This is my hometown ballpark!

Ty Cobb · 06-10-2015, 08:48 AM

Just an idea—let's all post a few pix of our latest trip to our hometown parks so we can share the experience and feel of someplace far away.

I live about an hour from Wuerfel Park, located in Traverse City, MI. It's the home of the Traverse City Beach Bums (Frontier League). Last night, watched the Beach Bums carry a perfecto into the 7th, a no-no into the 8th, and ended with a 3-1 win over the Gateway Grizzlies. We've never had either a perfect or no-hit game here in TC.

As for the game experience: $10 for a game—my seats were 4 rows behind the dugout—(Tuesday night is twofer one night!), decent food, only $2 for parking, generally a soft breeze blowing in from Grand Traverse Bay (about 7 miles away) to keep it cooler, wider than usual seats—MUCH more comfortable than Wrigley, the staff is great, the players seem quite approachable, the mascots (SunTan and SunBurn) are entertaining, and you've got the usual assortment of between-innings minor league amusement. We all stand for the National Anthem and sing, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Veterans get recognized for their service. Area kids get drawn to throw out the first ball many days. This is still a family town, and it shows.

For those interested, 320 down both lines and 400 to dead center, wind generally blows in from center/left at 5-10.

David Watts · 06-10-2015, 08:52 AM

Man, do you live in Traverse City? Ugh, ready David read! You said you live an hour away. My aunt had a cottage on Duck Lake across from the Music thingy. Spent so much time there and in Traverse City as a kid. Last time I went back, 10 years ago, I couldn't believe how Traverse City has boomed. Wow!

Padreman · 06-10-2015, 09:06 AM

I was born in San Diego Californian but i spend some time and currently live in Tijuana, Baja California Mexico (both cities border each other) here are some pictures of a recent game of the Tijuana Toros. Name: image.jpg
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Padreman · 06-10-2015, 09:08 AM

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Padreman · 06-10-2015, 09:14 AM

Sorry on the iPhone it only lets me post one picture at a time per post. Some of the pictures were taken on my iPhone two on my buddies camera.
Here is a seating chart of the stadium
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Ty Cobb · 06-10-2015, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Watts

Man, do you live in Traverse City? Ugh, ready David read! You said you live an hour away. My aunt had a cottage on Duck Lake across from the Music thingy. Spent so much time there and in Traverse City as a kid. Last time I went back, 10 years ago, I couldn't believe how Traverse City has boomed. Wow!

15K living there now. You must have been back just as they were building the ballpark. I live in Grayling, and have a cabin in Benzonia. TC is having a few growing pains, but is still a beautiful area and a great place to go.

David Watts · 06-10-2015, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Cobb

15K living there now. You must have been back just as they were building the ballpark. I live in Grayling, and have a cabin in Benzonia. TC is having a few growing pains, but is still a beautiful area and a great place to go.

Going to be back home over the 4th of July weekend. Really wish I could get back up there. Hoping I can catch a Great Lakes Loons game while I'm there and we are going to the Tiger game on the 5th.

STeK · 06-10-2015, 01:11 PM

Piratas de Campeche vs. Tigres de Quintana Roo, Mexican Beisbol Spring Training game at Kino Park, Tucson, Arizona this past March. This is the former home of the Tucson Padres and before that the Tucson Sidewinders in the Pacific Coast League, been to hundreds of those games. Not to mention the former home of spring training for the White Sox before Phoenix stole them away.

Jorge Cantu at bat here, a well known major leaguer who is currently in free agency.

OakDragon · 06-10-2015, 01:43 PM

Funny you should mention it. I just went to my first couple of games of my local semipro team, the Humboldt Crabs, a few days ago. Here are a few pics from around the 'net. (Much better than I could take.)

General admission is $9 ($11 if you buy online), though they have discounts for seniors and kids. The way the field is usually set up, seating capacity is apparently a little over 1000 people, all in bleachers along the base lines. The dugouts are a little farther down the baselines relatively speaking than at ML parks. Past the dugouts, there are lawn areas that are apparently open for additional attendees at some games.

The local freeway borders the park, just outside the left field to center field wall. Home runs landing on the freeway are apparently not uncommon. Deepest part of the yard is in left center, 394 ft.

ThatSeventiesGuy · 06-10-2015, 02:41 PM

Ah, the good ol' Frontier League. I used to watch quite a few Evansville Otters and Dubois County Dragons games back in the mid-to-late '90s. Good times.

prisonerno6 · 06-10-2015, 05:00 PM

My hometown (Lafayette, Louisiana) had a minor league team (Lafayette Drillers) for just two years (1975-76) when I was an eight and nine year-old. I vaguely remember going to a few games in 1975 and watching Jack Clark play third base. The stadium is long gone but there is a site that has a few pictures of what the stadium looked like in 1976.

Clark Field - Lafayette Louisiana - Former home of the Lafayette Drillers / Oilers / RaginCajuns

r0nster · 06-10-2015, 05:49 PM

Been to Traverse City many times. Havent been there since I moved to Florida in late 2003. Based on your pictures of the crowd size I would say you had more fans in the stadium than 10 stadiums in Florida league. Yes not much of an exaggeration. Teams in Florida count themselves lucky if they get 200 people in the stands. Tampa is the one team on average that can crack 2,000 a game. I think 3 can crack 1,000 but the rest are fighting for fans. However if you go to the Midwest league at least half of the teams can crack 6,000 to 7,000 a game. Down here they make excuses for the lack of fan interests. Rarely do they promote the team or do anything fun at the games like they do at Grand Rapids or even Lansing. Been to both but West Michigan White Caps takes the top honors as the best all round fun.

ra7c7er · 06-10-2015, 07:35 PM

I haven't been to a grizzlies game in a while but GCS would be my local ballpark.

Personally I prefer semi-pro/minor league ball to the majors. I feel that way about a lot of sports though. Always seems like the guys are more passionate about the game.

OakDragon · 06-11-2015, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ra7c7er

Personally I prefer semi-pro/minor league ball to the majors. I feel that way about a lot of sports though. Always seems like the guys are more passionate about the game.

I was stunned how different a Crabs game was from a Giants game. I've long ago gotten tired of going to a game at AT&T Park. I get bored there somehow.

The semipro experience seemed like much more of a party atmosphere. Being much closer to the field made me feel much more connected, I guess. I can't wait to go back to another one.

ra7c7er · 06-11-2015, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padreman

]

Anyone else think this guy is a bit to good at his job. Even minor league vendors do it better.

Padreman · 06-11-2015, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ra7c7er

Anyone else think this guy is a bit to good at his job. Even minor league vendors do it better.

I wonder what he's looking at?

Ty Cobb · 06-11-2015, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padreman

I wonder what he's looking at?

I don't.

06-10-2015, 08:48 AM	#1
Ty Cobb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grayling, MI Posts: 3,950 Blog Entries: 66	This is my hometown ballpark! Just an idea—let's all post a few pix of our latest trip to our hometown parks so we can share the experience and feel of someplace far away. I live about an hour from Wuerfel Park, located in Traverse City, MI. It's the home of the Traverse City Beach Bums (Frontier League). Last night, watched the Beach Bums carry a perfecto into the 7th, a no-no into the 8th, and ended with a 3-1 win over the Gateway Grizzlies. We've never had either a perfect or no-hit game here in TC. As for the game experience: $10 for a game—my seats were 4 rows behind the dugout—(Tuesday night is twofer one night!), decent food, only $2 for parking, generally a soft breeze blowing in from Grand Traverse Bay (about 7 miles away) to keep it cooler, wider than usual seats—MUCH more comfortable than Wrigley, the staff is great, the players seem quite approachable, the mascots (SunTan and SunBurn) are entertaining, and you've got the usual assortment of between-innings minor league amusement. We all stand for the National Anthem and sing, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Veterans get recognized for their service. Area kids get drawn to throw out the first ball many days. This is still a family town, and it shows. For those interested, 320 down both lines and 400 to dead center, wind generally blows in from center/left at 5-10. Attached Images __________________ “What’s the most you ever lost on a coin toss?” “Everyone is an atheist until Templars begin marching in the rain.” Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder. It is usually futile to try to talk facts and analysis to people who are enjoying a sense of moral superiority in their ignorance.—Thomas Sowell "Alinsky works for me now."

06-10-2015, 08:52 AM	#2
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 8,880	Man, do you live in Traverse City? Ugh, ready David read! You said you live an hour away. My aunt had a cottage on Duck Lake across from the Music thingy. Spent so much time there and in Traverse City as a kid. Last time I went back, 10 years ago, I couldn't believe how Traverse City has boomed. Wow! Last edited by David Watts; 06-10-2015 at 08:55 AM.

06-10-2015, 09:06 AM	#3
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,140 Blog Entries: 1	I was born in San Diego Californian but i spend some time and currently live in Tijuana, Baja California Mexico (both cities border each other) here are some pictures of a recent game of the Tijuana Toros. __________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors Last edited by Padreman; 06-10-2015 at 09:08 AM.

06-10-2015, 09:08 AM	#4
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,140 Blog Entries: 1	__________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

06-10-2015, 09:09 AM	#5
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,140 Blog Entries: 1	__________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

06-10-2015, 09:10 AM	#6
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,140 Blog Entries: 1	__________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

06-10-2015, 09:11 AM	#7
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,140 Blog Entries: 1	__________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

06-10-2015, 09:14 AM	#8
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,140 Blog Entries: 1	Sorry on the iPhone it only lets me post one picture at a time per post. Some of the pictures were taken on my iPhone two on my buddies camera. Here is a seating chart of the stadium __________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

06-10-2015, 01:11 PM	#11
STeK Banned Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: in shell Posts: 38	Piratas de Campeche vs. Tigres de Quintana Roo, Mexican Beisbol Spring Training game at Kino Park, Tucson, Arizona this past March. This is the former home of the Tucson Padres and before that the Tucson Sidewinders in the Pacific Coast League, been to hundreds of those games. Not to mention the former home of spring training for the White Sox before Phoenix stole them away. Jorge Cantu at bat here, a well known major leaguer who is currently in free agency. Attached Images Last edited by STeK; 06-10-2015 at 01:14 PM. Reason: picture resize

06-10-2015, 01:43 PM	#12
OakDragon Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Jose, CA USA Posts: 3,495	Funny you should mention it. I just went to my first couple of games of my local semipro team, the Humboldt Crabs, a few days ago. Here are a few pics from around the 'net. (Much better than I could take.) General admission is $9 ($11 if you buy online), though they have discounts for seniors and kids. The way the field is usually set up, seating capacity is apparently a little over 1000 people, all in bleachers along the base lines. The dugouts are a little farther down the baselines relatively speaking than at ML parks. Past the dugouts, there are lawn areas that are apparently open for additional attendees at some games. The local freeway borders the park, just outside the left field to center field wall. Home runs landing on the freeway are apparently not uncommon. Deepest part of the yard is in left center, 394 ft. Attached Images Last edited by OakDragon; 06-10-2015 at 01:46 PM. Reason: removed a pic

06-10-2015, 02:41 PM	#13
ThatSeventiesGuy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 3,421	Ah, the good ol' Frontier League. I used to watch quite a few Evansville Otters and Dubois County Dragons games back in the mid-to-late '90s. Good times. __________________ https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...00&postcount=1

06-10-2015, 05:00 PM	#14
prisonerno6 Major Leagues Join Date: May 2014 Location: SW Florida Posts: 463	My hometown (Lafayette, Louisiana) had a minor league team (Lafayette Drillers) for just two years (1975-76) when I was an eight and nine year-old. I vaguely remember going to a few games in 1975 and watching Jack Clark play third base. The stadium is long gone but there is a site that has a few pictures of what the stadium looked like in 1976. Clark Field - Lafayette Louisiana - Former home of the Lafayette Drillers / Oilers / RaginCajuns

06-10-2015, 05:49 PM	#15
r0nster Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Been to Traverse City many times. Havent been there since I moved to Florida in late 2003. Based on your pictures of the crowd size I would say you had more fans in the stadium than 10 stadiums in Florida league. Yes not much of an exaggeration. Teams in Florida count themselves lucky if they get 200 people in the stands. Tampa is the one team on average that can crack 2,000 a game. I think 3 can crack 1,000 but the rest are fighting for fans. However if you go to the Midwest league at least half of the teams can crack 6,000 to 7,000 a game. Down here they make excuses for the lack of fan interests. Rarely do they promote the team or do anything fun at the games like they do at Grand Rapids or even Lansing. Been to both but West Michigan White Caps takes the top honors as the best all round fun.

06-10-2015, 07:35 PM	#16
ra7c7er All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,098	I haven't been to a grizzlies game in a while but GCS would be my local ballpark. Personally I prefer semi-pro/minor league ball to the majors. I feel that way about a lot of sports though. Always seems like the guys are more passionate about the game.