Tuesday, June 17

South Atlantic League All-Star game, NewBridge Bank Park, Greensboro, N.C. 

Arrived right at 5:15 p.m. as the home-run derby was just getting under way. Was blown away by the 'bigness' of the stadium. This may have been a South Atlantic League game but it sure didn't feel like one. You can watch the game from beyond right field  (some fans were hanging over the outfield fence) or even purchase a berm ticket beyond left field. The seats in the stands afford you a nice view of the Greensboro skyline beyond right field. As usual, I had to sit behind home plate. Michael Burgess, the 2007 first-round draft pick who plays for Hagerstown, put on an awesome power display. Some of his jacks cleared Eugene Street beyond right field. Jesus Montero looked awesome, too, but couldn't come close to matching Burgess.

All the players signed as they walked back to the clubhouse. In the span of about 15 minutes I was able to get Hall-of-Famers Tony Perez and Andre Dawson on the sweet spot of balls (both had been named honorary managers for the game). I also nabbed Burgess (he's only in Low-A and already sporting an abbreviated "MLB" signature...I guess writing Michael Burgess just takes too long), Montero, and Jason Heyward. For some reason, pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, 10-1 with Asheville in only the first half, escaped me.  

A few more observations:

*The $4 Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, relatively fresh considering they were trucked in from a few blocks away, were a nice treat. 

*Dippin' Dots? You betcha. And they weren't prepackaged. In addition to vanilla and cookies and cream, Greensboro had a "Hopper Dots" flavor that I sampled. It was a mix of yellow, pink, green, and orange. It tasted mostly orange. A nice idea, sure, but I wouldn't recommend it. It sort of tasted like chewing a bunch of different-flavored gumballs.

*I loved the Miss Baby Ruth dog who took on the role of batboy. I still can't figure out how the dog was able to grasp the entire barrel of the bat in its mouth. It even went out to home plate every few innings with water for the umpires (it reminded me of the dog for the old Pompano Beach Miracle, the team that used to be owned by Mike Veeck). Burgess was playing catch with the dog after the game when it, to the delight of the crowd, decided to take a dump between home plate and the pitcher's mound.

*I liked the post-homer fireworks. I jumped out of my seat every time even though I knew they were coming. The postgame fireworks were a nice treat, as well.

*Was not impressed with the Sumo promotion. Seems teams continue this even though I would consider it outdated by at least 10 years. Was more impressed with the cockroach promotion. A member of the Greensboro Grasshoppers staff dressed as a cockroach and had to be swatted enough times until it 'died.'

*I'm starting to like the "Everybody clap your hands" cheer. Seems to have taken the place of "Let's Get it Started."

My favorite minor league park so far. This is what watching a baseball game in heaven must be like.