Beyond the White Lines of MInor League Baseball
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
There is much more to Minor League games than just the baseball. The stadiums are small and intimate, there are always goofy promotions or on the field events, and the mascots are often the most recognizable face in the ballpark. So, with that in mind, here are a few updates from around the Minor Leagues that will take you beyond the white lines.
Late in the 2013 season, the Trenton Thunder announced that Chase, their bat dog, had passed away after 11 years with the club. Chase would greet fans, play Frisbee in the outfield, and do what any golden retriever would do, retrieve the bats from batter’s box. Chase’s son, Derby, would share bat dog duties with his dad, but the Thunder don’t want to go back down to just one bat dog, so, in late-January, they announced the newest bat dog, Rookie. Rookie has what every scout loves in a prospect, good bloodlines. His father is Derby, and grandfather is Chase. The six week old golden retriever is expected to be in mid-season form by the season opener, April 3.
On January 3rd, Minor League fans everywhere saw something they never want to see, a ballpark engulfed in flames. Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Michigan, home of the Western Michigan Whitecaps was set ablaze when a space heater ignited a Rubbermaid trash bin, and once the fire began, it quickly grew out of control thanks to a sprinkler system that failed to work properly. The majority of the structure down the first baseline was either badly damaged or destroyed completely, but Whitecaps representatives continue to say, “we will rebuild, we will play ball this Spring.” It appears they will be able to keep that promise, as demolition has completed, and construction began on Thursday. They are expected to have the stadium operational by the home opener, April 8th. They are also still expected to host the Midwest League All-Star game.
Vero Beach will be hosting baseball again this season. More affectionately known as Dodgertown, the Dodgers called Vero Beach their Spring Training home from 1948-2008, before relocating to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. This year, on Jackie Robinson Day, April 15th, Holman Stadium will host the first annual Jackie Robinson Celebration Game. The game will take place between the Brevard County Manatees and Lakeland Flying Tigers. It is a shame neither the team Jackie Robinson played for, the Dodgers, nor the team that was added to the New York market after the Giants and Dodgers moved to the West Coast, the Mets, will be represented in the game, but it will be good to see baseball back in Vero Beach.