Sailing the Ship

Posts Tagged ‘baseball’

With America in a tough economic situation, and the Rust Belt states faring even worse, citizens of this country are spending less and less each day. Among the things that they are cutting back on are sports. There is no pressing need for tickets to hockey, soccer, or even football games when you need to worry about car and house payments. Yet, somehow, in all of this, attendance at baseball parks has soared. Even the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park, who were the first team eliminated from the playoffs, are still selling out. It can not be because the games are more compelling (they are not) or because there are better stories – it must be for some other reason.

Normally, I get into Columbus Clippers games for free, as I am a member of the press. I pay for parking, but then get a free seat with a good view, free food, and free drinks. Except when I was writing my article about Huntington Park, I never really thought about the cost of going to a game. Last night, however, my father and I headed out for a night on the town, and I realized exactly how great Minor League Baseball really is.

My dad and I pulled up to the park, and paid to leave our car on some pavement – $3. We then got some decent seats in the reserved sections – $12. Next, we grabbed a hot dog each – $6. Finally, as my dad doesn’t drink, I grabbed an icy-cold beer to quench my thirst – $6.50. All together, we spent $27.50 for the night. That’s right, in a large city, a father and son can have a great time out for less than $30.

Then it hit me: this is why people come to the ballpark, even with the economy in the dumps. While tickets cost a lot more at bigger parks, the small parks around this country are easily affordable, and they offer great entertainment. Where else can you got for just $9 (assuming you bring in your own food) and watch some amazing plays and games? The parks are one of the best values for your dollar in today’s America.

Not only do you get this slice of American culture for relatively little money, you also get a slice of the local culture. Every ballpark has its own history, story, and aura. Here in Columbus, we ring cow bells to celebrate our team. In Cleveland, some guy beats on bass drums. All over the country, each and every ballpark has traditions that are native and unique to them. Going to those fields lets you experience a little bit of Americana.

Now, some people might complain about the pricing of food, the location of parking, and a whole slew of other things, but they really are missing the larger picture. Baseball is America’s game, and it is something that our culture is in love with. While prices might be more expensive on the inside than the out (I agree, cotton candy should never be $4.50), the overall trip to the park is well within the family budget.

I really think that Minor League Baseball is one of the great activities for the American people. It allows us to go out as families, friends, and couples, and cheaply enjoy a fun and exciting game. Furthermore, most stadiums offer special deals and discounts, helping to eliminate the costs and strains to your wallet. Finally, almost all Minor League Parks let you bring in your own food and (non-alcoholic) drinks, which means that you can attend a game for next to nothing. So, grab your kids, your coworkers, or that special someone and head to your neighborhood ballpark today!

Today, the Cleveland Indians bought out the contract to three former Clippers, moving them up from AAA ball to the majors.

Michael Brantley,who is tied in the IL stolen base race with 46, was called up. He was batting .267, had six home runs, 37 runs batted in, and scored 80 runs.

Pitcher Jose Veras was also called up. Veras had been in Cleveland before, but was sent down last month. He was 0-1 in seven games with a 1.29 ERA and nine strikeouts in seven innings.

The final person pulled up today is Carlos Carrasco.  This RHP is 5-1 with a 3.17 ERA. This is in six starts and currently Carrasco leads the IL with 148 strikeouts in 157 innings pitched.

Tonight, the Columbus Clippers won in a close game against the Louisville Bats, 5-3. The Clippers started it off, when they scored twice in the first. They then scored twice in the third and once more in the seventh. Louisville answered with a run in the fifth and the sixth. With one run scored in the 9th, Louisville failed on their attempt at a rally.

This was the 3rd in in the last 10 games for the Clippers, and the 11th in the last 15. Unless they go 6-3 for the rest of the season, they will have the lowest record ever in Columbus history. Additionally, they are now the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs this season. This makes them 54-79, putting them at dead last (of 4) in the International League West.

Michael Brantley was the only Clipper to hit a home run, his 6th of the year. Nobody got one for the Bats.

LHP Travis Wood got the loss, making him 4-2 for the season. LHP Chuck Lofgren got the win, making him 6-9 this year. RHP Frank Herrmann got his 6th hold and RHP Greg Aquino got his 15th save.

Tomorrow night, the Clippers will remain in Louisville to play the fourth, and final, game a 4-game series against the Bats. The Clippers currently lead the series, 2-1. The Clippers are also on an 8-game away trip, which they are losing, 3-4. The game will be played at 6:15.

The Game –Tonight, the Columbus Clippers are traveling to Slugger Field to take on the Louisville Bats at 6:15.

The Stats –Today’s game will be the third game of a 4-game series between the two teams. All four games will be playing in Louisville. The series is currently tied at 1-1. This is also the seventh game in an 8-game road trip for Columbus; they are behind on the trip, 2-4.

Columbus is 53-79, putting them at last (of 4) in the International League West. Louisville is 77-55, putting them in first (of 4) in the International League West.

Starting Pitchers – Tonight, the Clippers will be sending LHP Chuck Lofgren (5-9) to the mound. Lofgren has been struggling this entire season. The Bats will be answering with LHP Travis Wood (4-1). In his entire career, Wood has never pitched against the Clippers before.

Notes –Since Andy Marte left earlier this season, the Clippers are a dismal 8-23. Thankfully, however, he is helping out in the Bigs, so not all is lost.

Jordan Brown is currently 2nd place for the batting title in the IL, hitting .335. Kevin Russo is currently leading at .336. This is a very tight race, and I will be sure to keep track of it for you.

Unless the Clippers go 7-3  for the rest of the season, they will have the lowest record ever in Clippers history.

Columbus is the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs this season.

Good Luck Boys!

Tonight, the Columbus Clippers lost in an easy victory for the Louisville Bats, 10-4. The Clippers started it off, scoring once in the first. They then scored twice in the fourth and once more in the ninth. Louisville quickly answered, as they scored three times in the first, and once in the second. The Bats then moved on to score twice in the fifth, once in the sixth, once more in the seventh, and finally, twice in the eighth. Columbus never really had a chance.

This was the 8th loss in the last 10 games for the Clippers, and the 12th in the last 15. Unless they go 7-3 for the rest of the season, they will have the lowest record ever in Columbus history. Additionally, they are now the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs this season. This makes them 53-79, putting them at dead last (of 4) in the International League West.

Nobody for the Clippers managed to hit one over the wall. For the Bats, however, Chris Heisey hit his 8th of the year and Juan Francisco hit his 5th AND 6th of the season. All were hit off of Hector Rondon.

RHP Hector Rondon was credited with the loss, making him 4-3 this year. RHP Federico Baez got the win, making him 1-1. RHP Ramon Ramirez got a hold, his 4th of the season.

Tomorrow night, the Clippers will remain in Louisville to play the third game a 4-game series against the Bats. They are currently tied in the series, 1-1. The Clippers are also on an 8-game away trip, which they are losing, 2-4. The game will be played at 6:15.

The Game –Tonight, the Columbus Clippers are traveling to Slugger Field to take on the Louisville Bats at 7:05.

The Stats –Today’s game will be the second game of a 4-game series between the two teams. All four games will be playing in Louisville. The series is currently lead by Columbus, 1-0. This is also the sixth game in an 8-game road trip for Columbus; they are behind on the trip, 2-3.

Columbus is 53-78, putting them at last (of 4) in the International League West. Louisville is 76-55, putting them in first (of 4) in the International League West.

Starting Pitchers – Tonight, the Clippers will be sending RHP Hector Rondon (4-2) to the mound. Though he has not pitched long for the Clippers, we expect him to be sent up to Cleveland soon. The Bats will be answering with LHP Tom Cochran, who has no record.This is the AAA debut for Cochran as well.

Notes –Since Andy Marte left earlier this season, the Clippers are a dismal 8-22. Thankfully, however, he is helping out in the Bigs, so not all is lost.

Jordan Brown is currently 2nd place for the batting title in the IL, hitting .334. Kevin Russo is currently leading at .336. This is a very tight race, and I will be sure to keep track of it for you.

Unless the Clippers go 7-4  for the rest of the season, they will have the lowest record ever in Clippers history.

Columbus is the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs this season.

Good Luck Boys!