Charlotte Knights @ Indianapolis Indians
by ChicagoPete on Jul 25, 2010 7:30 AM CDT
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PrintWent to my first minor league game EVA at Victory Field last night. Few Impressions:
Nice park, seats are right on top of the field. Nice view of skyline. Good beer available, even the vendors working the aisles offer Sun King, a fine microbrew made in Bloomington. Major League prices, they wanted $6.50 per beer. Hot dog was solid, a good all beef dog that hadn't been boiled gray. And the onions at the condiment table were actually freshly chopped instead of a soggy mess - impressive!
The thing that surprised me the most is that the players are physically much smaller than major leaguers, bunch of sub-6' runts running around for both teams. Maybe they don't get fed well enough on their meager per diems. When they make contact it doesn't sound nearly as solid. Double plays aren't nearly as smooth. Huge gap in the quality of play between AAA vs MLB, IMO much greater than college football vs NFL.
You'll be happy to know that Ozzieball is alive and well in Charlotte, saw four bunts in less than 6 innings. And they all succeeded, that's petty good.
De Aza can fly, legged out a triple on a fly to right.
Torres started, which was a pleasant surprise. Got into one jam, and couldn't K his way out of it. Man on third no outs, and then a PB/WP, whatever, don't let that happen please. Flowers came out to talk with him, assuming he was saying my bad. My seats were behind 3B dugout so couldn't tell much about his stuff or Flower's agility (or lack thereof). Flowers walked once and K'd a couple times.
The legend Brent Morel was at 3B. I didn't see him make any plays. Biggest impression of him is that he's slight, he's going to have to hit the weight room if he's going to generate enough power to play a corner in the majors.
All in all in was a fun night, cheap and easy to get to. But if I need a baseball fix I'd prefer running up to Chicago or down to Cincinnati for the real thing.
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flowers struck out once and didn’t walk, he was hit by a pitch.
torres was charged with a wild pitch. how he gave up only four runs while walking seven and giving up six hits over 5.1 is certainly amusing. when torres is bad, he doesn’t do it half-assed.
as for quality, i watch it so you don’t have to.
on that last note, thanks larry :)
This is like having Marshall Faulk on your fantasy football team in 2000 and screwing up the rest of your draft to finish 7th.
by onlysoxfaninbasel on Jul 25, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
oh well, shows how closely we were paying attention
I didn’t notice Torres was pitching til the 4th inning.
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
by ChicagoPete on Jul 25, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
about that $6.50 beer
was it three floyds? better than goose island imo.
This is like having Marshall Faulk on your fantasy football team in 2000 and screwing up the rest of your draft to finish 7th.
by onlysoxfaninbasel on Jul 25, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Sun King Osiris
16oz’ers from a cold can, nice.
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
by ChicagoPete on Jul 25, 2010 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
never had the sun king
This is like having Marshall Faulk on your fantasy football team in 2000 and screwing up the rest of your draft to finish 7th.
by onlysoxfaninbasel on Jul 25, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
nice work, pete. never been to a minor league park before. i suppose i should keep that on the back burner.
Cashing checks and having sex. Also doing some light medical diagnoses.
As I say, it was fun
You won’t see great baseball, but that’s not how they market themselves anyway. Very family oriented, tee shirts thrown into the crowd every half inning. Goofy mascot theatrics every half inning, constant amusement and music during every break lest you contemplate the caliber of play too carefully. Pretty much a Bulls game – but outdoors.
Also correction – Sun King is brewed right in downtown Indianapolis. Upland Brewery is in Bloomington (also a decent craft beer). Sun King Osiris (american ale) is what they serve in the park, good stuff. If you’re in Indy and see if offered make sure you try it.
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
by ChicagoPete on Jul 25, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
minor league games are pretty fun
personally i like the level of play just fine. and usually beer isn’t that bad per pint. 6.50 is rough.
Fireworks: Bang?
Was that price just for the premium microbrew or for your standard Miller Lite style beer?
Reporter: I was wondering if at any point in my lifetime the Cubs weren't going to be run by a guy who didn't immediately remind me of failure, confusion, or imminent death
they'll get your money one way or another, 24oz domestic drafts are $6.25
Nice selection though, better than the Cell
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
The bartender even offers you orange slices - you stay classy Indy
The Sun King Osiris also has hints of orange and it isn’t a hop beast, good balanced summer beer. Was nice choice to offer at the ballpark, was so damn hot that the beer got warm pretty fast but was still palatable all the way down. 24oz of macro is going to make you wretch in that kind of weather unless you slam it fast.
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
dude, craft beers in the can is all the rage
It’s actually better for the beer than a bottle
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
Much list screw off tops with wine, there is a stigma of cheap that comes with cans.
"We can't do it easy. But we may as well do it high." -The Cheat
by South Side Expat on Jul 26, 2010 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
the experience at minor league games
in terms of non-game action, is almost invariably better than at a major league park. for reasons that should be fairly obvious.
happened to me last friday
When I was a kid, I didn't want to be a doctor or a fireman. I wanted to be Super Mario. It's the most literal pipe dream I've ever had.
it's all about how you bounce back.
Cashing checks and having sex. Also doing some light medical diagnoses.
you gotta ice him back, homey!
Cashing checks and having sex. Also doing some light medical diagnoses.
it's all you can really do
When I was a kid, I didn't want to be a doctor or a fireman. I wanted to be Super Mario. It's the most literal pipe dream I've ever had.
Also, what's the deal with the DH?
Indians are the Pirates AAA affiliate, and both teams were using the DH even though it was their home game. The pitcher’s don’t ever bat in the minors anymore or what?
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
pitchers only hit at the AA and AAA level when both teams are national league affiliates.
in the pacific coast league, it’s the above and if the teams want to use the DH.
aha
Would be cruel and unusual to bring them up to the majors w/o ever having faced live pitching.
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
by ChicagoPete on Jul 25, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
I enjoy it from a "I hate Mark Kotsay" standpoint.
And I say that full-well knowing that AJ and Jones suck balls.
"and to think that we're sex games over .500" - blackoutsox
by RWShow on Jul 25, 2010 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I enjoy it purely because Q is not in RF
and is actually DHing. Seriously, Ozzie, how bad is it to have Q be DH? He should be concentrating on batting not injuring himself in the outfield every week.
I see it's "no criminal record" night at the ballpark -- billyok before a game against the A's
I have witnessed the 2005 World Series championship, Mark Buehrle's perfect game, and the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup championship in my lifetime.
by chisoxfan1473 on Jul 25, 2010 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
he should not be in the field because his defense sucks, not for fear of injury.
I photoshopped a boner on the security guard but it's too dark to see --- billyok
yep
"from the Chi, the city of hella haters, where we keep rising to the top like elevators. Hi haters I'm back off hiatus." - grammy family
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jul 25, 2010 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Sadly
I see it's "no criminal record" night at the ballpark -- billyok before a game against the A's
I have witnessed the 2005 World Series championship, Mark Buehrle's perfect game, and the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup championship in my lifetime.
by chisoxfan1473 on Jul 25, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I totally agree
I don’t understand why Jones doesn’t start in RF against practically every pitcher who doesn’t have plus heat.
Is it because Q is “too intense” to DH?
Because Jones : Hitting :: Q : Fielding
EVERYBODY PICK US FOR 3RD OR 4TH SO I DINK WE DOIN POOTY GOO
Sox Machine
i enjoy from a imagine if it was bacon in the #2 slot standpoint
This is like having Marshall Faulk on your fantasy football team in 2000 and screwing up the rest of your draft to finish 7th.
by onlysoxfaninbasel on Jul 25, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
easy for you to say
I photoshopped a boner on the security guard but it's too dark to see --- billyok
i'm good with this line-up, if becks keeps it up, ozzie will have no choice but to push him up in the order
This is like having Marshall Faulk on your fantasy football team in 2000 and screwing up the rest of your draft to finish 7th.
by onlysoxfaninbasel on Jul 25, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I dislike teh Twinns in general
I see it's "no criminal record" night at the ballpark -- billyok before a game against the A's
I have witnessed the 2005 World Series championship, Mark Buehrle's perfect game, and the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup championship in my lifetime.
by chisoxfan1473 on Jul 25, 2010 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
charles barkley in the tbs booth. finally, he's breaking into other sports.
Cashing checks and having sex. Also doing some light medical diagnoses.
who's afraid of a large black man?
Not TBS.
They’re the funny side of the TBS/TNT partnership.
This should’ve happened a long time ago.
As soon as I read that I turned on TBS.
Barkley is the man.
Two games in this weather will cost me at least 4 chickflicks.
-Chicago Pete
He might not make a great Governor,
but I’ll listen to him all day long. He and Ernie are the Bob Culp/Bill Cosby “I Spy” tandem.
Its sort of a chess match right now but some upgrades are still possible with very little cost except money.
by Tdogg on Jul 23, 2010 10:13 AM EDT
zips projects
a 3.92 FIP from hudson the rest of the way, i find that a tad optimistic
This is like having Marshall Faulk on your fantasy football team in 2000 and screwing up the rest of your draft to finish 7th.
by onlysoxfaninbasel on Jul 25, 2010 1:54 PM CDT reply actions
me too!
This is like having Marshall Faulk on your fantasy football team in 2000 and screwing up the rest of your draft to finish 7th.
by onlysoxfaninbasel on Jul 25, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep
I see it's "no criminal record" night at the ballpark -- billyok before a game against the A's
I have witnessed the 2005 World Series championship, Mark Buehrle's perfect game, and the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup championship in my lifetime.
by chisoxfan1473 on Jul 25, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
With Inge,
we look pooty goo re: comps with the Tiggers. I’m headed to Tampa tomorrow night to scout them.
Its sort of a chess match right now but some upgrades are still possible with very little cost except money.
by Tdogg on Jul 23, 2010 10:13 AM EDT
good luck getting a seat :-)
FWIF on this date in 1983 the Sox were 1 game in first. They would begin their run at Tony’s wall. It still hurts.
Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!
Victory Field is solid
I’ve been up to Indy a few times for games (from Bloomington). Saw Richards pitch for the Knights two summers ago before he was called up.
Your obs about the quality of play is right in line with my experience. I suppose I just assumed it was because of the Pirates – but they’re always picking up new prospects every season as they trade away all their MLB talent to contention teams.
But the park is a lot of fun and best on Mon $1 menu night or Tues 2 tix-for-one, price-wise. Easy to get a nice seat right behind the plate (I like to err a bit down the 1st line). I havent done the outfield lawn, but I know people that pack their own cooler and have a blast out there when the weather is good.
Great sig. I can relate.
And I lived there in 1980, before all the improvements to downtown.
Its sort of a chess match right now but some upgrades are still possible with very little cost except money.
by Tdogg on Jul 23, 2010 10:13 AM EDT
yeah, he's got a fantastic sig.
Cashing checks and having sex. Also doing some light medical diagnoses.
by MarketMaker on Jul 25, 2010 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
my thoughts exaclty
simply stupendous!
something tells me even the mafia wouldn't call on greg walker if a hit was needed.
-MarketMaker
I've taken the wise counsel of Bobby Knight to heart
If rape is inevitable, just lay back and enjoy it
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
Rapier wit.
You will wear yourself out pouncing on my mistakes. Resistance is futile.
Its sort of a chess match right now but some upgrades are still possible with very little cost except money.
by Tdogg on Jul 23, 2010 10:13 AM EDT
Now I got a killer one, thanks.
"Great sig." - winningugly
Biggest surprise re Victory Field for me was...
No breaded pork tenderloins on the menu! WTF, this is Indiana c’mon
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
I suppose Indy still holds their nose a little higher
than the rest of the state… we’re proud of our breaded tenderloin and stromboli’s with sweet-n-sour pickles in the rest of the state.
The food at Victory Field is a weird experience for me – its completely without character. Growing up in Chicago I identify with the distinct Chicago flavors of Comiskey and even “the park that shall not be named where AAA masquerades as MLB.” Or I’ve been to Cinn or Cleveland or St Louis and pick up on that local vibe. Instead of embracing Indiana flavors, VF is decidedly standard and bland. But I think thats the experience theyre selling. “Kid friendly”, “fun”, non-threatening? Haha
Indy is the snob place?
I dunno, I’ve only been here two years. I thought it was vice versa, that Bloomington that felt they’re above the Hoosierness – college town and all.
I was also surprised by the food selection at the park, pretty generic offerings – you could’ve been anywhere in the country. From what I’ve heard minor league parks put a lot more effort into the food & drink than the majors. I mentioned the tenderloins in total non-snark mode. They should embrace their inner Hoosier, bring out the tenderloins and the corn on the cobs goddammit!
I don’t understand the whole restaurant situation in general. They’ve got great produce and meat being produced around here, but as in your words going out to eat down here is standard and bland. Especially relocating from Chicago. Plus this stuff is no bargain, our usual restaurant tab is the same as Chicago. Although I’ve heard there’s a few good restaurants in Bloomington, I’ll have to check that out.
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
by ChicagoPete on Jul 26, 2010 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
missed your last comment to me on saturday, pete. was out the door already. i may give my own recap of the game a shot.
also, i’m not certain what you expected the players to look like. (there is only one player on the knight’s roster listed as being under six feet tall.) maybe you just kept seeing akinori iwamura over and over and thought he was different players. ;-)
hey swisher...........you know.
Their roster is being awfully generous if they're listing a lot of these guys over 6'
My wife was the first one to point it out, “what’s going on, these guys are all a bunch of little shits”.
I am become Q! Destroyer of Worlds
by ChicagoPete on Jul 26, 2010 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
I can tell you right now that while Indy is in Indiana,
It’s a little different then the rest of Indiana. A bit less…Hoosierish if you will. Especially in the suburbs, it’s like you’re closed off from the rest of Indiana. I will never say Indy is better than Chicago, because quite frankly, it’s not even close. But I like my hometown of Carmel, just north of Indy, and I liked the city. It’s just very white-bread, and it feels like home. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing exciting.
Also, Indians games are fun, even if just for the environment.
Thanks alot for these ridiculous ticket prices, 2005.
by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jul 26, 2010 2:27 PM CDT reply actions
What's a Carmelite doing masquerading as a Sox fan?
You must be the only one in town, how’d that happen?
I am become q, fragile headcase
Born in Wheaton, lived in Valparaiso for awhile.
And yes, I was the only one. I’m here in Chicago now, it’s much better.
Time to call in the Q!avalry.
by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Jul 27, 2010 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
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