    opening day?
    
    -Walt
    

>    Anyone got a PawSox schedule that can list the dates for me?  When's
>    opening day?
    
Sounds like Get Together material there Walt....

8^)    

    
>>    Anyone got a PawSox schedule that can list the dates for me?  When's
>>    opening day?
    
> Sounds like Get Together material there Walt....
    
    Don't forget New Britain, too, 'Saw.  If we can do it on somewhat of a
    short notice it'd be nice to see Frank Rodriguez pitch.  No jailbait
    jokes, though; these sensitive Red Sox' prospects need all the support
    they can get.
    
    Pawtucket should have a couple of decent hitters in Blosser and McNeely
    mixed in with the retread stiffs the Pawsox like to bring in, while New 
    Britain will get the pitching...
    
    glenn
    

>    Don't forget New Britain, too, 'Saw.  If we can do it on somewhat of a
>    short notice it'd be nice to see Frank Rodriguez pitch.  No jailbait
>    jokes, though; these sensitive Red Sox' prospects need all the support
>    they can get.
    

I'll try to get as schedule ASAP.  It's a nice little ball park and on
a summer night you really get the feel of BASEBALL.  You can hear the slap
of a fastball on the leather, you can see the players up close.  If the
wind is right you can smell the Ben Gay comin' out of the dugout....

Sounds like a plan!


'Saw

    There might be a PawSox schedule in ALPHAX::RED_SOX.

    Nice little brawl down Pawtucket way lasted night, huh?
    

    With a couple of Isaih shots thrown by Jim Byrd, no less.
    
    					Steve

    Interesting article in yesterday's Worcester T&G.  Although everyone of
    consequence is being very quiet about it and the official word is that
    the team being wooed by the city of Worcester is confidential, rumor
    has it Wormtown is trying to lure the PawSox into a new stadium to be
    built in the Shrewsbury Street area.
    
    A deal between the city and the New Britain Red Sox fell through. 
    Worcester is close enough to Pawtucket that the PawSox would have to
    approve a team going into Worcester.  Because of the quality of the
    soil that McCoy field is situated on, the planned addition of 1,000
    more seats is the maximum that can be done there.  That would put the
    capacity of McCoy around 7,000.  Most AAA stadia hold around 10K.

>    A deal between the city and the New Britain Red Sox fell through. 


It's funny that you mention that, because, years ago (10-11 or so) when the
BritSox moved to New Britain from Bristol, attendance/interest was so
good that there was a big rumor that the Red Sox wanted to move the AAA
from Pawtucket, to New Britain, because of the interest etc....

'Saw

	Wormtown????

    billllllllllllllll, I don't understand the question.

    Don't the PawSox have some kind of lease arrangement with Pawtucket,
    especially after expanding the stadium?  You'd think they'd have
    gotten some kind of commitment before making the improvements.  Or 
    is this Worcester proposal a 10-year plan, perhaps?
    
    'Saw, the Red Sox have very little say (perhaps only an advisory
    role, at the very most) in where these farm clubs play.  They're 
    all independently owned.  The PawSox could have moved into the 
    Hartford area as a AAA team because under the National Agreement 
    they have some kind of priority over teams from the lower levels.
    A team like the BritSox would then be SOL, basically, and at least
    eventually would have to find someplace else to play...
    
    glenn
    

�    Don't the PawSox have some kind of lease arrangement with Pawtucket,
�    especially after expanding the stadium?  You'd think they'd have
�    gotten some kind of commitment before making the improvements.  Or 
�    is this Worcester proposal a 10-year plan, perhaps?
    
    The PawSox do have some kind of lease with McCoy.  This is one of the
    holdups.  A buyout of the lease is possible, apparently, and a new
    facility with at least 3K more seats may make it attractive to do so.
    
    This may very well be a 10-year plan.  The PawSox can nix another team
    moving into Worcester much the same way a team in the Ft. Myers area
    did when the Sox wanted to move their Florida league team into the
    spring training complex.  It's been a long time since Worcester had a
    professional baseball team so they might be willing to wait a few more
    years.

    Say 1976-1999;

�              -< Didn't Worcester have a Major League team once >-
�
�    Say 1976-1999;
    
    All of 'Saw's Woodstock talk giving you bad flashbacks there, bill?
    
    Yeah, there used to be professional baseball in Worcester (that's why I
    said it's been a long time).  Casey Stengal was involved somehow so it
    might have been more recent than 1899.  I think there is even a plaque
    somewhere in the city that marks the spot of homeplate of the old
    ballpark.  There were plans to re-enact one of the old time games a
    year or so ago.

>    All of 'Saw's Woodstock talk giving you bad flashbacks there, bill?

Must've been into that brown acid....

    
>    Yeah, there used to be professional baseball in Worcester (that's why I
>    said it's been a long time).  Casey Stengal was involved somehow so it
>    might have been more recent than 1899.  I think there is even a plaque
>    somewhere in the city that marks the spot of homeplate of the old
>    ballpark.  There were plans to re-enact one of the old time games a
>    year or so ago.

If you browse through the notes in here there's a note about that.

I can't remember whether I entered it or Mac did, or someone else, but
it had something to do with Worcester, and perhaps even Springfield,
and if I remember correctly, baseball expansion......

'Saw

Well I'm sure that Bill the Elder was there for the first opening day :-)

The Crazy Met

	My question was regarding your reference, Mac, to 'Wormtown'.
	Is that one of those you-gotta-live-there-to-understand expressions?


	billl

    Wormtown is one of Worcester's nicknames.  I'm not exactly sure why.

	Why, thank you!  Now that didn't hurt a bit now did it?


	billl

Here's a request:

My buddy is in charge of his town's "farm league" for kids t-ball.  Lasted year 
the teams were named after Sesame Street characters, but ol' Charlie is a 
mainly-main, and doens't want to tell people that his son plays for the 
Big Birds again this year.  He's looking for an interesting/fun list of minor
league ball club names that he could use.

So far I've come up with the Nashville Sounds, the Maine Guides and the 
Toledo Mud Hens for him.  Anyone have some other good suggestions?

=Bob=

There's also a minor league team called the MudCats.

Of course there's the Durham Bulls....


In Total Baseball I found three minor league teams listed
in an essay on the minors:

		The Newark Bears
		The Los Angeles Angels
		the Ft. Worth Panthers....


hth,
'saw

    
    Quad-City (Maynard, Marlboro, Hudson, Shrewsbury?) River Bandits 
    might be a generic one that could work.  Not sure how humorous
    the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are anymore.  I'm personally partial 
    to the Albany (Ga.) Polecats, with their black hats and grinning 
    skunk logo.  If you're looking for tradition, Memphis Chicks
    (Chickashaws) is one of the all-time classics...
    
    glenn
    

Wish I still had that catalog with all the minor league
hats in it....


'Saw

    
    
    		Yabbut how about
    
    
    	"The Loinal Fruits"
    
    
    ;^)
    
    I remain,
    thinking this is gonna be a very active note when Gin and JaKe arrive!
    Kev
    

    Columbus Clippers
    Tidewater Tides
    Kane County Cougars
    Portland Beavers
    St. Paul Saints
    Visailia Oaks
    Colorado Springs Sky Sox
    Denver Zephers (or are they gone now?)
    Aberdeen Pheasants (long disbanded Northern League)
    
    
    Spud

Maine Guides still around?

Hartford used to have the Chiefs years ago.   They were a 
farm team for the Boston Braves.....


And if I remember, in the Iowa Baseball Confederacy
they had some cool team names, but I don't have my
copy here, I think it's upstair packed away....


'Saw

I am currently looking for names of minor league 
baseball teams.  I need 10 team names for our towns
baseball teams.  The names I have so far are:

	Toledo Mud Hens
	Nashville Sounds
	Maine Guides
	Durham Bulls

Anybody have any unique ones?

read back a few replies...

=Bob=

    also,
    
    The Las Vegas Stars
    Wilmington Blue Rocks
    Nashville EXpress
    Charleston Wheelers
    
    If you want an entire1994 minor league schedule, with each team listed
    by state, there is a book called "Minor Trips" which has all of that.
    If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll try to remember to post
    the address.
    
    Dennis Faust
    

    
    	A couple of PCL names I remember are the Tuscon Toros and the
    	Portland Beavers.  I think I got 'em right.  There's the 
    	Edmonton Trappers too I believe.
    
    Claybone

    See .31...
    
    Assuming you don't ones like the Richmond Braves, Pawtucket Red Sox,
    etc.
    
    Ottawa Lynx
    Syracuse Chiefs
    Rochester Red Wings
    Norfolk Tides are others that come to mind...
    

    The Ashville Tourists, featuring the slogan:  
    
    	"Baseball in the Smokies - The Greatest Show On Dirt"
    
    NAZZ
    

Seattle Rainiers (defunct)
Bellingham  Baby M's

xxxxx Polecats 
Calgary Cannons

I'll have to pull out my Ebbets Field Flannels catalog and see if I can  dig up
some more...

John

Seattle Rainiers (defunct)
Bellingham  Baby M's

xxxxx Polecats 
Calgary Cannons

I'll have to pull out my Ebbets Field Flannels catalog and see if I can  dig up
some more...

John

    
    
    re: the last 2
    
    
    	Yabbut anybody else get a sense of deja vu?
    
    ;^)
    
    I remain
    Kev
    I remain 
    Kev
    

    How about:
    
    Portland Beavers
    Nashville Sounds
    Maine Guides
    Durham Bulls
    
    HTH,
    
    
    Spud

    Charleston Charlies
    
    Bristol Red Sux
    

	Hooterville Hornets
	Arkansas Travelers
	Dumas Demons

    
    
    	West Virginia Relatives
    

		Los Angeles Cherry Eaters
		San Fransisco Gay Morphs
		Altoona Semi-Literates
		Armonk Dyslexics

    
    
    		Phoenix Snarfing Clowns
    
    
    ;^)
    

    Pawtucket/New Britain/Utica/Ft.Myers Red Sox (Utica might be Blue Sox).
    
    One of the Mets' minor league clubs is called the Tides.

�    Pawtucket/New Britain/Utica/Ft.Myers Red Sox (Utica might be Blue Sox)

Uhh, gee that was helpful...

    Umm, Bob, he asked for the names of minor league teams and I gave him
    some.

Umm Mac, it's funny how virtually everyone else who replied realized that he
wanted teams whose nicknames differ from their parent club's except you.

All these years I thought you were so bright...

Actually, how smart could I be, sitting here at work during a massive snow 
storm?  There are abotu 8 people left in the building, but I'm still here 
working and noting away.

    I'm sorry to hear you're a member of the humor impaired, Bob.

    A couple of others
    
    Albuquerque Dukes
    Oklahoma City 89ers
    

    
    
    	Yabbut since there is no Pawtuckett Red Sox note and I really like
    to stick to the topic ;^)  I figured this is the closest.
    
    	With this guy Michael Jordan imitating a professional bazeball
    player, last I heard was he had been sent "to the minor leagues".
    What's that mean?
    
    	Is there any chance that, if he continues to imitate a professional
    bazeball player, he'll be visiting Pawtuckett or is it too early to
    figure out where in the White Sox organization he'll land up?
    
    I remain,
    guessing that its worth $5-$6 bucks for a good laugh!
    Kev
    

    Yo Kev - 
    
    fat chance in H-E-double-toothpicks that Jordan will make an appearance
    at McCoy Stadium (AAA/Pawtucket), or Double-A Beehive Field (New Britain)
    this year.  The White Sox AAA & AA farm teams do not play in the same
    leagues as the Red Sox farm teams.   

    Hey Kev, the Minor League Baseball topic is #8.

    
    
    	Yabbut RATS!!!!
    
    I was really, really looking forward to seeing "his Airness" arrive
    by limo while the rest of his team arrived by Greyhound  :*(
    
    Mtm, git outa here and play with yer radiators, OK?  ;^)
    
    I remain,
    sayin "I knew that question would smoke out Mr. Pawtuckett, JoeK!"
    Kev
    

  The talk right now is that Jordan will be playing at the AA level in
Birmingham. 

  George

    Anything below Triple A translates to "bus rides".  It will be
    interesting to see how the White Sox brass handle this issue, from the
    standpoint of "security", for Jordan and the team.
    
    Security at minor league ballparks could also be a problem.  If Jordan
    were to play in New Britain's Beehive Field, there would be no way he
    could get from the locker room to the bus after the game.  Beehive's
    facilities are so poor that the visitors usually do not dress or shower
    at the field.  After the game, they'll duck into the lock room to pick
    up the rest of their gear, then head to the bus in  uniform to
    change/shower back at the motel.  And, the players have to mingle with the
    exiting fans to get to their bus.

Yeah, but I like taking in a game at Beehive.  You're close to the action,
they sell Sam Adams beer, and in a pinch I can get free tickets....8^)

    I also like taking in a game at the 'hive.  In fact, I like it better
    than McCoy.  Too bad it's so far away (65 miles).  But I do usually get
    there about once a month.
    
    Hope to be there Opening Night...
    
    /joek

>    I also like taking in a game at the 'hive.  In fact, I like it better
>    than McCoy.  Too bad it's so far away (65 miles).  But I do usually get
>    there about once a month.
    
It's only about 15 minutes from where I work, and a few of us are planning
on taking in some games over there this summer.

Beehive *smells* like a ball park.  You can almost smell the leather on 
the humid July nights.....


'Saw

> Beehive *smells* like a ball park.  You can almost smell the leather on 
> the humid July nights.....
    
    And you can hear the 1st base coach holler "Get back" to his runner
    when the pitcher throws one over to 1st; and you sit close enough to
    see just how faded handed-down-1-too-many-times bp shirts are; and
    ditto for the stirrup sox that have a few tears in them.
    
    Tim Vanegmond told me last year that life in Double A is a lot like
    what you see in Bull Durham.  ...gotta agree with him there.

I hear you, and I agree.


One night years ago, Corey Snyder was in with the Indians, and he was 
having a wicked bad night -- bobbling grounders, dropping pop flies.
He was playing third and I was sitting right on the line almost even
with the bag.

The crowd has been merciless, chanting "Corrrreeeyyy" every time he touched
the ball.

At one point, after he dropped an easy pop about four feet in front
of me, the crowd started, and I just kind of yelled to him "Hey, Corey,
it gets better in the bigs".

He turned and gave me one of those "Hey, what can I do" smiles....


Next time you're headed down, Joe, send me some mail.  Maybe me and the
boys can meet you over there for the game.....


'Saw

    
    
    	Yabbut JoeK,
    
    Take some advice - DO NOT TELL SAW!
    
    If you do, be prepared to become a gnarly, tobacco-chewing,
    rugby playin marine-type o' mountain main!
    
    btw - that's not the kind o' citizen we want in Grafton!
    
    ;^)
    
    I remain,
    a savior
    Kev
     

    I can relate to the Corey Snyder story.
    
    Several years ago, Bob Schafer, who is a Red Sox scout now, managed the
    Tidewater Tides (Mets/AAA) team.  A bunch of us guys went to a Paw
    Sox/Tides double header at McCoy.  By the 2nd game, Schafer's feet must
    have been getting sore, going out to coach 3rd base every inning.
    
    Instead of baseball spikes, he was wearing blue low cut sneakers.  I
    got his attention by 1st hollering "Hey Bob" during a lull in between
    innings. He actually turned around to see if he could pick out someone
    in the crowd that might know him.  Then I started ranking on him & his
    "hush puppies".  One of the guys next to me almost fell off the seat.
    ...but I guess you had to be there.
    
    will keep you posted of my journey's to the 'hive this year.
    
    /joek

>    Take some advice - DO NOT TELL SAW!

Chuck You, Farley. 

    
>    If you do, be prepared to become a gnarly, tobacco-chewing,
>    rugby playin marine-type o' mountain main!

And what makes me so different than most of the guys on the field?
Oh, I know, I don't grab my crotch...8^)




re Joe,


Cool.  I used to enjoy talking to the players after the game.  I used
to talk with Steve Lyons quite a bit, and talked with Bill Denehey, who
was their pitching coach,for quite a while one night. 

Can't wait for opening day......


'Saw     

    Two years ago the Buffalo Bison were at Pawtucket and Cecil Espy
    (ex-Ranger) was playing.  My roommate and I started yelling out names
    of Ranger OF's currently on the club.  Gonzalez, Sierra at the time,
    Redus... Espy whiffed... and looked back at the end of the at bat...
    

I was in Beehive one night when Julio Gonzalez came down to the club.

He'd had a little problem, some statutory rape charge or something, and
was sent down till it blew over (I forget all the details).

One drunk a_______ in the stands started ruding on Julio when he was
playing 3rd base, yelling things about little girls and stuff.
These two big dudes, who probably were from the Stanley Works, calmly
walked up and beat the sh*t out of the guy before security could get
up there.   Everyone in the crowd was cheering those two dudes.

The best part was that Julio had a GREAT game that night......


'Saw

    re 8.73 - talking to players.
    
    New Britain Manager Jim Pankovits always provides a good interview. 
    His wife works as a producer of the nightly news on a tv station back
    in Richmond VA. She tells him that he has to learn to talk in "bytes"
    (or is it "bites"?), because he always get a little too wordy with his
    replies to questions.
    
    Pitching coach Dennis Burtt has also been very friendly & informative too.

    Veteran Red Sox minor league pitchers Peter Hoy & Jeff Plympton were
    released by the Red Sox yesterday.  Plympton, who had a few cups of
    coffee with Boston a few years ago, was beset by shoulder troubles.  He
    had surgery twice over the past 2 winters.  At the PawSox media
    luncheon last month, he said he was going to spring training looking
    for the opportunity to prove that his shoulder was healthy & sound.  If
    so, then he should be able to prove that he still can get batters out.
    
    Peter Hoy, who also pitched in Boston a few years ago, had dropped all
    the way down to Double-A last year.  Although healthy, his pitching did
    not warrant a promotion higher than New Britain.  He had indicated at
    the tail end of last year that he would like to pitch in a winter
    league.  To the best of my knowledge, he did not hook on with a club
    over the winter.

    I see Michael Jordan was demoted all the way to AA ball.  So much for
    all those AAA fans who scooped up tickets hoping to see him.
    
    I hear he has also offered to buy the AA team a new bus out of his own
    pocket.

    	I saw MJ on TV the other day. "I don't mind riding on a bus...,
    	if it's a luxury bus."
    
    	I was rolling.
    
    	Scott

    there's a tank mcnamara cartoon the other day with ..
    
    the players' broken down bus
    
    Mike in his limo escorted by two state police on cycles
    
    the press' broken down bus

  ... Today Tank had him on the bench tossing a ball back and forth from his
right hand to his left with the announcers covering the tosses and predicting
he'd be in the majors soon. 

  I'm trying to get a fix on how long he'll last in baseball, just when is the
next America Cup defense anyway? I can see him now at the helm of Jayhawk VI
with an ascot and a pair of sunglasses yelling "Ready about" before swinging
her over to the other tack.

  George 

and yesterdays cartoon had the manager saying he decides who plays while
the public announcer is announcing that Jordan is in the starting lineup
and it doesn't matter what the manager wants.

The Crazy Met

	re .81:

	You know it's been a tough day when George makes me chuckle. 


	billl

 geez so nice of Mike to buy the team a new bus. too bad he's only leasing
 it to them. Shrewd bussinessman I guess.

 the bus had 35 reclining chairs, 6 tvs, a lounge area with a wet bar in the
 rear. cost $350K......

 mike

|
| the bus had 35 reclining chairs, 6 tvs, a lounge area with a wet bar in the
| rear. cost $350K......
|

What, no blackjack table?

I'm going down to New Haven to see the Ravens play tonight.

They're the Colorado Rockies farm club, and thanks to Glenn, I found out
they're AA.

The ticket prices range from $3-$12.50, and considering that New Britain
ranges $3-$5, I'm wondering what you'll get for $12.50 down in New Haven.
Perhaps they issue bullet proof vests to those ticket holders.  8^)

Should be an interesting, if ungodly hot, night.....


'Saw

	"We got a great pitcher, ol' Whatshisname.
	Hey we can't even spell it."



	billl

>	"We got a great pitcher, ol' Whatshisname.
>	Hey we can't even spell it."


Yeah, but I DON'T like my beer flat.  I'll drink it warm (well, cellar
temp actually) but I won't drink it flat...


I hope they sell Sam Adams down there!

Okay, here's a game report on the Ravens last night.

First off, it was a warm night for baseball, but we had the top down on the
car on the way down to New Haven, so that made it pleasant.  

The Stadium, officially called Yale Field, is really neat.  The Grandstand
is old time, with porticos around it (reminds me of an old time field).

Seats range from $3 (bleachers on the outfield lines) up through 
$5 (reserved seats) and $7 (box seats) and $12.50 ("luxury boxes").

The Luxury Box seats are nothing more than Box seats right behind the
plate.


We got reserved seats and the only problem is that the backs of the 
benches were a little uncomfortable.


They sell Elm City Ale instead of Sam Adams, but the rest of the deal
is pretty much like any other Double A park.


The Ravens (Rockies farm club) played the Bowie Baysox (Orioles farm club)
and lost 3-0.   The score doesn't indicate the caliber of the game however,
and it was a 1-0 game until the top of the 9th.    The pitcher for
Bowie (didn't catch his name -- I'll have to check the box score)
was GREAT.  He held New Haven to one hit until the bottom of the 8th.

Bowie on the other hand, picked up 8 hits over the course of the night,
the New Haven starter gave up 7.  The game was close.  In the top of the
2nd, with one out, Bowie put two singles back to back, got men on 
1st and 3rd, and the next batter hit a grounder to 3rd.  They got the
one out at second base but the throw to first was a tad high and Bowie
got their run.

In the top of the 9th, there were two outs when a Bowie batter hit
a double.  Unfortunately, the ump missed the fact that the batters left
foot was a good 6" out of the front of the batter's box.   You don't
often get that call.  Bowie got him across on a triple from the next
batter --- the Raven's closer was Jeff-Russell-like.  A passed ball
tallied the 3rd run.


Then Bowie brought in THEIR closer.  This guy threw **HEAT**.  His
off-speed stuff was as fast I think as the first guy's fast ball, and
he got them out in order.

Alex Ochoa, the Bowie RF, who I was told to keep an eye on, went 1-3
and struck out once looking.  But again, it was definitely a pitcher's
duel.


I'd go down there again in an instant.  It was a typcial American
summer night at a minor league park -- almost a Norman Rockwell slice
of American life.

It's very easy to get to also......


'Saw


PS  The Red Sox should try to pick up this guy who closed for Bowie.
    Big (say 6'3", maybe 220) and FAST.....

Oh yeah, I forgot.

Former Baltimore Oriole, Al Bumbry is the first base coach for Bowie....

    
> The pitcher for
> Bowie (didn't catch his name -- I'll have to check the box score)
> was GREAT.  He held New Haven to one hit until the bottom of the 8th.
    
    Jimmy Haynes (a righty, I'm pretty sure)?  He's the O's pitching 
    stud...
    
    Gawd, I wish AA would come back to my backyard.  Minor-league baseball
    is one of those things that's great (among other reasons) precisely 
    because it's _there_, if you want it, on the spur of the moment, no
    hassles, for maximum relaxation...
    
    glenn
    
    

Jus' got my tickets for my firsted ever Pawtuckett Red Sox game.  August 2 vs.
Syracuse.  It's a weekday day game, and despite the high demand for PawSox 
tickets thised year, I got seats right behind home plate, eight rows from the 
field.  

I remain 
pysched to have a reason to play hookie...
=Bob=

>    
>    Jimmy Haynes (a righty, I'm pretty sure)?  He's the O's pitching 
>    stud...
>    

I checked the box scores, and I missed a pitching change....

The starter for Bowie was Forney (WP), 6 innings, 1 hit, 1BB, 7K
He was relieved by Borowski, 2 innings, 1 hit, 1K
And the closer was Benitez, 1 inning, no hits, 2K


>    Gawd, I wish AA would come back to my backyard.  Minor-league baseball
>    is one of those things that's great (among other reasons) precisely 
>    because it's _there_, if you want it, on the spur of the moment, no
>    hassles, for maximum relaxation...
    
It's fun.  New Britain is a closer to me obviously, and I hope they
stay, but we're supposed to get the Yankees over in Norwich too.   With
three AA teams I should be able to find a game any night of the week....

As Kinsella said in _Shoeless_Joe_, "the thrill of the grass"


'Saw    
    

>Jus' got my tickets for my firsted ever Pawtuckett Red Sox game.  August 2 vs.
>Syracuse.  It's a weekday day game, and despite the high demand for PawSox 
>tickets thised year, I got seats right behind home plate, eight rows from the 
>field.  
>
>I remain 
>pysched to have a reason to play hookie...
>=Bob=


Should be fun.  I've yet to make it over there....


Last night they had a group listed on the scoreboard at Yale Field.
It said, simply

		Red Sox AAA Baseball


They must be on their All-Star break.....

    
    
    	Yabbut =bob=, lemme give you a little "background" on McKoy Stadium
    so's ya don't miss something.
    
    Although you're 8 rows away, the seats start ~12 feet from the ground. 
    Kids who want autographs bring 1 gallon milk containers with a big hole
    in the side and string.  They stand by the railing and lower the jugs
    directly in front of the dugouts and "fish" for players to sign their
    program.  So, if'n getting autographs is your bag, bring the jugs.
    
    You'll like this - smoking is not allowed in the seats.
    
    After the game folks hang out at the stadium entrance for the players
    to leave and the mob scene when they do is for more autographs.
    
    hth,
    
    I remain,
    having been there a few times.....
    Kev
    

Haven't been into autographs since I was a kid, so I don't need to bring any 
jugs.

Hmm, 12' off the ground.  That may mean a better vantage point, although I 
like being close to the action.

=Bob=

    
    
    	Yabbut oh yeah,  fyi.
    
    	The AAA All-Star game is 7-13 in Nashville.
    
    hth
    
    I remain,
    glad ta hep!
    Kev
    

    
    
    =bob='s game starts at noon
    
    ;^)
    
    

re: .101

what amazing insights.

The Crazy Met

    	Hey =Bob=, the 16 ounce beers are only three dollars at McCoy!
    Also there's a good restaurant called Archie's about a mile from
    the stadium near the McDonald's.  It's a shame the Lily Club is
    closed.  The owner used to fire up the grill when the mood struck
    him and you could get a steak dinner for about $5.00.  The beers
    were cheap and the hotdogs free at the bar.  You can still see the
    sign for the place in the stadium.
    
    				  /Don

    Lily's closed?  Sigh...
    

    	Been for over two years now Walt(e).  They trumped up an illegal
    gambling charge on the owner.  The real reason was because McCoy
    lost beer sales to the place.
    
    				  /Don

    I saw people coming in and out of there last year...
    

>
>    I saw people coming in and out of there last year...
>    


Was probably them gamblers!

    Is ESPN showing another minor league game on Sunday ??
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    Yup... Birmingham again...
    

    hahahahaha isn't Jprdan out until at least Monday?
    
    Be nice to see some AAA games if they are going to show any at all.
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    ESPN announced today that they will NOT show the AAA game on Sunday,
    opting to rerun the home run hitting contest from this year's All-Star
    game.
    
    Dennis Faust
    

    isn't Birmingham AA ??
    
    The Crazy Met
    

>>    isn't Birmingham AA ??

	Yeah, and they 'like their beer flat as can be and the dogs with
	mustard and relish'!


	billl

    don't tell me you're one of those who put onions or ketchup on a
    hotdog.
    
    Onions are all right raw in a salad or raw on a hamburg but don't
    belong on a hotdog and never ever should see the top of a hot grill
    unless at the hands of an experienced chinese chef.
    
    Horseradish is best but mustard and relish should be the only
    condiments offered and both should be available or don't even sell the
    hotdogs.
    
    Actually piccalilli is excellent and actually preferable to the green
    relish but I don't want to get too detailed here.

    jalapenos are better than onions on hot dogs.

|    Actually piccalilli is excellent and actually preferable to the green
|    relish but I don't want to get too detailed here.

I don't eat hotdogs anymore, but when I did my favorite thing was Vidallia 
onion relish.  Ummmm, ummm. 

    HOT DOGS!!!!
    
    Nuthing but lips and a__holes!!!!!
    
    JaKe
    

	Didn't mean to turn thid into a "Gallopin' Gormet" note.  Not that
	I would expect any of yunz to realize, but that line I put in about 
	"hot dogs with mustard and relish" and flat beer is a line from a
	recent song by Alabama.



	billl

    "Cheap Seats"?????
    
    JaKe
    
    

 >>   "Cheap Seats"?????

	Well, anyone but a 'burgher.


	billl

Hot dogs are BEST when literally smothered with stuff -- ketchup, mustard,
relish, sauerkraut, onions, chili, cheese....  

At a ballgame, I usually just go with mustard and relish.


Usually, I prefer hamburgers though.  If I do want something in the 
hot dog family, I like brats or knockworst....


'Saw

Just heard for the record that the New Britain Red Sox ARE staying in 
New Britain and are NOT moving the Springfield.

Joe Buzas gave the reason that if he left New Britain they've never have
a team, but that Springfield would have lots of chances to get a team.


I have to admit that I thought they were gone to Springfield.....


Cool.


Saw

btw, I guess this means that New Britain (as in The City Of) will indeed
have to build them a new stadium.   

That's a good thing, because the current stadium is not in good repair, and the 
sound system REALLY sucks.  It's a Rice Krispies Sound System (it starts
with a Snap, Crackle and Pop).

It'd be nice if they could put a winning team in there too....


'Saw

    The fall league just ended.  Jordan ended up batting about .260 with a
    couple doubles and a triple.  Apparently he has *no* power.  He made a
    few errors early in the season, but steadied as time went on.  He was
    batting about .350 through 20 games or so, had a huge slump and dropped
    to .220, and then improved at the end. 
    
    One thing it proved, is that he is a big drawing card, as the Fall
    League drew pretty good crowds.  If the owners go with replacement
    players, I'm sure they'll take this into consideration.
    
    brews 

    It also means that Sir Charles can go back to playing basketball again
    instead of golf.

    Anyone got the phone number for the Portland Sea Dogs?
    
    Steve

	Try 207-555-1212.   ;^)



	billl

    	(207) 874-9300.  I went up there last July and had a great time.
    The ball park is about a mile from Mark's Showplace (an exotic dance
    emporium).  8^o
    
    				   /Don

    	(207) 874-9300.  I went up there last July and had a great time.
    The ball park is about a mile from Mark's Showplace (an exotic dance
    emporium).  8^o                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    				   
   somebody must have told you about this place right? 

  ;^)

    Thanks for both pieces of info - guess that means more than one trip...
    
    one with my son, and one without!
    
    :-)
    
    Steve

    	Mark's Showplace is right off of exit 8.  I can't remember how
    to get to the ballpark though...
    
    				   /Don

Well, I have the schedules for April and May for the three minor league
teams in CT (all AA ball).

If you want to see some real baseball, you can see the New Haven Ravens.
The play in Yale Stadium, where former President George Bush played his
college ball.  They are a Colorado Rockies affiliate.

The park gives you the field of a real minor league game - believe me,
it's old time, has character and is a nice place to see the game.

If you want to see some real baseball, you can see the new Norwich Navigators.
They play over in Norwich, obviously, and they are a New York Yankees 
affiliate.

If you want to see some real baseball, you can see the newest kids on the
block, the Hardware City Rock Cats.  They are the new team in New Britain,
now that Dan Douquette threw a tantrum and moved the Red Sox.
Joe Buzas (Man of Integrity), kept his franchise in New Britain, becoming
a Minnesota Twins affiliate.

I believe this year they will play in Beehive Field, but nexted year they
will have a New Stadium....


GA tickets are generally under $5, I believe that Beehive Field will still
serve Samuel Adams beer, and I live about ten minutes away.   If I can 
remember to bring the schedules in, I'll post them.....


'Saw

Just a quick to note to tell all you baseball fans within a 2-3 hour drive
of Norwich, CT to get your butts there and see a Navigator's game.  You've
heard about the attractions of Camden Yards, Coors Field and all the other
new ballparks at the ML level, well you can enjoy a beautiful (minor league)
park right in Norwich for a pittance.

I was there this past Saturday and it is gorgeous.  It was just finished
this Spring (Norwich had to play its 1st 11 games on the road while
construction was being completed).  It seats 3,500, so there's not a bad
seat in the place.  Seating is very spaceous, there are plenty of concession
stands (never more than a few minutes wait, and a large selection to choose
from), and even grassy areas in the corners of the park where kids can play
(a game room too, although I can't see kids playing video games at a
ballpark...).  There's also a gazebo in the RF corner, although it wasn't
used when we were there...maybe they periodically have some entertainment.

The Navigators do a lot of *giveaways* during the game, and have a mascot
dressed as a 'gator who entertains between innings.

If you love baseball, you've gotta go...and I'll guarantee you'll want
to go back.  Our reaction was, "WOW !".  Build it, and they will come,
if you know what I mean.

It's less than 2 hours from Marlboro.  They're home every weekend in
August.  Saturday games are at 7pm; 2pm on Sundays.

I haven't been over to Norwich yet, but I'll second that.  EVERYONE that I know
that's gone has had a good time.

The Ravens down in New Haven (farther for the Mass people) also do a great job.
They play in Yale Field (where Pres. Bush used to play 8^)) and also do lots of
giveaways.

Meantime, in New Britain, I'm pretty sure construction has started on their new
stadium....


'Saw

    	Hey Joe, I went to a Navigators game in June and the deal with that
    gazebo is that you can purchase tickets for it, and if you do you're
    automatically in the drawing for the gazebo when it is raffled away at
    the end of the season.  The one thing I didn't like was the mandatory
    $2.00 parking fee, the one thing I really did like was the 20 ounce
    Budweisers for $3.25 (and with the Budweiser plan right across the
    street, you know they will never run out).
    
    				   /Don

YOu pay a buck down in New Haven, but that's because you're really parking on
the grounds of the Yale Bowl.  The Yale Field is across the street.

In New Britain it's still free as far as I know....

>    the one thing I really did like was the 20 ounce Budweisers for $3.25

/Don,

Did you try an 18-oz Navigator Ale ?  It was very good...'wicked' smooth.

>
>Did you try an 18-oz Navigator Ale ?  It was very good...'wicked' smooth.
>                                                          ^^^^^^


Did Pete *make* that description of the Ale?  ;^)

    
    Scottsdale Stadium has Sam's on tap.  Nothing like 105 degrees and
    several nice cold Sam's.  One an inning seems to be a  reasonable pace,
    with the dry heat and all.  Nice park, too, classic style and all. 
    Just wish it didnt always get so blurry after the 6th inning.
    
    brews

>    Scottsdale Stadium has Sam's on tap.  Nothing like 105 degrees and
>    several nice cold Sam's.  One an inning seems to be a  reasonable pace,
>    with the dry heat and all.  Nice park, too, classic style and all. 
>    Just wish it didnt always get so blurry after the 6th inning.
>    


They do that in New Britain also.  Nice Sam always goes down good at a
ballgame.

Brews, you might try complaining to management about the blurry stuff.  Perhaps
they could put up some big fans to blow the "heat shimmering waves" away.

8^)

FWIW, I tried to get to a Portland Sea Dogs game last week while 
I was up in Maine. They're sold out for the rest of the season.

Unbelievable.

daryll

>FWIW, I tried to get to a Portland Sea Dogs game last week while 
>I was up in Maine. They're sold out for the rest of the season.

>Unbelievable.

>daryll

I called over a month ago and all they had left for the season were general
admission.  I think they had been out of reserved seats for a week or two at
that point.

Too bad - a beautiful ballpark, not a bad seat in the house, reasonable prices,
a place where you could bring your kids, and Geary's Pale Ale and Molson Golden
on tap.  The whole thing just brings a tear to my eye...

I think the run on tickets is happening at most AAA and AA ballparks.

Roland

	The Colorado Springs Sky Sox will be on ESPN2 tonight against
	Vancouver.

	Kevin

    
    >The Colorado Springs Sky Sox will be on ESPN2 tonight...
    
    They are also on a 14 or so game win streak, the longest in team
    history.
    
    Marc
    

      <<< Note 8.144 by CSC32::MACGREGOR "Colorado: the TRUE mid-west" >>>

    
>    They are also on a 14 or so game win streak, the longest in team
>    history.
>    
>    Marc
 

   Actually, it's 13. They went for 14 last night but got rained out.
   (But who's counting?)  :-)

   Kevin   

>I think the run on tickets is happening at most AAA and AA ballparks.

I've been to many minor league games and always had a great time.  My
experiences with minor league baseball are part of the reason I would
have attended ReplacementBall, if it had happened.  The game is bigger
than the idiots (both owners and players) who are now trying their best
to ruin MLB.

Three cheers for the fans who have finally spoken !

  This is nuts. It's the same type of guys who are playing in the minors and
majors, there is no fundamental difference in their outlook, and when you
consider the influence of major league owners it's clear that it's the same
type of guys who are running both major and minor league teams. 

  Once again, take a look at Jose Oliva from the Braves. He came up to Atlanta,
started tearing apart the league but made it clear that he was ready and
willing to go on strike. Then he got sent back down to Richmond and lead them
to a AAA title. 

  Now is he an example of a "greedy major league player out to ruin the game"
or a "hungry minor league player ready to play"? Well it depends on if he's
wearing an Atlanta Braves or Richmond Braves uniform.

  But I agree, there are fans who are actually gullible enough to believe that
there is a difference between the attitudes of major and minor league owners
and players. 

  George 

>  Now is he an example of a "greedy major league player out to ruin the game"
>or a "hungry minor league player ready to play"? Well it depends on if he's
>wearing an Atlanta Braves or Richmond Braves uniform.

George, I think this is an oversimplification.  I do think there is a 
difference, but I think it depends more on how long the guy has been in the
bigs, how much money he's made, etc.  It's not a very clearly defined line.

I think about the difference in my lifestyle from when I was in college (very
little money in my pocket) to now (very little money in *my* pocket, but my
family gets some :-)  I make more money, my tastes are more expensive, and
I've grown used to having things a little more my way.  I've gotten used to
a lot of things, and I'd probably be loathe to giving them up.  It didn't
happen the day I got my Digital badge - it has happened slowly over time.

I think big league players have gotten used to the way things are, and they're
also loathe to give them up.  But a case could be made that what they're used
to can't continue (in an economic sense).

Roland

    At least the minor league games are affordable...

>    At least the minor league games are affordable...

And they're always played, according to schedule.

The beauty of minor league ball is that you don't know most of the players,
but you enjoy the game for the game itself.  The players haven't developed
attitudes, and the owners work harder to make sure you have a good time
and come back (thru good prices on tickets and concessions, entertainment,
giveaways, etc.).  Sounds like to you need to get to a minor league park
George and experience it.

    right on garb...
    I went to a Rockies game in their inaugural season and was amazed at
    the LEAGUE policies.  I went early with my nephew on his birthday
    to get autographs.  The Braves and Rockies were playing.  We got
    there early to see what was going on.  I asked the people taking
    tickets if we could go in get some autographs and leave the stadium
    for lunch before the game.  We were going to barbeque out in the
    parking lot.  Apparently the LEAGUE has a policy that once you enter
    the stadium you cannot leave unless you want to buy another ticket.
    The tickets weren't that cheap in the first place and there was no
    way I was going to purchase more.  I know we should have just shut
    up and ate at the ballpark.  The problem to me is that ML baseball
    was plenty popular at the time and making lots of money, so why not
    be just a little flexible?  When the players AND owners went on strike;
    I vowed no more Major League baseball for me without Major League
    changes to the management of the game...
    

  I've been to minor league games. And yes they are fun but I have just as much
fun if not more when I go to major league games. From what I've seen a close
game at either level is fun but a blow out at either level becomes a snooze.

  As for ticket prices, compared to any other major sport or entertainment
containing national talent baseball is very cheap. The most expensive ticket
at Fenway park is about 20 bucks and you can get general admission for about
$8. Try getting into a Celtics game or seeing a Broadway level show or major
popular artist live for that price. More likely you will be paying between
$30 to $60.

  George

    I agree with your assessment of entertainment prices.  But notice that
    I said that when ML baseball went on strike I also went on strike.
    That is my prerogative.  I truly believe that the players are "buy"
    and large over paid.  I also believe the same is true for owners.
    Because of that *I* personally have chosen to strike ML baseball for
    at least one year.  Where else in but in ML baseball can an average
    performer be making over 1 million a year?
    

  Well if other fans feel the same as you do then all the dire predictions
that baseball is on the way down are false since it will rebound next year
when you and the others come back.

  George

>  I've been to minor league games. And yes they are fun but I have just as much
>fun if not more when I go to major league games. From what I've seen a close
>game at either level is fun but a blow out at either level becomes a snooze.
>
>  As for ticket prices, compared to any other major sport or entertainment
>containing national talent baseball is very cheap.

George, I think the points that a lot of folks are trying to make are:

	o  they have as much if not more fun at a *minor* league game

	o  maybe MLB is cheap in relation to other forms of entertainment,
	   but minor league ball is cheaper

So why pay more (sometimes drastically more, considering parking, concessions,
etc.) to have the same or less amount of fun?

It's different for everybody - just trying to make sure you know where a lot of
us are coming from in our disdain for the rising costs of attending an MLB
game.

Roland

>  Well if other fans feel the same as you do then all the dire predictions
>that baseball is on the way down are false since it will rebound next year
>when you and the others come back.

Boy, George, this is a beaut.  Where did he say that he's coming back?  He
said "at least one year".  I used to attend 15-20 games a year - I now know
that I will attend (at most) once a year.  I want to take my daughters to see
Fenway when they're old enough, I may get a freebie once a year, but that's 
*it*.

And I'm precisely the type of guy they should hate to lose.  Still fairly 
young (33), have a good job so I have some disposable income, have kids whom
I could encourage to follow baseball.  And they don't get it.  There may be
*some* backfill for the missing fans, but there's no way they're going to make
up for what they lose (don't bother arguing it - it's admittedly my opinion).

It's not just the money, it's the supreme arrogance of both the owners and the
players.  They have an over-inflated view of their importance in the scheme of
things.  They're right about being "entertainers", but what they don't under-
stand is that if they treat their "audience" badly and piss them off, there
are *plenty* of other forms of entertainment around - not just the $50 concerts
you're so fond of comparing MLB to.

Roland

RE<<< Note 8.155 by IMBETR::DUPREZ "The stars might lie, but the numbers never do..." >>>

>So why pay more (sometimes drastically more, considering parking, concessions,
>etc.) to have the same or less amount of fun?

  Who ever has the best players always ends up drawing crowds that the teams
with lesser players can't match. it's been that way since 1871 when the best
players left the amateur National Association to play in that upstart National
League that had the audacity to pay it's players in real money.

  People beefed as much back then as they do now over the idea of grown men
getting paid to play a kids game and swore they had more fun watching the eager
young men who played for the love of the game but despite all the breast beating
by the few, the fans went to see the best players play the game despite the
fact that they were getting paid. 

  I can say with all honesty that there have been times when I've had more fun
at a local club watching some practically unknown guitar player than I've had
at a few top name concerts I've been to but I can also say the odds are much
greater that in the future I'll shell out $40 for a big name star than I will
to see an unknown band.

  I think the trend you are seeing is short lived and if a contract is signed,
a World Series is played, and the NBA has a lockout fans will quickly forget
that it was baseball that had the strike and they'll be back to see the real
stars play the game.

  George

>  Who ever has the best players always ends up drawing crowds that the teams
>with lesser players can't match.

There are more teams, with significantly lesser labor costs.  They don't *need*
to draw 30,000 folks to survive.

I don't have this dew-eyed dream about players playing purely for love of the
game.  It comes down to this, pure and simple:

	o  I am just as entertained
	o  it costs me less money
	o  I could care less about how many other people there are in the
	   stands as long as the team can survive.  And because of their
	   leaner cost structure, it's easier for them to.

I'm starting to get as repetitive as you, so I'm going to stop right here.

Roland

    Re. a couple back:
    
    Roland - you have a good job?  So where do you moonlight after hours
    when you get outta here?  ;-)
    
    NAZZ

Roland probably works some place where they pay him a fair and equitable
wage, treat him as if he's a valued employee (instead of him just hearing a lot
of hot air from VPs about maximizing employee satisfaction), and where he feels 
as if he's working on something that is important.

You're right, he CAN'T be working for DEC.....

>Roland probably works some place where they pay him a fair and equitable
>wage, treat him as if he's a valued employee (instead of him just hearing a lot
>of hot air from VPs about maximizing employee satisfaction), and where he feels 
>as if he's working on something that is important.
>
>You're right, he CAN'T be working for DEC.....

Working for Digital and thinking you have a good job aren't mutually exclusive.
My management treats me well and seems to appreciate my contributions.  I
can't complain about my pay - there are an awful lot of people in America who
aren't as well off as I am (something I think we should all remember).  There
are things in my organization that I'm not always happy with, but it's that
way everywhere.

And it helps to "auto file" all mail that comes from more than 3 levels above
me on the chain unless it addresses something specific...

Roland

RE<<< Note 8.158 by IMBETR::DUPREZ "The stars might lie, but the numbers never do..." >>>

>	o  I could care less about how many other people there are in the
>	   stands as long as the team can survive.  And because of their
>	   leaner cost structure, it's easier for them to.

  I guess I feel the same about major league baseball. If fewer people come
that makes it easier for me to get a seat.

  Problem is, for some reason that's not happening in Boston. Everyone's still
showing up at the ballpark.

  George

    .154
    George,  I have NEVER stated that Major League baseball would fold.
    I just basically stated *my* feelings on baseball in its current state.
    I don't even want to get in a debate about who is right or wrong 
    over the strike or continuing saga of no contract.  My only recourse
    for me was to strike baseball for at *LEAST* one year.  I like baseball
    and I think the Major Leaguers put on the best show of baseball. 
    However *I do not like* the current side shows of who makes money,
    how much money, we're going broke, etc, etc, etc.  Sport fandom *in my
    opinion* takes up too much time anyway...  Oh well I digress...
    Suffice it to say that * I AM ON STRIKE * from baseball and that is
    a fact not an opinion.
    
    Frank Mendez
    

  I don't think we disagree on anything here.

  Your on strike, I'm not. I could care less who's making money and who is
not.

  See you next year at the ballpark.

  George

>    George,  I have NEVER stated that Major League baseball would fold.
>    I just basically stated *my* feelings on baseball in its current state.

>    I like baseball
>    and I think the Major Leaguers put on the best show of baseball. 
>    However *I do not like* the current side shows of who makes money,
>    how much money, we're going broke, etc, etc, etc.


You got it Frank.  It's the current players and owners who are turning
fans off to MLB.  And these baseball fans (eg: me, you) are not going
to MLB games as much (or at all) this year, and ARE going to minor
league games.  Baseball is baseball.

In five years most of the players involved in the '94 Strike will be
gone, and I'll bet half of the owners will be too.  Hopefully, MLB will
have its act together again and we can enjoy the games being played
by the stars more than the games being played by the prospects.

	Billte,  I'm presently trying to track down a Nashua Hawks schedule.
	When I get one I'll post it.



	billl

    I think someone posted it in here or redsox?   

	Just called their info line and got a recording telling me to call back
	during their office hours of 8-5.  Must be on a different time zone.


	billl

RE                     <<< Note 8.165 by USCTR1::GARBARINO >>>

>In five years most of the players involved in the '94 Strike will be
>gone, and I'll bet half of the owners will be too.  Hopefully, MLB will
>have its act together again and we can enjoy the games being played
>by the stars more than the games being played by the prospects.

  So that implies that you feel there is a fundamental difference in the way
today's minor players would respond to a strike if they were in the big leagues
versus the way major leaguers would respond. You seem to be saying it's not the
fact that the two groups were in different situations, they have a
fundamentally different outlook. 

  So explain Jose Oliva. Why was he willing to go on strike when he thought he
was going to be a major leaguer but willing to play once he got sent down. And
explain about 30 or 40 other guys that were in the same situation.

  Remember the flurry of transactions in the two week period before the strike?
I do, I had to log them all for my Rotisserie league. A whole bunch of young
prospects who supported the strike as major leaguers became "eager minor league
players" when their owners decided to ship them out so they'd get more playing
time.

  So take Oliva for example, will we be worse off if he's still here 5 years
from now since he supported the strike or will we be better off because once
he got sent down he played minor league ball?

  There the same types of guys, it's just that their situation was different.
Had today's minor leaguers been 5-10 years older, they would have been the
ones out on strike. Had this strike happened 5 years ago, most of the guys
who walked would have been "eager minor leaguers" playing ball.

  George

>  So that implies that you feel there is a fundamental difference in the way
>today's minor players would respond to a strike if they were in the big leagues
>versus the way major leaguers would respond. You seem to be saying it's not the
>fact that the two groups were in different situations, they have a
>fundamentally different outlook. 

No George, I'm not saying whatever you're trying so hard to make me say.
I'm saying that the union is currently being run by a few big-bucks
babies and Don Fehr.  It was being reported that the majority wasn't
in line with the few, but the NLRB ruling saved them.  I don't think
most would have crossed the lines, but I do think (based on what
was being reported) that a split between the players was evolving.

I think the small-market owners and these few players have hurt
this game badly, but in 5 years all of this subset (and hopefully
Don Fehr too) will likely be gone, and lessons will have been
learned.  There will still be greed on both sides, and I'm not
dumb enough to think that this sport will never have another
work stoppage.  But most believe Miller would never have allowed
the union to force the cancellation of the World Series, or
come within hours of seeing ReplacementBall.  Both happened
on Don Fehr's watch.  The owners are seeing the $$$ impact
right now, at the gate and thru the dissolution of The Baseball
Network.  The players will see it this offseason when the
contract offers get lower and shorter.

Hopefully baseball's economic system will change so drastically
that we'll have owners catering to their customers and players
thanking God everyday for being blessed with the ability to
make a very good living playing baseball...and never taking
it for granted again.

    Whoa Garb
    
    The players and the owners paying attention to the customers AND
    trying to please them?  Sounds pretty radical to me!!!!
    

  
     >> players thanking God everyday for being blessed with the 
     >> ability to make a very good living playing baseball...and 
     >> never taking it for granted again.
    
        I'm sure that players already thank [fill-in your favorite
        object of worship] that they can play baseball for a living. 
        That is not now nor has it ever been an issue. And I'm sure 
        that them taking baseball for granted isn't/wasn't an issue 
        either. Protecting what's your by maintaining something approx-
        imating a free market system is not disrespecting the game
        or taking it for granted, it's good economic sense. I tend to
        agree with whoever in here said that the reports of the death
        of baseball have been greatly exaggerated (to paraphase Mark
        Twain). Any damage that has been done will be healed the way
        many things in nature are - with time. The owners may end up
        smarter for the licks they've taken and mediocre players end up
        poorer but the game itself will remain in tact. So the long 
        soliloquies are real nice and I'm sure they're heartfelt but 
        they're also a bit misplaced.
     

Re                     <<< Note 8.170 by USCTR1::GARBARINO >>>

>It was being reported that the majority wasn't
>in line with the few, but the NLRB ruling saved them.  I don't think
>most would have crossed the lines, but I do think (based on what
>was being reported) that a split between the players was evolving.

  It's also being reported that Elvis rides around in a flying saucer trying to
find Liz to give her the cancer cure, but the fact remains that the Union held
solid with only a handful of the 700 or so major leaguers and a few guys at
the AAA level voicing discontent never mind indicating they'd play replacement
ball. 

>Hopefully baseball's economic system will change so drastically
>that we'll have owners catering to their customers and players
>thanking God everyday for being blessed with the ability to
>make a very good living playing baseball...and never taking
>it for granted again.

  Don't hold your breath. If there's any message the fans are sending by
filling stadiums in winning cities and staying home in losing cities, it's that
the owners had better go out and spend what it takes to win. Granted there are
a few breast beating types who call in to the radio shows and talk about greed
but the majority of fans avoid the moral high ground completely and support the
status quo when they support big spending winners and walk away from teams that
are losing. 

  About the only difference between the fans and the owners/players is that the
owners/players don't pretend that their only concern is the "good of the game".

  George

  Is there still a minor league team in New Britain? I couldn't find a
New Britain team in AA.

  George

Hardware City Rock Cats (Twins)

  Is Hardware City another name for New Britain?

  Is that new with this team or has New Britain been called that before?

  George

    I think Stanley(tools) is a fixture in New Britain.
    
    Jimbo

>    I think Stanley(tools) is a fixture in New Britain.

So to speak... :-)

Stanley Tools has been the major employer in New Britain for a while.  I'm
pretty sure it's been referred to as "Hardware City" for quite a while -
perhaps our esteemed moderator (as opposed to the faux mods) can verify this.

Roland is correct.  Stanley Tools has probably been the MAJOR employer in New
Britain for many years.  Thus the nickname "Hardware City."

The team was called the New Britain Red Sox, who moved from Bristol to New
Britain in the early 1980s.  When owner Joe Buzas decided NOT to move the team
two years ago, Dan Duquette had a hissy and the Red Sox pulled their
affiliation.

The team became affiliated with the Minnesota Twins.  


I'm kind of old fashioned and I didn't really like the name Rock Cats at first.
I've gotten used to it now.

They have a new stadium this year and everyone who has been is quite impressed
with it.  Me, I'll miss the old Marlboro Man.


'Saw

from the wires:

Charleston Alley Cats (South Atlantic League/A) -- Infielder Anthony
Patellis was reassigned to Billings of the Pioneer League (Rookie);
designated hitter Jason Parsons was reassigned to Princeton of the
Appalachian League (Rookie).
 
Ya gotta luv the name...

	Heard on the news that some minor league team down in Florida is 
	having an evengin when folks can come out and watch the game in their 
	birthday suits.  They will, however, be shielded from other fans by a 
	large screen, net, or somesuch.

	Kevin

>
>	Heard on the news that some minor league team down in Florida is 
>	having an evengin when folks can come out and watch the game in their 
>	birthday suits.  They will, however, be shielded from other fans by a 
>	large screen, net, or somesuch.
>
>	Kevin


That reminds me of the old thing Soupy Sales got in trouble for.  He was
telling how he took his wife to the ballgame and he kissed her between the
strikes and she kissed him between the......

>That reminds me of the old thing Soupy Sales got in trouble for.  He was
>telling how he took his wife to the ballgame and he kissed her between the
>strikes and she kissed him between the......

Is this the same Soupy Sales who, on his kids show, told the kids to take the
green pieces of paper out of Mom and Dad's wallets and send them to him?  :-)

[http://www.amdest.com/stars/ssales.html]
   
                                  SOUPY SALES
                                       
Welcome to Soupy Sales Biography!
   
   Who is the world's leading authority on pie-throwing? It has to be
   Soupy Sales: 19,000 at last count. Not only did he elevate pie-tossing
   to an art form, but at the height of his show's popularity, dozens of
   stars - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Curtis were just a few
   - begged to be on the receiving end of one of his pies.
   
   Soupy was born in Franklinton, North Carolina, and grew up in
   Huntington, West Virginia. After receiving his B.A. in Journalism at
   Marshall University, he landed a job as a radio script writer at WHTN,
   a small station in Huntington. In the evenings, he honed his comedic
   skills at distant nightclubs. "I remember driving 80 miles to play at
   these clubs for $15 a night," recalls Soupy. "The money wasn't much,
   but the experience was invaluable." Meanwhile, back at WHTN, his high
   energy gift for gab led to a spot on the air, and soon he was the
   top-rated DJ in the area.
   
   When he moved to Cincinnati in 1950, Soupy chose television as his new
   medium. "Soupy's Soda Shop" became America's first teenage dance
   television program. This was later followed by "Club Nothing," a 45
   minute talk show spiced with Soupy's zany comedy routines, guests and
   music.
   
   It was in 1953, when Soupy moved to Detroit, that he began his fast
   climb that soon made him Motor City's top-rated TV personality for 7
   years. The comedian helmed an unbelievable 11 hours of TV time each
   week, including his noontime "Lunch With Soupy Sales," which marked
   the first non-cartoon Saturday morning program on the ABC-TV network.
   His format became an inspiration to the many children's shows to come.
   
   Soupy moved to the West Coast in 1960, and by the following year, his
   "Soupy Sales Show" was L.A.'s number one show, pulling in more fan
   mail than all of ABC-TV's network shows combined. His initial Friday
   night show will long be rememberd for the quality of the stars it
   attracted, and the episode with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr.
   getting pie-faced (featured on "The Best of the Soupy Sales Show,"
   available on Rhino Home Video) was the first show in history to beat
   the long-running, top-rated "Rawhide."
   
   In September of 1964, Soupy took his show to New York, where it soon
   became the biggest show of its kind in local television. Two years
   later the show was seen throughout the U.S. as well as in Canada,
   Australia and New Zealand.
   
   When he recorded his zany dance creation "The Mouse" (also featured on
   "The Best of the Soupy Sales Show"), the record sold over a quarter of
   a million copies in two weeks in New York alone, and along with
   another Sales record, "Spy with a Pie," became a national
   chart-topper. In the mid-sixties, Ed Sullivan, Dean Martin, Bob Hope
   and Carol Burnett are some of the stars that had Soupy on their prime
   time shows.
   
   During that time, there wasn't an arena that Soupy didn't play:
   Broadway, dinner theatre, comedy clubs, and television were all gifted
   with Soupy's talents. By 1968 he had joined the panel of "What�s My
   Line?" as a regular, logging in 1,500 shows in his 7 year run.
   
   The early seventies saw Soupy breaking in his nightclub act, and
   guest-starring on dozens of shows. In 1975 Soupy hosted ABC's Saturday
   hit show "Jr. Almost Anything Goes" for a season. More game shows, as
   host and panelist followed, until his New York nightclub debut at the
   Rainbow Grill in 1976 which opened to such critical acclaim that The
   New York Times wrote, "Soupy's back and his hoarse, free-form delivery
   is as boisterous, zany and oddly fetching as ever." The New York Post
   added, "...unending laughs...a wildly hilarious show."
   
   In 1978 he began his three year co-starring role on "Sha Na Na." As
   the '80's arrived, so did more Soupy Sales fans, after seeing him in
   his SRO nightclub performances, panel shows, and "TV's Bloopers and
   Practical Jokes," where he was a semi-regular.
   
   In the 90's we've come full circle, with "The Best of the Soupy Sales
   Show" available for the first time on home video. Now a whole new
   generation can enjoy the pie-faced prankster do what he does best:
   Make people laugh...
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   [IMAGE] For information on how to arrange performance dates, speaking
   engagements, or any other personal appearances, please e-mail--
   Attention Soupy Sales.,
   In conjunction with Entertainment Alliance, Santa Rosa, CA 
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Return to Hollywood's Celebrity Corner

Yep, that's the same Soupy Sales.

TTom, thanks for the quick Web work. 

>    TTom, you should get out more often.

I'll put my calendar/schedule nexted to most anyone, spatially you
married types.

TTom

>
>>    TTom, you should get out more often.
>
>I'll put my calendar/schedule nexted to most anyone, spatially you
>married types.
>
>TTom


I know for a fack(tm) that TTom has a gold-plated, engraved KP, signed by
hisself....

    
    	I know for a FACK (tm) that yours will soon be revoked!  :*)
    
    Claybone

  On a more mundane note, can someone enter directions to the stadium where
Hardware City plays in New Britain, Conn.?

  I might be getting down there next month. I'd be coming down I86 from Boston.

  George

>  I might be getting down there next month. I'd be coming down I86 from Boston.
>
>  George


Well, actually now, it's I-84 all the way up to the Mass Pike.  A few years
back they decided that I-84 was never going to be built to Providence, so what
was 86 became 84.


Anyway, you have two choices:

The first way is a bit more direct, but I can't remember how to get to
the field from Rt 9 going south.

I can get you there a second way which is just a bit longer (but probably
less traffic for an evening game).



	Take I-84 West to East Hartford.  There the left lanes
	split off and will get you to I-91 South.  You can't
	miss the split.   There'll be a big Showcase Cinemas
	right next to the highway on the left, and about half a
	mile later is the split.

	Get on I-91 South and go to Exit 22.  There's 22A and
	22B but you want the one for Rt 9 NORTH.  (One exit is
	a left exit, the other is a right exit and you want the
	right hand exit).

	Stay on Rt 9.  Pretty soon you'll see signs for Rt. 71
	and the left lane splits away.  Take that.  There's signs
	from that point anyway, but I think it's the second exit
	off of that split.  Take the exit and you are literally
	right in front of the entrance to the park complex.


George, if there's more than a week before you go, I'll see if I can't
get some more explicit directions.  I'm familiar with the area but don't
know the exit numbers and stuff because I never use them.  

Plus if I get a chance I'll see if I can find out how to get there
from 9 SOUTH.  (You'd stay on I84 until you hit 9 South just past
West Hartford).


'Saw

	

  'Saw,

  Thanks, that sounds like it should work.

  I'm aiming for JULY 4-7 when Trenton is suppose to be in town. Hoping to
get a look at Trott Nixon.

  George

>  I'm aiming for JULY 4-7 when Trenton is suppose to be in town. Hoping to
>get a look at Trott Nixon.

Go to Norwich if you really want to see *prospects*.

  Is that Norwich Conn.? The same Norwich that's on Rt 52 South of Worcester?

  Also, anyone know where Binghamton is located? That's the Mets AA farm team.
It's in the Northern division of the Eastern League so it must be somewhere
in New York or New England.

  I'm still going to see Trenton play Hardware City but seeing as how Norwich
is that close, why not?

  George

>  Is that Norwich Conn.? The same Norwich that's on Rt 52 South of Worcester?

Yes it is.  I think it takes one hour and 45 minutes from Marlboro.


>  Also, anyone know where Binghamton is located?

NY State.  South of Syracuse, north of the Penn border.  Center of the
state.

Despite Joe's tongue-in-cheek comment (Norwich is the Yankmes farm affiliate
after all) he is correct in that you will see good baseball there also.

Norwich is in southern CT.  Best way to get there is to keep going straight
past the Mass Pike exit off of 290 (it becomes 395 soon after) and go 
south.


There are three minor league teams in CT, all within 45-50 minutes drive of
me.

New Britain CT has the aforementioned Hardware City Rock Cats (Twins).

New Haven CT (straight shot down I-91) has the New Haven Ravens (Rockies)
who play in Yale Stadium)

Norwich CT has the Norich Navigators (Yankees) and are not all that far
from the Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard.


I can try to obtain directions to the stadiums for anyone who might be
interested....


'Saw

  Ok, Norwich is on my list.

  Did they ever go through with that plan to bring the Nautilus to New London
and build a museum around it? If so a Norwich Navigators / Nautilus expedition
might make a good day trip.

  George

>
>  Did they ever go through with that plan to bring the Nautilus to New London
>and build a museum around it? If so a Norwich Navigators / Nautilus expedition
>might make a good day trip.
>
>  George


The museum was there, and has improved.  The Nautilus was brought there is is
permanently moored at the end of a dock past the museum.  It is manned by
active duty naval personnel from the Submarine Base.

Just after the Nautilus was brought there, my dad and I went down to see it. 
It turned out to be quite a day because in the museum, hanging on the wall, was
the battle flag from the USS Spadefish (SS-411) the boat my dad served on.

Then, we walked out to the pier and started on the boat, and the sailor there
noticed my dad's hat (his Spadefish ballcap) and it was like the royal
treatment from there on out.  The sailors all called my dad "Sir" (and he was
never an officer) and asked him if he wanted a tour guide or anything.

My dad is kind of reserved, so he said thank you, but no, and we just explored
the boat ourselves.  

I was so proud of him that day....


The exhibits in the museum change regularly and in subsequent trips I haven't
seen the battle flag on the wall, but I hope to see it again someday....


'SAw

>There are three minor league teams in CT, all within 45-50 minutes drive of
>me.

C'mon 'saw.  ALL of CT is only 45 minutes drive from you, no matter where you 
are in the state.

brews

>C'mon 'saw.  ALL of CT is only 45 minutes drive from you, no matter where you 
>are in the state.

Not true, O Sudsy One....


Last Tuesday, and again this Sunday, I have to go from Middletown to Newtown. 
That's rougly one hour.

Basically from Hartford, on the highway, you're looking at one hour to get to
the corners of the state, and an additional 15-20 minutes added on to get down
into the 'panhandle'.....


I can be in New Haven for the Ravens in 20 minutes.  I can be to New Britain
for the Rock Cats in 5-10 minutes.  Norwich is probably 40 minutes, only
because there are no easy routes.

But if I want to go to Thompson or Woodstock, Pomfret or Putnam, we're talking
an hour just about.   Same with Salisbury, Sharon, Canaan or Cornwall.


8^)

    
    
        How long is it from Bradley to Foxwoods???
    
    
    Chap

that's cause youse aren't manly enough to have 75mph speed limits.

brews

>
>that's cause youse aren't manly enough to have 75mph speed limits.
>
>brews

Actually, I had a chat about that with a friend of mine who is a State Senator. 
I was bitching and griping about having to drive 55 all the way out I84 to
the Mass pike (well to the Mass line anyway).

He asked me how fast I drove.  I said 65.  He said you'll rarely, if ever, get
a ticket for doing 65 on those stretches of road where it's safe to do that.
(That section of 84 for example.)

On the other hand, he said that if they raised the speed limits, it would give
the insurance companies an excuse to raise their rates, which are high enough
as it is.


The argument made sense to me.  I doubt that I could push my truck at 75 for
long periods now anyway (it's got 158K miles on it).  

So, as long as I know I won't get a ticket (well, rarely anyway) for 60-65 I've
got no problem with that.


On the other hand, I've got a friend named Abele.  Abele drives like the
hammers of hell.  In fact, we have a saying about Abele:

	
		Any place in Connecticut to any other place
		in Connecticut in 20 minutes... or your money
		back.


Which brings me to Chappy's question:

	From Bradley airport (or teletrack) it's probably about
	45 minutes (given average traffic) to the Casino....

	Unless you're riding with Abele.


'Saw

  So for the 3 AA teams in Conn. are they in reasonably peaceful areas?

  Any worry about taking the good car to a Friday or Saturday night game?

  Any need for helmets, bullet proof vests or the like?

  George

>
>  So for the 3 AA teams in Conn. are they in reasonably peaceful areas?
>
>  Any worry about taking the good car to a Friday or Saturday night game?
>
>  Any need for helmets, bullet proof vests or the like?


I can tell you definitely about two of them.

New Britain is fine.  They do charge for parking now, but the lot is large, and
well patrolled -- not that it's in a bad neighborhood by any means.   It's in a
large sports complex, so that's no problem.

New Haven is cool too.  Yale Field is right next door (just about) to the Yale
Bowl, and the tennis center (where they played the Volvo tournament).  We
parked in the area around the Yale Bowl for $2.   Again, no problems.

Norwich I've not been to, so I can't say, but knowing Norwich, it's a sleepy
little place that shouldn't have any problems.


'Saw

>Norwich I've not been to, so I can't say, but knowing Norwich, it's a sleepy
>little place that shouldn't have any problems.

Norwich is in the middle of nowhere.  You follow roads through an office
park...you'll swear you took a wrong turn, but the signs keep telling
you you're on the right track.  There's no problem with the Norwich site.
I believe it was $2 for parking last year.

    
      For somone who lives in the city, you sure are wimp when it
     comes to attending sporting events, George.

  Ok, then I'm taking the new car.

  In other news, the Red Sox's short season A ball team has moved from Elmira
New York to Lowell Mass (about 30 miles North West of Boston). The team
features BBA top 100 prospect Andy Yount. I hear the 1st game is already sold
out. 

  George

George,

(I hope you're in the week to see this.)


Yesterday I had an opportunity to find out which exit you take if you're
coming Ct. 9 South.

Here's the quickest set of directions for you:


From the Mass border on I84 West:


	Take I84 West through Hartford. 

		Watch out, cause the highway is pretty curvy and
		there's lots o' nuts out there

	Take Exit 39B, CT 9 SOUTH.	

		I'm not 100% sure of the letter.  They added this
		exit in recently.  I do know headed westbound it
		is the very next exit after Exit 40.

        Stay on Rt 9 South for a couple of miles.  

		Watch for the Iwo Jima Memorial on the right
		hand side.  It's a replica of the flag raising
		on Surabachi, and the flag on the momnument only
		has 48 stars.  (Just a point of interest).
		
                Shortly after that you'll see a sign on the right
		that announces Willowbrook Park, Exit 25.
		About 1.5 miles after that (give or take) is exit 25.
		

	Take Exit 25.  (Sign says Ellis Street and Rt 71)

                I'm not sure how the ramp ends off the highway,
		but you want to go south on 71 (which is like a
		regular road, not a highway).  If the exit ramp
		doesn't do anything weird, I'm guessing it's a
		left onto 71.


	Go south on 71 for maybe a mile, and Willowbrook Park is
	on the right.  You cannot miss it.  Baseball stadium is
	behind the big football/soccer/track stadium that is next
	to the road.
			

Hope this helps....

'Saw

    >            Watch for the Iwo Jima Memorial on the right
    >                hand side.  It's a replica of the flag raising
    >                on Surabachi, and the flag on the momnument only
    >                has 48 stars.  (Just a point of interest).
    >    
    
    	'Saw, I meant to mention that you missed the 6/14 Flag day essay. 
    I remembered because the Olympic Torch went thru Nashua about that time
    and it occurred to me (from the throng and excitement) that the Olympic
    "Flag"(torch) is so much bigger than Old Glory.  Parades don't get
    nearly the attendance and interest.
    
    	George, don't take your eye off the road to long in Hartford what
    with the trailer trucks entering and exiting.

  Ok, thanks.

  George

>    
>    	'Saw, I meant to mention that you missed the 6/14 Flag day essay. 
>    I remembered because the Olympic Torch went thru Nashua about that time
>    and it occurred to me (from the throng and excitement) that the Olympic
>    "Flag"(torch) is so much bigger than Old Glory.  Parades don't get
>    nearly the attendance and interest.
    
Yes, I did.  

I came across something somewhere, that I saved, and if I can find it, I'll
post it.


>    	George, don't take your eye off the road to long in Hartford what
>    with the trailer trucks entering and exiting.

Good advice, especially between downtown Hartford, where you go under
the big "Welcome to Hartford" tunnel thingie, and out to exit 44 or so.


Whoever designed that particular stretch of road should be shot.


'Saw

  I took in two minor league games over the holiday. On Saturday I went up to
Portland Maine to see the Marlins' AA Portland Sea Dogs play the Binghamton
Mets and on Sunday I went to New Britain to see the Twins' AA Rock Cats play
the Red Sox's Trenton Thunder. 

  Both Stadiums are really nice. They each seat 6-7 thousand with New Britain
stadium having an edge in comfort since all it's seats have backs. In Portland
General Admission sits on benches. All seats are near the infield and have a
great view. 

  One interesting thing about New Britain is that it's right next to their old
Beehive stadium where guys like Clemens and Mo Vaughn played AA ball. What a
contrast, the old stadium looked like nothing but open bleachers around a
baseball field. The new stadium has a typical indoor food area, announcers booth
and the works. 

  Both games were fun. The Portland game was a pitchers duel ending something
like 2-1 where as the New Britain game was a slugfest with the Thunder winning
11-7. 

  One thing I found weird was that even though both games were in the Eastern
League the New Britain game had the DH and the Portland game did not. Guess
Eastern League teams go on the basis of their parent team's league instead of
having a DH rule of their own. 

  Both parks had entertainment for the kids. Portland has "Slugger the Sea Dog"
and New Britain has "Rockie the Rock Cat", a couple S.D. Chicken type guys in
suits. The kids went nuts every time these guys came out and the each ran
various contests for kids between innings. New Britain also had a clown.

  The food was typical stadium food. In Portland they bring it up into the
stands but in N.B. the cotton candy guy was the only one to come up several
times. The Ice Cream person came by once. 

  I got to see Donny Sadler and Trot Nixon for the Trenton Thunder. Sadler is a
little guy around 5' 4". At one point they were trying to convert him to center
field but he seems to be back at short stop. Trot Nixon is a slugging
outfielder type who's struggling a bit at AA but they say he's coming along. He
looks a lot like Chipper Jones in the batter's box, same type of stance, same
type of long smooth swing. 

  Anyway, it's a really great experience. I recommend Double A ball, it's a
really fun time. Now if the plan holds, Norwich on Wednesday.

  George 

>  Both Stadiums are really nice. They each seat 6-7 thousand with New Britain
>stadium having an edge in comfort since all it's seats have backs. In Portland
>General Admission sits on benches.

You should have paid the extra buck, George... :-)

  Sold out. General Admission was all they had left.

  That was one other difference. Portland was packed but it was full of people
on vacation who didn't seem to care much who won or lost.

  New Britain was only about 1/2 full but people seemed to be pulling for the
Rock Cats in spite of the fact that they were playing a Red Sox farm team.

  George

>Portland was packed but it was full of people
>on vacation who didn't seem to care much who won or lost.

On Thursday it'll have four guys who meet that description... :-)

I absolutely love seeing games at Hadlock Field - not a bad seat in the
house, good baseball, well-behaved crowds, reasonable concessions, and
Geary's Pale Ale on tap.  Add in the advantage of The Great Lost Bear only
being a couple of miles away, and it makes for a day that's hard to beat.

  That's for sure, I had a great time. Add to that, double A is really good
quality baseball and you are right near the action no matter where you sit. 

  Same for New Britain. When I got to New Britain Stadium I asked for seats
"near the infield". I got use to doing that at Fenway to avoid getting stuck in
the right field corner or high up in the Center Field bleachers but of course
there is no such thing at a minor league game. When I got to my seat I found
out that "near the infield" in double A means 3rd row behind the home dugout. 

  George