Who's your team?

[Battra]

Who's your Frontier League team?

GATEWAY GRIZZLIES!

[go_rascals]

River City Rascals.

Tough one for your Grizzlies last night. Danny Cox had to be pulling his hair out.

[Battra]

Tough one both nights....last night's was harder though...I mean...

You have the bases loaded...and NOBODY out...ALMOST anything scores a run!! You can get two runs w/o even getting a hit!

Wed night though...even though the Rascals opened up a big lead, and battled back...that was really good I thought.

[rainking]

GO BOLTS!!!! they are going to take it all.

[Battra]

Now that's just silly.

We all know the Grizzlies are gonna kick it as FL champs!

[pubdef]

THE PAINTS

We may be a small town, we started it all. We may have a small stadium, but you should see our new turf.

Planning a trip out to River City/Gateway in July when Paints are out there, hope to see you all. Come see us in CHILLI

PUBDEF

[go_rascals]

I'll be in Chilli on the 9th to check out the new turf. Look for the fat guy in the Rascals jersey!

[Battra]

Cool! When you come down send me a PM! I'll show you around St. Louis!

[Paintsfan]

I'll be in Chilli on the 9th to check out the new turf. Look for the fat guy in the Rascals jersey!

I'm a Paints fan. Hi everybody!

I just came back from the game between the Rascals and Paints, and I saw you go_rascals down at the third base bleacher seats. I noticed at one point that you were taking pictures. I can't wait to see those pictures on your website! I really like your website. You do a good job of managing it. ;)

[Loaf31]

the Wild Things.....we may have started out slow, but its going to come down to the Wild Things and the Paints for the East Title this yr.

[Battra]

Well...we've all said hello.

Now what do we talk about? :)

[go_rascals]

Well...we've all said hello.

Now what do we talk about? :)

Now that the season's started I suppose we can talk about the action around the league. I always enjoy hearing news from other fans in the various cities.

In a couple of weeks it'll be time to start speculating about the all-star game.

[Paintsfan]

Now that the season's started I suppose we can talk about the action around the league. I always enjoy hearing news from other fans in the various cities.

In a couple of weeks it'll be time to start speculating about the all-star game.

The all-star game is coming up on July 12th at Bosse Field, home of the Otters. But that's pretty much a month from now, so on to other things.

I notice that the Beach Bums are gaining on the Paints in the East Division. They're now only two games back. I'm alittle bit surprised. As an expansion team, it takes time for the team to gel. Apparently, they've done that already. Though it is a long season, the standings may be upside down later on, I am impressed by what they've been doing. Nick Batkowski, Kevin White (both Rookie of the Year Award winners) and Mike Reese look like they're the leaders of the team.

[Battra]

What I like about the Beach Bums is what they're achieving off of the field. They're getting very nice crowds and that's great.

Healthy teams are always the best to have around! Anybody remember the Mid Missouri Mavericks...900 people a game.....yeeesh.

[go_rascals]

I'm actually in Traverse City right now. The Bums stuck it to my Rascals 4-1 on Tuesday and last night Ryan Gehring pitched a two-hit shutout. Aaron Ledbetter lost for the second straight time, allowing only an unearned run in the first but coming out on the short end of a 1-0 score.

[Battra]

Is the ballpark in Traverse City as cool as everybody says it is?

I've heard it's just awesome.

[go_rascals]

Is the ballpark in Traverse City as cool as everybody says it is?

I've heard it's just awesome.

Here's my thoughts that I previously posted on a different message board:

Physically, it's very nice. Blue-grey aluminum siding. It looks like a hotel
from the outside, definitely different from anything I've seen although I've
been told the ballpark in Frisco, TX is similar.

Inside it has a 360-degree concourse, the first in the FL. There are picnic
tables for rent on the concourse behind the box seats and also some bar tables with beach chairs, very resort-looking. The GA section is in the outfield grass;in fact there is a sign at the top of the grass that states "Lawn Seating". The upper level contains air-conditioned suites and the press area.

There is a video board that shows player pictures and such, but I was under the impression that you could see replays, but I guess that's not in place yet.

The concessions were interesting. They had some good local ice cream from Moomer's and pizza from Mancino's. The most intersting thing was pie. It was good but it was different to me to be enjoying a slice of cherry pie and a cup of coffee at a baseball game.

The biggest disappointment for me, of course, was the beer. There are the usual selection of Anheuser-Busch products, and Heineken, Corona and Labatt's in bottles. But with Mackinac Brewing and North Peak Brewing in Traverse City and a couple of other microbreweries in the area, I hoped for more.

For those of us with ties to the players, there is good news. The players and
coaches raved about the clubhouse and facilities, which are by far the best in
the league, and they were treated well by the Beach Bums' management. We were also treated well except for the upper level incident. One of the ushers made a point of asking us about our trip and suggesting some local attractions to check out.

Parking fee is $2 but you get coupons for free sodas if you come four to a car. Getting out was a pain, but apparently there are a couple of faster exits that I didn't know of.

The ball does not carry well at all. The field is about average size for the FL, 320 down the lines and 400 to center. Despite the almost constant breezes, the ball seems to hang up. It reminds me in that aspect of Marinelli Field in Rockford. Also, since it so far north, the sun sets late. The first base line runs west to east, meaning the rightfielder is staring into the sun until about the seventh inning. This will definitely be a pitcher's park.

The grandstand is pretty roomy. I suspect the place can hold about 7,000 if it's jam-packed.

In short, I think physically it may be the best ballpark in the FL. It definitely is for the players. But I still think the overall gameday experience is better at Gateway.

I have posted pictures on my site at http://flhistory.0catch.com/TraverseCityBeachBums.htm

[Battra]

Thanks so much for your insights!!!!!

I agree Gateway is the best. ^_^V

[go_rascals]

Got email today from the TC management. I may have inadequately explained a couple of things so I thought I'd share a bit with the rest of you:

"Ballpark (brand) hotdogs and Johnsonville brats are available, either steamed at the main concession stands or fresh off the grill on the satellite grills... And that's just the start. Add to that Cherry Chicken wraps and salads (both made fresh locally), pulled pork sandwiches and loaded nachos! Northern Michigan likes sweets; we have monster cookies, cinnamon bread nuggets with frosting for dipping and of course, fruit pies made from locally grown fruit and topped with freshly made Moomer's ice cream. Not Missouri fare, but certainly not generic either. Yes, we do have coffee -- freshly ground from Leelanau Roasting Company -- another local company. "

"Parking is $2 to encourage fans to carpool. Those that do and arrive four or more to a car are each given a coupon for a free 16 oz soft drink. Parking on the road is free. There are currently three entrances into the ballpark and two exits, (one, Heartland Drive to East Silver Lake Road, is closed at the end of the game). Please see aerial attachment: The main entrance (A) off US-31 and M-37 to Chum's Village Drive (you probably used this one). (B) there are two entrances that trunk into West Commerce Drive from US-31 South -- entrances are straight south of the park. (C) An entrance off East Silver Lake Road to Heartland Drive. East Silver Lake runs parallel to US-31/M-37. (D) The proposed continuation of Stadium Drive and out to Rennie School Road. "

"Our liquor license requires everyone in the suites to be a legal drinking age. The policy is strictly enforced by our local law enforcement agency and our first year out of the box we know we are under close scrutiny. The only way to ensure everyone is legal is to restrict access to the suites to individuals with suite tickets, or those with a media pass. It has nothing to do with keeping anyone away from the VIPs."

[Battra]

That's really cool. GCS Ballpark has some out of the way fare, the Best Burger, the Frozen Custard (that I won't eat as it's not Ted Drewes..haha), but nothing so localized as there.

That's awesome and that's the spirit of minor league sports if you ask me.

[Joe430000]

Don't count the Bums out, but the defensive play of the Wild Things has been great (Granstrand, Sidick, Werman - hope he recovers quickly) and with decent pitching, they certainly are looking good.

[Battra]

Don't count the Bums out, but the defensive play of the Wild Things has been great (Granstrand, Sidick, Werman - hope he recovers quickly) and with decent pitching, they certainly are looking good.

I wish the Bums all the best this year, and next, and well, every year after that. A new team in the low level minors has a tough road to hoe. So far they've been doing fairly well on the field, and that can translate to doing well at the box office. I want every team in the league to sell out every night! I also really like Traverse City's stadium..that is AWESOME! haha