Tagged: About Last Night

About Friday Night: Spokane Indians, August 12, 2016

On Friday night I visited Spokane, Washington, the final stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip. After a not-so-brief travel and sleep delay, I now provide the following brief recap. There will be far more to come on the blog regarding this trip, as well as my previous Appalachian League excursion. 

August 12: Spokane Indians (Class A Short-Season affiliate of the Texas Rangers)

Opponent: Eugene Emeralds, 6:30 p.m.

Avista Stadium, from the outside: 

IMG_0392Avista Stadium, from within: 

IMG_0424Culinary Creation: Bacon Blue Fries (beer-battered fries with blue cheese dressing, blue cheese crumbles and bacon crumbles)

IMG_2777Ballpark Character: Doris the Spokanosaurus

IMG_2771At Random: The Indians are long-time partners of the Spokane Indian tribe; signage throughout the ballpark is in the tribe’s native Salish language.

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Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

This trip is over!

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

About Last Night: Tri-City Dust Devils, August 11, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Thursday night I visited Pasco, Washington, the penultimate stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (Class A Short-Season affiliate of the San Diego Padres)

Opponent: Spokane Indians, 7:15 p.m.

Gesa Stadium, from the outside: 

IMG_0365Gesa Stadium, from within: 

IMG_0370Culinary Creation: The Grand Slam Burger (topped with barbecue pulled pork)

IMG_2685Ballpark Character: On-field emcee/late-innings peanut vendor Erik Mertens

IMG_2677At Random: I’m going to go ahead and declare this to be the biggest sunshade in Minor League Baseball.

IMG_0380Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

MiLB.com articles from this trip thus far: (Read ’em all!)

At the Helm in Sacramento

It’s Churros Time in San Jose

Marty is Doing Well in Visalia

Up Next: 

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

About Last Night: Boise Hawks, August 10, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Wednesday night I visited Boise, Idaho, the eighth stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 10: Boise Hawks (Class A Short-Season affiliate of the Colorado Rockies)

Opponent: Hillsboro Hops, 7:15 p.m.

Memorial Stadium, from the outside: 

IMG_0322Memorial Stadium, from within: 

IMG_0326Culinary Creation: Rocky Mountain Oysters (look it up)

IMG_0347Ballpark Character: Rally Rocket, the alter-ego of Hawks’ account executive Jon Jensen.

IMG_1082At Random: I was Fry. I lost in this race to Spud and Gem.

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Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (vs. Spokane, 7:15 p.m.)

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

About Last Night: Reno Aces, August 8, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Monday night I visited Reno, Nevada, the seventh stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 8: Reno Aces (Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks)

Opponent: Salt Lake Bees, 7:05 p.m.

Greater Nevada Field, from the outside: 

IMG_0272Greater Nevada Field, from within: 

IMG_0292Culinary Creation: Funnel cake, red velvet funnel cake and a deep-fried Snickers bar lurking in the back.

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Ballpark Character: Princess, a 10-year-old pit bull rescue dog, has become a ballpark celebrity. She shares an office with her owner, Aces executive vice president Andrew Daugherty.

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At Random: Aces shortstop Jack Reinheimer made a cameo as designated eater, becoming the first-ever active player to act in this capacity. A truly historic moment.

IMG_2526Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

August 10: Boise Hawks (vs. Hillsboro, 7:15 p.m.)

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (vs. Spokane, 7:15 p.m.)

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

About Last Night: Las Vegas 51s, August 6, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Saturday night I visited Las Vegas, the sixth stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 6: Las Vegas 51s (Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets)

Opponent: Fresno Grizzlies, 7:05 p.m.

Cashman Field, from the outside: 

IMG_0246Cashman Field, from within: 

IMG_2431Culinary Creation: Atomic Dog (hot dog, bacon, nacho cheese, jalapenos on a pretzel bun)

IMG_2447Ballpark Character: Bruce the Beer Man is very, very, very loud.

At Random: I finally got around to doing a #cupdate, for all the #cupdate fiends out there.

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Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

August 8: Reno Aces (vs. Salt Lake, 7:05 p.m.)

August 10: Boise Hawks (vs. Hillsboro, 7:15 p.m.)

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (vs. Spokane, 7:15 p.m.)

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

About Last Night: Visalia Rawhide, August 5, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Friday night I visited Visalia, California, the fifth stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 4: Visalia Rawhide (Class A Advanced affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks)

Opponent: Inland Empire 66ers, 7:00 p.m.

Recreation Park, from the outside: 

IMG_0214Recreation Park, from within: 

IMG_2405Culinary Creation: Spicy Corn Nugget, an inside look.

IMG_2401

Ballpark Characters: Rawhide general manager Jennifer Pendergraft with her two and half week-old son, Maverick.

IMG_2399At Random: Team history painted on a slab of gunite that forms the base of the grandstand.

IMG_2394Your Grounbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

August 6: Las Vegas 51s (vs. Fresno, 7:05 p.m.)

August 8: Reno Aces (vs. Salt Lake, 7:05 p.m.)

August 10: Boise Hawks (vs. Hillsboro, 7:15 p.m.)

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (vs. Spokane, 7:15 p.m.)

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

About Last Night: San Jose Giants, August 4, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Wednesday night I visited San Jose, California, the fourth stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 4: San Jose Giants (Class A Advanced affiliate of the San Francisco Giants)

Opponent: Stockton Ports, 7:00 p.m.

Municipal Stadium, from the outside: 

IMG_0137Municipal Stadium, from within: 

IMG_0169Culinary Creations: Barbecue spread from Turkey Mike’s

IMG_2352Ballpark Character: Paul, beloved churros vendor

IMG_0201

At Random: One of many pieces of concourse art, which combine to make Municipal Stadium one of the most unique and aesthetically pleasing ballparks I have ever been to. The door below used to house a phone booth, hence the Clark Kent/Superman theme.

IMG_0140 Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

August 5: Visalia Rawhide (vs. Inland Empire, 7:00 p.m.)

August 6: Las Vegas 51s (vs. Fresno, 7:05 p.m.)

August 8: Reno Aces (vs. Salt Lake, 7:05 p.m.)

August 10: Boise Hawks (vs. Hillsboro, 7:15 p.m.)

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (vs. Spokane, TBD)

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

About Last Night: Modesto Nuts, August 3, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Wednesday night I visited Modesto, California, the third stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 3: Modesto Nuts (Class A Advanced affiliate of the Colorado Rockies)

Opponent: Visalia Rawhide, 7:05 p.m.

John Thurman Field, from the outside: 

IMG_0107John Thurman Field, from within: 

IMG_0115Culinary Creation: Chicken and Rice Bowl, a new addition for 2016.

IMG_0126Ballpark Characters: Wally, Shelley and Al, a triumvirate of anthropomorphic nuts.

IMG_2275

At Random: All of my slinging attempts after this one were flawless, of course.

Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

August 4: San Jose Giants (vs. Modesto, 6:30 p.m.)

August 5: Visalia Rawhide (vs. Inland Empire, 7:00 p.m.)

August 6: Las Vegas 51s (vs. Fresno, 7:05 p.m.)

August 8: Reno Aces (vs. Salt Lake, 7:05 p.m.)

August 10: Boise Hawks (vs. Hillsboro, 7:15 p.m.)

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (vs. Spokane, TBD)

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

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About Last Night: Stockton Ports, August 2, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Tuesday night I visited Stockton, California, the second stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 2: Stockton Ports (Class A Advanced affiliate of the Oakland A’s)

Opponent: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 7:10 p.m. game time

Banner Island Ballpark, from the outside: 

IMG_0076Banner Island Ballpark, from within: 

IMG_0068Culinary Creation: Stockton is the apsaragus capitol of the world. Thus, the Asparagus Dog.

IMG_2237

Ballpark Character: Greg “Kool Papa” Bell, Ports fan turned #1 Ports salesman.

IMG_2249

At Random: Truly, I can do it all.

Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

August 3: Modesto Nuts (vs. Visalia, 7:05 p.m.)

August 4: San Jose Giants (vs. Modesto, 6:30 p.m.)

August 5: Visalia Rawhide (vs. Inland Empire, 7:00 p.m.)

August 6: Las Vegas 51s (vs. Fresno, 7:05 p.m.)

August 8: Reno Aces (vs. Salt Lake, 7:05 p.m.)

August 10: Boise Hawks (vs. Hillsboro, 7:15 p.m.)

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (vs. Spokane, TBD)

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz

About Last Night: Sacramento River Cats, August 1, 2016

This season, when I’m on the road, I’ll write a quick blog post about each Minor League ballpark that I visit. Then, when I return home, I’ll provide the multifaceted blog coverage that you have come to know and perhaps even love. On Monday night I visited Sacramento, California, the first stop on my sprawling 10-team California-Nevada-Idaho-Washington road trip.

August 1: Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants) 

Opponent: Salt Lake Bees, 7:05 p.m.

Raley Field, from the outside: 

IMG_0002Raley Field, from within: 

IMG_2216

Culinary Creation: Bacon Donut Cheeseburger

IMG_2211Ballpark Characters: California Governors Davis, Reagan and Schwarzenegger compete in a nightly “Heads of State” race (I was Ronnie).

IMG_5660 At Random: A big River Cats fan hanging out above the team store.

IMG_0022Your Groundbreaking and Subversive Ballpark Joke of the Day: 

Up Next: 

August 2: Stockton Ports (vs. Rancho Cucamonga, 7:10 p.m.)

August 3: Modesto Nuts (vs. Visalia, 7:05 p.m.)

August 4: San Jose Giants (vs. Modesto, 6:30 p.m.)

August 5: Visalia Rawhide (vs. Inland Empire, 7:00 p.m.)

August 6: Las Vegas 51s (vs. Fresno, 7:05 p.m.)

August 8: Reno Aces (vs. Salt Lake, 7:05 p.m.)

August 10: Boise Hawks (vs. Hillsboro, 7:15 p.m.)

August 11: Tri-City Dust Devils (vs. Spokane, TBD)

August 12: Spokane Indians (vs. Eugene, 6:30 p.m.)

***

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

twitter.com/bensbiz

instagram.com/thebensbiz