Erie, Pennsylvania is a sleepy town.
There’s not much to see there, and for what it’s worth, the people seem to be happy with that status.
John Frey, the general manager of the Erie Seawolves, caters to the town’s needs and attitudes by making Jerry Uht Park a natural attraction to locals and baseball fans alike. Erie’s front office focuses on balancing in-game promotions with allowing the fans to watch the talent on the field.
“The people of Erie love a good deal,” said Frey. “We established Buck Night to give the fans what they want at a very reasonable price.”
Buck Night at the park consists of $1 hot dogs, drinks, beers, snacks, and formerly, $1 tickets to the game. The turning economy has driven Frey to raise the ticket prices to a whopping $3, but Buck Night still drives fans to the park nonetheless.
When it is not Buck Night, the low prices on food and drink still exist, with happy hour prices lasting up to the first pitch. The deals that the town’s population is proud of reflect the down-to-earth atmosphere that calls itself home in Erie..
The regular in-game events are seen during the night, including the hot dog mascot race, t-shirt tosses, and dancing on dugouts. With the park’s $4 million upgrade a few years ago bringing the fans closer to the field and the game, Frey’s staff wanted a way to keep them involved with the play. Fans can play Bingo throughout the game, using different plays to correspond with the bingo cards that are handed out before the first pitch.
It is the unique approach that has the Erie Seawolves setting themselves apart in the world of AA baseball. Everyone who works at the park is passionate about their profession, and the game that is their job. The ushers will adamantly tell a fan where the best seat in the house is, even if their ticket is for lesser value. The vendors will make a sausage right in front of you rather than pulling it out of a foil pouch. And the players themselves are happy to stick around to sign autographs or chat with a fan for a few minutes, adding to the experience that is rarely found in professional baseball
Friday, August 14, 2009
Where Pros Meet Players (From August 4)
I have now seen the differences between the Independent Leagues and affiliated ball, and I can say that the Independents do it way better. I love MLB and everything, but the business guys acts a lot more invested in their product.
Ryan Gates, the General Manager of the Lake Erie Crushers in the Frontier League, has been advancing his career for a decade, most recently coming from West Virginia. But in the Independent League, he stays in check with the players and coaches, along with balancing out what happens in the stadium. Seeing him milling among the crowd at the game against the Kalamazoo Kings convinced me that he is willing to be involved in all aspects of the business side of baseball.
Nothing against Rob Marron, the GM of the Single-A Lake County Captains, but the job in the affiliated game is a lot less involved. Marron, the GM and Vice President of Player Development focuses on “everything in foul territory.” They do not really pay too much attention on the players themselves, and couldn’t really tell about what happens in the clubhouse. The upside is that he can focus on crafty promotions and events for the team, a skill that has landed him regards across the country for his efforts.
The experience leaves me wanting to see more Independent League baseball in the future. It is like a college game with advertisements and in-game fun that attracts baseball fanatics and baseball families alike.
Ryan Gates, the General Manager of the Lake Erie Crushers in the Frontier League, has been advancing his career for a decade, most recently coming from West Virginia. But in the Independent League, he stays in check with the players and coaches, along with balancing out what happens in the stadium. Seeing him milling among the crowd at the game against the Kalamazoo Kings convinced me that he is willing to be involved in all aspects of the business side of baseball.
Nothing against Rob Marron, the GM of the Single-A Lake County Captains, but the job in the affiliated game is a lot less involved. Marron, the GM and Vice President of Player Development focuses on “everything in foul territory.” They do not really pay too much attention on the players themselves, and couldn’t really tell about what happens in the clubhouse. The upside is that he can focus on crafty promotions and events for the team, a skill that has landed him regards across the country for his efforts.
The experience leaves me wanting to see more Independent League baseball in the future. It is like a college game with advertisements and in-game fun that attracts baseball fanatics and baseball families alike.
Inspiration-Grown Talent (From August 3)
Barry Craddock’s Fighting Scots of Wooster College have been to the College World Series five times, along with winning 12 NCAC titles and appearing in 24 National Tournaments.
The assistant coach of the Scots’ has been apart of Wooster College’s baseball world since 1990, when he enrolled as a freshman. After graduating in 1994, Craddock eventually landed his first coaching job at Denison College, where he went 182-130 as a head coach from 2000-2007.
However, the Ohio native wanted to return to his alma mater to continue his career at Wooster, arriving as an assistant coach.
“I grew up around here. All of my family and friends live in the area, and I just felt right about coming back,” said Craddock.
Learning from head coach Tim Pettorini, he found his niche at Wooster, becoming the liaison between player and head coach, and recruiting the talent from near and far. Craddock usually draws players from Ohio and Pennsylvania high schools. But he is not afraid to pluck a flamethrower or a hitter from far away. In the recent past, he has recruited in Virginia, North Carolina, and California.
But Wooster mostly prides their approach on the team chemistry that has existed in most of Craddock’s years at the school. “The reason why we we’re good is because we all like each other. Chemistry is our number 1 strength,” said Craddock.
Craddock admits that the Scots were not the most talented team at the College World Series this year, but the bond that existed between the players and the coaching staff propelled them to their 2nd place finish. It was the co-highlight of his baseball career, going along with his appearance in the CWS as a player for Wooster 15 years ago.
At the end of a player’s career, Craddock only wants them to experience the best they can while at Wooster. Every year, he believes they can make the tournament, and anything short is a disappointment.
And Craddock is not going away anytime soon.
“I have coached elsewhere, both at different schools and in the Lake Erie League, and I have no desires to move upward. Wooster is my home.”
The assistant coach of the Scots’ has been apart of Wooster College’s baseball world since 1990, when he enrolled as a freshman. After graduating in 1994, Craddock eventually landed his first coaching job at Denison College, where he went 182-130 as a head coach from 2000-2007.
However, the Ohio native wanted to return to his alma mater to continue his career at Wooster, arriving as an assistant coach.
“I grew up around here. All of my family and friends live in the area, and I just felt right about coming back,” said Craddock.
Learning from head coach Tim Pettorini, he found his niche at Wooster, becoming the liaison between player and head coach, and recruiting the talent from near and far. Craddock usually draws players from Ohio and Pennsylvania high schools. But he is not afraid to pluck a flamethrower or a hitter from far away. In the recent past, he has recruited in Virginia, North Carolina, and California.
But Wooster mostly prides their approach on the team chemistry that has existed in most of Craddock’s years at the school. “The reason why we we’re good is because we all like each other. Chemistry is our number 1 strength,” said Craddock.
Craddock admits that the Scots were not the most talented team at the College World Series this year, but the bond that existed between the players and the coaching staff propelled them to their 2nd place finish. It was the co-highlight of his baseball career, going along with his appearance in the CWS as a player for Wooster 15 years ago.
At the end of a player’s career, Craddock only wants them to experience the best they can while at Wooster. Every year, he believes they can make the tournament, and anything short is a disappointment.
And Craddock is not going away anytime soon.
“I have coached elsewhere, both at different schools and in the Lake Erie League, and I have no desires to move upward. Wooster is my home.”
Thursday, August 6, 2009
History's Pastime (From August 2)
A meeting at the Society of American Baseball Research and $10 later, and my notes are now worth the autograph of Hank “Pistol” Mason. He pitched in both the Negro Leagues and the Majors, and is one of the coolest people I have ever been in the same room with.
It is an interesting thing to talk about the men (and woman) who played in the Negro Leagues. At the SABR conference, the panel of former League players included Mason, Pedro Sierra, Sam Allen, and Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, the only woman to have ever played professional baseball.
These former players were, and still are, one of a kind. There are not many of them left, as six of the former Leaguers passed away over the last year. They all carry a unique sense of confidence about them, a well deserved confidence that represents how they defied social formalities and played professional baseball in a time before Jackie Robinson, and Martin Luther King. Earlier that day, I stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and inadvertently began to think of the historical moment that happened on those very steps, and the implications that it had on those Negro Leaguers who we were going to meet just a few minutes later. The League was a result of racism and segregation in America’s Pastime, and these former players, like many other African Americans during the era, used it not as a barrier, but as an opportunity, to create something to benefit them, and not their oppressor.
I posed a question to Pedro Sierra, asking him if he ever saw an instance where a player in the Negro Leagues did not respect the game as much as they should. Earlier in the conference, Sierra noted when he coaches baseball, he tells his players that in order to play the game well, they have to learn how to respect the game first. This point was particularly referenced to some of the current MLB players that, he feels, do not respect the game as much as players in his day did. But, as we all know, there are always exceptions to the rule. I asked the question to see if these players ever witnessed an example of disrespect during their time, because I know there were some.
But, they mostly dodged the question. It was apparent that they want to talk about the good times of the Leagues, and not dwell on the downfalls when so many other things held them back. In the larger picture, it was just not that important.
What was and is important to these players is how they played the game in their league. Hank Mason stated, “We played a different brand of baseball.” It was a game of small ball; steals, bunts, hit & runs, and the like. It is well noted the differences between the Negro Leagues and the Majors, with MLB priding themselves on power numbers. It was that type of game play that allowed Jackie Robinson to break the color barrier. But Mason believed that Robinson was signed out of an economical move, not necessarily because he was the best player in the Leagues. Robinson was college educated, and fit the “profile” that the Dodgers were looking for at the time. So to think that a player like Robinson, who was the epitome of Negro League ball at the time, was not considered to be the best by his peers. The Leagues were full of talent, and many of us, especially in my generation, are just beginning to realize how important these players are to today’s game.
It is an interesting thing to talk about the men (and woman) who played in the Negro Leagues. At the SABR conference, the panel of former League players included Mason, Pedro Sierra, Sam Allen, and Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, the only woman to have ever played professional baseball.
These former players were, and still are, one of a kind. There are not many of them left, as six of the former Leaguers passed away over the last year. They all carry a unique sense of confidence about them, a well deserved confidence that represents how they defied social formalities and played professional baseball in a time before Jackie Robinson, and Martin Luther King. Earlier that day, I stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and inadvertently began to think of the historical moment that happened on those very steps, and the implications that it had on those Negro Leaguers who we were going to meet just a few minutes later. The League was a result of racism and segregation in America’s Pastime, and these former players, like many other African Americans during the era, used it not as a barrier, but as an opportunity, to create something to benefit them, and not their oppressor.
I posed a question to Pedro Sierra, asking him if he ever saw an instance where a player in the Negro Leagues did not respect the game as much as they should. Earlier in the conference, Sierra noted when he coaches baseball, he tells his players that in order to play the game well, they have to learn how to respect the game first. This point was particularly referenced to some of the current MLB players that, he feels, do not respect the game as much as players in his day did. But, as we all know, there are always exceptions to the rule. I asked the question to see if these players ever witnessed an example of disrespect during their time, because I know there were some.
But, they mostly dodged the question. It was apparent that they want to talk about the good times of the Leagues, and not dwell on the downfalls when so many other things held them back. In the larger picture, it was just not that important.
What was and is important to these players is how they played the game in their league. Hank Mason stated, “We played a different brand of baseball.” It was a game of small ball; steals, bunts, hit & runs, and the like. It is well noted the differences between the Negro Leagues and the Majors, with MLB priding themselves on power numbers. It was that type of game play that allowed Jackie Robinson to break the color barrier. But Mason believed that Robinson was signed out of an economical move, not necessarily because he was the best player in the Leagues. Robinson was college educated, and fit the “profile” that the Dodgers were looking for at the time. So to think that a player like Robinson, who was the epitome of Negro League ball at the time, was not considered to be the best by his peers. The Leagues were full of talent, and many of us, especially in my generation, are just beginning to realize how important these players are to today’s game.
swing and a miss on these blogs
I'll knock myself on the job I've been doing on keeping my fans updated. I know. I suck at it.
We're in Syracuse now. Cleveland was an awesome experience, especially seeing the Victor Martinez-less Indians get owned by the Twins. The atmosphere in the Jake is absolutely dead. The fans there are hurting, to say the least.
Michelle just reminded me of the day before the Indians game, which was an Independent League match up between the Lake Erie Crushers and Kalamazoo Kings. This game, by contrast, was AWESOME. The crowd loves the team, which is made up of all types of players--from former major leaguers, to aspiring major leaguers, to guys who just love to play ball. The GM of the Crushers, who we met with before the game, came down to where we were sitting to hang out with the USM group, a really unique gesture that makes you feel that the fans matter as part of the picture.
We also got to see an A-ball club--the Lake County Captains (Indians affiliate) and got to walk out on the field. It was neat to get that perspective of a stadium.
Tonight we watched the Auburn Doubledays (Blue Jays affiliate) play at Falcon Park, another Class A club. It was the first extra-inning game we've seen, with Auburn winning when Vermont's 3rd baseman bobbled a grounder, sending in the run from 3rd.
So we go to Cooperstown tomorrow. It'll be my first trip to the Hall of Fame, so I'm pretty stoked. We'll be in Albany for the night, then on to Fenway Park Saturday.
We're in Syracuse now. Cleveland was an awesome experience, especially seeing the Victor Martinez-less Indians get owned by the Twins. The atmosphere in the Jake is absolutely dead. The fans there are hurting, to say the least.
Michelle just reminded me of the day before the Indians game, which was an Independent League match up between the Lake Erie Crushers and Kalamazoo Kings. This game, by contrast, was AWESOME. The crowd loves the team, which is made up of all types of players--from former major leaguers, to aspiring major leaguers, to guys who just love to play ball. The GM of the Crushers, who we met with before the game, came down to where we were sitting to hang out with the USM group, a really unique gesture that makes you feel that the fans matter as part of the picture.
We also got to see an A-ball club--the Lake County Captains (Indians affiliate) and got to walk out on the field. It was neat to get that perspective of a stadium.
Tonight we watched the Auburn Doubledays (Blue Jays affiliate) play at Falcon Park, another Class A club. It was the first extra-inning game we've seen, with Auburn winning when Vermont's 3rd baseman bobbled a grounder, sending in the run from 3rd.
So we go to Cooperstown tomorrow. It'll be my first trip to the Hall of Fame, so I'm pretty stoked. We'll be in Albany for the night, then on to Fenway Park Saturday.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Holy CRAP. We have been busy.
I feel bad to all of those who I told to follow my blog while on this trip, because I have been absolutely horrible in keeping up with it. My only excuse is that we have been sleeping about 5 hours a night before hopping back on the bus to another location. My apologies.
We're in Cleveland now, and we're camping out here for 3 days at the Hampton Inn Downtown, right near Browns Stadium. Yesterday, we went to PNC Park in Pittsburgh to watch the NATIONALS (yes i cheered for the Nats) beat the Pirates 5-3. It is an awesome ballpark, very intimate, clean, and spacious. Too bad the Pirates suck so bad.
Going back a day, on Saturday, we drove from Allentown to Washington, DC to attend the SABR conference (Society of American Baseball Research) and listen to a panel of former Negro League Players, including Peanut Johnson, the only woman professional ball player in history. We got to do some touring around the city, and even though I've been there 30+ times, it never gets old. Look for pictures on the 'book soon.
That's the abridged version of what I've been doing. I have to go get ready for my book presentation on Juiced with my group (we're going to act a scene of Canseco getting injected...this should be interesting). Meeting's at 8:00, gotta go.
We're in Cleveland now, and we're camping out here for 3 days at the Hampton Inn Downtown, right near Browns Stadium. Yesterday, we went to PNC Park in Pittsburgh to watch the NATIONALS (yes i cheered for the Nats) beat the Pirates 5-3. It is an awesome ballpark, very intimate, clean, and spacious. Too bad the Pirates suck so bad.
Going back a day, on Saturday, we drove from Allentown to Washington, DC to attend the SABR conference (Society of American Baseball Research) and listen to a panel of former Negro League Players, including Peanut Johnson, the only woman professional ball player in history. We got to do some touring around the city, and even though I've been there 30+ times, it never gets old. Look for pictures on the 'book soon.
That's the abridged version of what I've been doing. I have to go get ready for my book presentation on Juiced with my group (we're going to act a scene of Canseco getting injected...this should be interesting). Meeting's at 8:00, gotta go.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Iron Pigs Rock, DC will be warm.
Allentown is fun.
And the Iron Pigs are cool.
Especially when Pedro Martinez is pitching on his rehab assignment. It was my first time ever seing Pedro pitch, about 5 years removed from his last year on the Red Sox.
He got the loss, allowing 4 earned runs over 5 innings pitched (he ran into trouble in the 5th).
But it was still cool. Coca Cola Stadium in Allentown is one of the nicest ballparks I have ever been to, major league or minors.
Look for some pictures being posted on facebook soon.
And the Iron Pigs are cool.
Especially when Pedro Martinez is pitching on his rehab assignment. It was my first time ever seing Pedro pitch, about 5 years removed from his last year on the Red Sox.
He got the loss, allowing 4 earned runs over 5 innings pitched (he ran into trouble in the 5th).
But it was still cool. Coca Cola Stadium in Allentown is one of the nicest ballparks I have ever been to, major league or minors.
Look for some pictures being posted on facebook soon.
Road Entry #1: Early Baseball Memories
It may not be that big of a deal to others, but the earliest and most prominent baseball memory from my youth happened when I played in little league in Freeport.
It was an inter-town league, playing with and against friends from school, and the league’s community reached to our parents, siblings, and family friends. Often, one of our parents would either coach or umpire games. One day, the ump didn’t show up for the game, so my dad volunteered.
Now, naturally I thought I would get a break at the plate because of this. So I decided I would not swing at anything unless it was right down the middle of the plate, an obvious strike, and I could just get on base the easy way. But my dad, who has always been a professional at anything he does (even when it came to my baseball games), was not fooling around.
In my first at bat, I followed my game plan. No swings.
Bad idea.
Three straight strikes later, I was back on the bench and feeling like an idiot because my dad just wrung me up looking
In my second at bat, I was so pissed off about what happened earlier that I decided I would swing at anything. I was never a good hitter and, 3 straight swinging strikes later, I was back on the bench again. This was getting a little ridiculous.
By that point, I was so discouraged that I was completely out of the game mentally. But my coach gave me one last at bat—against my will—and reluctantly walked back to the plate for my 3rd at bat.
This time, I just looked for a pitch, and swung at it. I made good contact, but it was a pop fly to right field. So my dad gave me no breaks, I was 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and a fly out. That’s my earliest baseball memory.
It was an inter-town league, playing with and against friends from school, and the league’s community reached to our parents, siblings, and family friends. Often, one of our parents would either coach or umpire games. One day, the ump didn’t show up for the game, so my dad volunteered.
Now, naturally I thought I would get a break at the plate because of this. So I decided I would not swing at anything unless it was right down the middle of the plate, an obvious strike, and I could just get on base the easy way. But my dad, who has always been a professional at anything he does (even when it came to my baseball games), was not fooling around.
In my first at bat, I followed my game plan. No swings.
Bad idea.
Three straight strikes later, I was back on the bench and feeling like an idiot because my dad just wrung me up looking
In my second at bat, I was so pissed off about what happened earlier that I decided I would swing at anything. I was never a good hitter and, 3 straight swinging strikes later, I was back on the bench again. This was getting a little ridiculous.
By that point, I was so discouraged that I was completely out of the game mentally. But my coach gave me one last at bat—against my will—and reluctantly walked back to the plate for my 3rd at bat.
This time, I just looked for a pitch, and swung at it. I made good contact, but it was a pop fly to right field. So my dad gave me no breaks, I was 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and a fly out. That’s my earliest baseball memory.
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