General Discussion

cachukis

(3,995 posts) Wed Apr 15, 2026, 07:44 PM 23 hrs ago

Minor League Baseball.

Just returned, after 6, 9 run fifth, from the Tampa Tarpons v Bradenton Marauders, Florida State League A Ball game at Steinbrenner Field, Spring Training site for the New York Yankees.
The crack of the bat, the clap of the ball in the catcher's mitt, the delayed call of strike by the umpire; baseball with 250 fans sharing a spring evening. Sat two tiers up, with scouts, on just right of home plate.
First time experiencing the strike zone challenge.
The umps were overturned rarely and by inches.
Watched 95 mph fastballs, a bases loaded triple and good, but some errored infielding.
BOGO night, ticks for two at $10.50. Hamburgers, 2, and two beers for $23.00. French fries and water for $11.00.
Great date night in real America.

13 replies

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Minor League Baseball. (Original Post) cachukis 23 hrs ago OP

Here in Wilmington, Delaware we have the Blue Rocks a farm team and we had some major league playe come down for rehab. Walleye 23 hrs ago #1

Impressive team this year. Kingofalldems 20 hrs ago #12

We need to get to a Flying Squirrels game. underpants 23 hrs ago #2

I liked going to the old stadium. Tommy Carcetti 21 hrs ago #8

I started getting into minor league baseball cloudbase 23 hrs ago #3

Try and catch around 10 Indianapolis games a season and everything you say is right on the money. 100 times more fun Cheezoholic 22 hrs ago #4

Played some semi pro in the 70's. Guys from cachukis 22 hrs ago #5

We're losing our minor league team...but then we're getting the Athletics. pecosbob 21 hrs ago #6

Bummer. Bigs are now a money machine. cachukis 21 hrs ago #7

Last year that was actually a major league park. Tommy Carcetti 21 hrs ago #9

Tickets before Rays were around $5.00. cachukis 20 hrs ago #11

Rays games at Steinbrenner were tiered by premier cachukis 20 hrs ago #13

Nice! I enjoy it too. Drum 20 hrs ago #10

Walleye

(45,065 posts)

1. Here in Wilmington, Delaware we have the Blue Rocks a farm team and we had some major league playe come down for rehab.

Reply to cachukis (Original post)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 07:50 PM

23 hrs ago

I used to love to go to their games when I was working for the paper and shooting pictures of it. They let me stand practically anywhere. and it is very good baseball

Kingofalldems

(40,324 posts)

12. Impressive team this year.

Reply to Walleye (Reply #1)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:15 PM

20 hrs ago

Gotta get up there this summer.

underpants

(196,804 posts)

2. We need to get to a Flying Squirrels game.

Reply to cachukis (Original post)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 07:53 PM

23 hrs ago

New stadium. Always a fun time.

Tommy Carcetti

(44,559 posts)

8. I liked going to the old stadium.

Reply to underpants (Reply #2)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 09:55 PM

21 hrs ago

The Diamond.

Felt like a major league ballpark in miniature.

cloudbase

(6,286 posts)

3. I started getting into minor league baseball

Reply to cachukis (Original post)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 07:58 PM

23 hrs ago

when I was on a shipyard project in Mobile, AL. $7 got you the best seat in the house at Hank Aaron Stadium, and they didn't bend you over on the concessions. Since I'm going to be in Dayton in May, I've got tickets for the Dayton Dragons at Day-Air Field. Will be in Chicago the next day for rivalry weekend at Rate Field. Then it's back home to Houston.

Cheezoholic

(3,776 posts)

4. Try and catch around 10 Indianapolis games a season and everything you say is right on the money. 100 times more fun

Reply to cachukis (Original post)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 08:24 PM

22 hrs ago

than a pro game IMO. Plus these teams put on some crazy ass promo's at times to fill the seats. Minor league Hockey the same. If you've never REALLY heard a stick hit a puck you'll jump out of you're seat. And body checks? Sounds like a smash up derby. Also in both, you can hear all the vocalizations of the players in the games which I really find fascinating (and have to cover some young ears occasionally lol)

cachukis

(3,995 posts)

5. Played some semi pro in the 70's. Guys from

Reply to Cheezoholic (Reply #4)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 08:30 PM

22 hrs ago

Canada who played for Montreal but couldn't make it on the 8k to 10k they were payed.
Lucky to play with some great players who missed out on expansion.

pecosbob

(8,422 posts)

6. We're losing our minor league team...but then we're getting the Athletics.

Reply to cachukis (Original post)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 09:47 PM

21 hrs ago

Hope I can afford to go to a game.

cachukis

(3,995 posts)

7. Bummer. Bigs are now a money machine.

Reply to pecosbob (Reply #6)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 09:52 PM

21 hrs ago

Minors, a minor money machine.
The last throwback to a way it was.

Tommy Carcetti

(44,559 posts)

9. Last year that was actually a major league park.

Reply to cachukis (Original post)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 09:57 PM

21 hrs ago

The Tampa Bay Rays were temporarily relocated there after Hurricane Milton damaged their home ballpark Tropicana Field.

I wonder if they charged the same prices for a game then?

cachukis

(3,995 posts)

11. Tickets before Rays were around $5.00.

Reply to Tommy Carcetti (Reply #9)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:14 PM

20 hrs ago

Concessions are much higher. Hamburger, warmed, but good. 250 in attendance.
Great field to watch a game. Hear it all without too much fanfare.
Safety nets more prevalent.
Right down the street from where I live.
Used to watch the Tarpons at Al Lopez Field when some of my condo neighbors played.
Reds stars played there for years. Saw them in 80's.

cachukis

(3,995 posts)

13. Rays games at Steinbrenner were tiered by premier

Reply to Tommy Carcetti (Reply #9)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:21 PM

20 hrs ago

opponents. Red Sox and Yankees were $125 in grandstands. Think they got to 13k for a full house.

Drum

(10,709 posts)

10. Nice! I enjoy it too.

Reply to cachukis (Original post)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:07 PM

20 hrs ago

I used to live in Coney Island (NYC) two blocks from the minor league park of a Mets affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones (named after the classic old roller coaster there.) The rows only went A to R I think, not a bad seat in the house and tickets were very inexpensive. And there were fireworks after Friday night games!

Nowadays I spend time a bit upstate, and go to a park up near Beacon NY to see the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees adjacent) and it's just the best time. Solid ball being played, and likewise the admission and concessions are very reasonable.

In both places, the culture is also so fun. There are cute little contests in between innings, dancers, T-shirt cannon, all that. I love it.

Thanks for your post, which has reminded me to get there soon and enjoy some games. Play ball!

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