Since today's promotion was half-price burgers, Mitch and I follow the local crowd to the burger stand at the back of the concourse at third base. The lines are long, but that's to be expected for half-price burgers.
Plus, waiting in line presents opportunities for conversation. A friendly woman behind us notices our UBT schedule and chats with us. We talk about our trip, about Rosenblatt Stadium, about her granddaughter, (one of the school children who sang an energetic rendition of the Star Spangled Banner).
Weekday day games at every park draw busloads of school-age and pre-school children. This was no exception.
We take our burgers and fries (and craft draughts) to our bleacher seats beyond the left field fence, where we sit among various school groups. Apparently, part of their ticket package includes hot dogs, because their daycare teachers were handing out loads of warm wrapped dogs from large cardboard boxes.
By the time Xavier Nady homers to give the Storm Chasers an early 1-0 lead, the sun shines brightly, reflecting off the bleachers. Memphis Redbird Jamie Romak ties it in the 4th with his own long ball. I'm a little sorry that Oscar Tavares is still hurt, but the level of talent and Major League experience on both teams impress.
The Family Fun Zone, which seems to accompany all Major and Minor League parks these days, remains active to our right, beyond several picnic tables. There's also berm seating in both left and right fields past our "Fun Porch" bleachers.
Ryan Jackson doubles to greet reliever Donnie Joseph to lead off the visitors 6th. Brock Peterson singles him home with the final run. The 2-1 final represents UBT 2013's first home team defeat.
A crisply played, sun-filled Game One of today's doubleheader allows for a more leisurely drive to Game Two.
Brian Williams
From Deep Short
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