To throw in my 2cents worth on minor league experiences, going to any level of Yankees games piques my interest — I look to see what ‘our’ youngsters have to show as much as to see a game. Closest is the home of the Staten Island Yankees, which is a beautiful little gem of a ballpark with bayview and ships passing as well as being new, clean, comfy, friendly and just a 20-min ferry ride away from Manhattan, plus a couple of blocks walk from the ferry terminal on the SI side. Anybody local who hasn’t been to a minor league game in a while, give it a try. The team often wins, and the local competition with the Mets babies (the Brooklyn Cyclones with their nice place in Coney Island) is fun — sometimes they even run a special ferry between the two for their games.

FWIW, the Yanks took 2 of 3 from the Angels earlier this year

cr1 wrote:

Angels have been killing us for the longest. I watch games with them like a driver looking at an accident on the highway, horrified but glued to the scene. However, today family plans will likely cut my viewing about halfway through. Trying not to believe that that will be for the best.

It is analogous to watching a train wreck/car crash isn’t it? Scioscia really knows what buttons to push when playing the Yanks, even though they have had their own injury woes. That team (and now this year the Red Sox) are the Yankees’ version of kryptonite. God forbid, if they have to face them in the first round or any round of the playoffs. Then again, remember how Detroit was supposed to be a soft touch, so one never knows with the playoffs being such a crapshoot.

Steve Lombardi wrote:

And, if I happen to be at the P.O., and there’s a game being played, I have to stop and watch a few pitches – even ‘tho I know nothing about the players and it’s just a H.S. game. (FWIW, I would probably stop and watch even if it was a pick-up game.)

I’ve done the same as well. Little league and pickup games too. Matter of fact, that’s how I was able to hook up with the New Rochelle Robins (collegiate division, Westchester Baseball Assoc) about 10 years ago. I was passing the field, and swung by to check out a couple of innings. I recognized a couple of players I had lost touch with, and caught up to them after the game. They introduced me to their coach, that got me a tryout, and eventually a spot on the team.

thanks steve, great input.

thanks raf. that’s what i figured. i’m sure that’s very much proportional with the level you’re seeing as well. AA trenton would be almost as interesting to me as going to a yankee game in terms of attention paid, interested to see all the prospects you watch in box scores everyday. not so much at indy ball i’m sure. would be interested to get your take as well steve.

@Pat F

Ditto what Raf said. It’s a combo thing. Since my kids are 5 and 7, there are times where I need to take them for a walk around the park, or something, where I then don’t get a chance to lock into the game. But, if they’re content, and I’m left alone to do my thing, I’m into the game – for basically “the four reasons” I highlighted the other day about what I enjoy most about baseball.

Then again, I’m a junkie. There’s a HS baseball field next to my local post-office. And, if I happen to be at the P.O., and there’s a game being played, I have to stop and watch a few pitches – even ‘tho I know nothing about the players and it’s just a H.S. game. (FWIW, I would probably stop and watch even if it was a pick-up game.)

We do get to at least four or five different indy/minor parks a year – because it’s cheap and fun – and probably see about six or seven games there a season. And, like I said, if given the chance, I get into the game. (We also end up rooting for the home team. The one exception will be next month when we go to see the Aberdeen Ironbirds host the S.I. Yanks, of course!)

I didn’t get to see my first minor league game until June 1999 – saw the Durham Bulls play in N.C. while on a business trip. But, that’s all I needed – and was quickly hooked. You just can’t beat the small ballpark experience.

Pat F wrote:

are you pretty in tune to what’s going on, or is it just sort of a laid back day outside at the park?

For me it’s both. I may make note of a top prospect, but for the most part, it’s a day spent @ the park. Which is always a good thing for me

steve question for you (that is sort of on topic!). it seems like you get to your fair share of these low level minor league/indy ball games, mostly with your family. so i’m assuming your primary purpose for going is that it’s a fantastic and reasonably priced family event, and the added bonus is that it happens to be baseball. that said, how much do you get to/choose to actually pay attention to these games? are you pretty in tune to what’s going on, or is it just sort of a laid back day outside at the park? just wondering as i have been to exactly one of these kinds of games in my life, 6 years ago now, and want to get a feel for what the atmosphere is like and how a fellow baseball nut approaches watching the game itself.

Angels have been killing us for the longest. I watch games with them like a driver looking at an accident on the highway, horrified but glued to the scene. However, today family plans will likely cut my viewing about halfway through. Trying not to believe that that will be for the best.