Go West

Sunday afternoon, June 2, 2013

Another ballpark where we've now enjoyed baseball. Another big home team victory.

Mitch and I leave Target Field to begin our three-hour journey to Fargo, North Dakota. You may be wondering how Fargo made it onto this itinerary.

As much as both of us have traveled, neither of us had ever set foot in either of the Dakotas. The Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks would add another ballpark to our list of "been theres" and we're excited to see them play.

But there's also a very important historical baseball reason. More on that in the next post.

The sun remains before us as we drive westward through Minnesota. 30 minutes prior to sunset, we cross the Red River into Fargo.

Paradiso Mexican Restaurant adjoins our hotel parking lot, providing the perfect venue for Red Sox-Yankees Sunday Night Baseball (and rain delays). The tasty food and Dox Equis Amber top off a terrific UBT Day Two.


Brian Williams
From Deep Short

We're Back

“How do you pronounce ‘Tomah,’ Wisconsin?” Mitch asks the woman at the hotel front desk. “TOE’-mah” comes the reply. “Hell, if you live here.”

Seems quaint and peaceful enough to house the tripsters for the first night of UBT; plus, we always enjoy a fine sense of humor. Besides, Tomah, with its forests, farms and wooden lodges, gives us a jump on getting to Minneapolis when the gates open at Target Field. Sunday, June 2, features a 1:10 start to wrap up the Mariners series.

It isn’t that we’re any more eager to see a new Major League ballpark. It’s just that there's more square footage to explore than in the more intimate venues.

We arrive soon after the gates open, but do we enter? Not on UBT. We take a stroll around the outside of the ballpark, which unveils several treasures: banners of many key Twins players over the years hang neatly on a fence toward a construction site; statues of the most highly regarded Twins dot the landscape at various gates; and, families are everywhere.

Today's giveaway? A Josh Willingham jersey for the youngsters. We see lots of cute young fans, from infants to Little Leaguers, donning them throughout our stay.

And, it's good they have that extra layer. A stiff breeze accompanies the bright sunshine all day.

Our seats are second deck in the shade in right field. Folks are wrapped in blankets.

After an inning or two, Mitch and I begin our trek around the inside of this fairly new park. It reminds me somewhat of Nationals Park, but is less conventional.

Nooks and crannies and small, exclusive sections dot the various tiers. Open concourses can accommodate large moving crowds.

One can enjoy the action all around the park on both levels as there's plenty of room behind the seating. That's our mission the remainder of the game. Areas in the sun feel most comfortable.

I'm not sure if the wind assisted, but the home team launches four bombs to back Scott Diamond in a 10-0 shellacking. Mitch and I don't believe the wind is a factor for any of them.

As the game winds down, we're in center field, where a friendly usherette directs us to get our "First Time at Target Field" certificates. A pleasant couple asks about our trip. They notice our next destination, their home town.


Brian Williams
From Deep Short

Utlimate Baseball Trip - This is Still Day One?

Our next official stop is a parking lot in Madison, WI. After listening to some Saturday afternoon MLB games, this is where UBT13 baseball truly begins.

We exit toward a sandlot ball field where a couple of youngsters have a pre-game catch. Families picnic and relax beneath the trees.

Mitch pulls two tee shirts from a box. Tees with a baseball logo on front and game schedule on back are UBT tradition since our very first trip.

Folks approach the wearer, both on and even well after UBT, to ask questions and validate our obsession. We hear a lot of "I always wanted to do that." As you'll continue to read, Mitch and I don't just want.

Turning behind us, we soak in the Duck Pond, aka Warner Park. As we approach the entrance, we feel an energy that never dissipates throughout our incredible evening.

The LaCrosse Loggers and Madison Mallards line up on each baseline for pre-game. The area behind the concourse is packed with a variety of concessions and paying customers.

Northwoods League college wood bat baseball is alive and doing quite well in Madison, averaging 6,200 energetic fans per game. Tate Matheny (Mike’s son), a freshman at Missouri State, roams the Mallards outfield.

Mitch and I soak in a quick top of the first from the concourse railing behind home plate. As we prepare to head for our seats, an usher notices the UBT itinerary on our backs.

Chris Burwell, the usher, takes us aside. More UBT magic.

Following a quick introductory chat, he has someone that he wants us to meet. Who’s talking with a sponsor a few steps away? Steve Schmitt, the Mallards friendly owner, who quickly asks Chris to grant us VIP treatment. General Manager, Conor Caloia, also stops by for an introduction.

Chris carefully fits Mitch and me with wristbands and shows us upstairs to a sprawling deck behind home plate called the Tricor/West Bend Club. We enjoy the game, conversing with other fans and staff, and the goodies from here until the final out is recorded in the Mallards’ easy 9-1 win.

Brian Williams

From Deep Short

Ultimate Baseball Trip 2013 - Day One

Waking up in Tomah, Wisconsin - Part Deux

Seven minutes into UBT13, we get a flat tire. Besides an occasional cranky laptop, this is the first mechanical challenge on one of these trips. Apparently, we were overdue.

We never submitted resumes to Daytona, but we’ve done this before. Except, never on a busy highway entrance ramp with a rusted post holding the spare captive. After just under a two hour delay, the proverbial tarp comes off and we're back on the road.

Our first destination? Paul’s Family Restaurant in Elgin, IL. As you can imagine, we enjoy unique experiences on UBT, so I point out to Mitch a certain sandwich I espy on the menu: apples, bacon and cheddar cheese on multi-grain toast. Both of us plan to concoct these tasty treats at home. After all, it's the simple things in life, right?

Our first “official UBT” destination? New Glarus Brewing Company in New Glarus, WI. Before and after miles of farmland is nestled a large, almost fairy tale-esque building with a gift shop, tasting room, self-guided tours and a patio.

The building and fairly large stone parking lot come into view as you wind back a lane, hidden from the two-lane highway. I believe I saw more people there than at O’Hare. At least I saw more people having fun on that patio on a beautiful sun-filled afternoon. Black Top IPA tops my list of offerings. (If this were a beer-tasting blog, I’d share more about their various styles. Suffice to say our first cold pints of UBT13 lead to a pair of souvenir glasses. Hey, it's their 20th anniversary.)

Brian Williams

From Deep Short

Ultimate Baseball Trip 2013 - Preface

Sunday, June 02, 2013 - Waking up in Tomah, Wisconsin

First of all, a warning: this series of posts isn’t within six degrees of our Senators baseball (or even Kevin Bacon) connection. However, it has everything to do with our passion for baseball.

Our story begins in the Harrisburg area, on a “Field of Dreams” baseball diamond, where I met Mitch Mansfield. With both of us playing doubleheaders in throwback wool uniforms on a 90-degree June day, we discovered that we share a passion for the game beyond what may be considered “normal.”

Fast forward past many collective baseball experiences, including breakfast with a Hall of Fame pitcher, rubbing mud on the official baseballs prior to a single-A game, and annual baseball-themed trips. Granted, lots of fans enjoy a leisurely baseball weekend in an away city. On a scale of 1-10, we crank that volume knob up to 11.

Mitch has carefully organized each one, usually attending five games in five days in five different cities. He’s even tossed in a day in Cooperstown and All*Star baseball tournaments with trophies and prizes. We’ve had as many as twelve participants, but only three consistencies: Mitch, baseball and me.

Usually, without any prompting or planning, something magical happens on these trips. The aforementioned invitation from the umpires in South Bend, Indiana to rub up the game balls qualifies as a prime example. As of yesterday, we stick another baseball memory in our hip pockets.

As you continue to read, you'll realize that we've ripped off the volume knob this time. That's one reason only the trio of consistencies could manage an excursion of this magnitude. This year's journey covers many, many miles and nine ballgames in eight cities in eight days. Fairly aggressive itinerary, even for us, yet we've tossed in a couple of baseball-related museums just to prove we're off the charts.

Planning and logistics have ended. Mitch picks me up at O’Hare before 9 AM.

 

Brian Williams

From Deep Short

Parallel Thirdbasemen

I'm thrilled for Anthony Rendon and his first taste of the bigs. What little time I've spent around the young man results in a very high opinion - and I'm not just talking baseball skills.

At our annual Senators Welcome Back dinner, Anthony and Sean Nicol were seated with one of our Little League teams. Both took the experience in stride and even enjoyed conversing with the young ballplayers, who were thrilled to interact with professionals. A fun, memorable time was had by all.

Although I'm not quite finished enjoying his on-field skills at Metro Bank Park, I wish Anthony the very best. Of course, I wasn't ready to let go of Ryan Zimmerman when he left City Island after a few short weeks either, but that's the way of it. That's also why we need to truly appreciate the time we have while these players demonstrate why the club thinks so highly of them.

In fact, both thirdbasemen have followed a similar path when it comes to the DL. Both have the skills to project high ceilings at the top level. (Ryan has already proven he's worthy; Anthony showed his mettle during spring training.)

Both are also outstanding young men. Here's to their health, so we can continue to enjoy both players' talents at any level.


"From Deep Short"

Easy as 1, 2, 3

Three short months from this very night, we'll settle into our seats at Metro Bank Park. Another memorable Welcome Back dinner will have commenced 24 hours earlier, signaling that the team, the coaching staff and the Senators front office are all excited to begin a new season.

We'll glance up at the giant video board to see Brian Goodwin at the top of the Senators' lineup. Anthony Rendon will settle into the three hole and man the hot corner as the Nats' #1 prospect. (Goodwin's #2 on that list.)

We look forward to cheering for a healthy Destin Hood. Could Michael Taylor, fresh off celebrating his 22nd birthday near the end of Spring Training, be promoted to the Senators outfield, too?

I believe we'll enjoy watching the talents of a younger team full of potential major leaguers this season. That may be why the Nationals didn't hesitate to part with some prospects to shore up the roster in DC.

We need only get through three cold months. 1, 2, 3. But the days are getting longer. And soon, the migration to Florida and all points of the World Baseball Classic will begin.

Can't get here soon enough for me.


Brian