Two Big Games Night: 'Fish vs. Pride!
June 28, 2005 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
There's a spot on I-91 near New Haven that's referred to as "Fogarea" because there's a big sign on the interstate that says "Fog Area". Anyway, Fogarea last night was at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Just after we had gotten through the rainiest and coldest spring ever, the fog rolls in and a key game against the Nashua Pride gets suspended in the 7th inning due to the heavy fog. Geesh! And they coulda, shoulda called the game after the fifth inning (when we led 3-1) or after the sixth inning (when we led 4-3). Instead, the umps waited until the first uncatchable fly ball was hopelessly lost in the fog. That fly ball happened to knock in the tying run in the seventh, so we start at 5:05 PM in a resumption of the suspended game, before the regularly scheduled 7:05 PM game. From our friend "Dirty Rich" Elliott, we learn that our center fielder Rolo Avila has begun referring to Bridgeport as "Gotham City" because this season it has been so dark and dank at the ballpark. Until now, that is. For some unfathomable reason, we have played terribly whenever two games have been scheduled in one day. Our record so far in this situation is 2-7, whereas we are 27-21. Go figure.
So come on out tonight and tomorrow night. With 12 innings of ball tonight (starting at 5:05 PM), and nine tomorrow night (starting at 7:05 PM) against the team (the Nashua Pride) ahead of us in the Northern Division, you'll have a grand opportunity to see some terrific baseball, in games that may ultimately decide the first half championship!
Offie's up! The Atlantic League is often referred to as "the Spare Parts League" in recognition of how our players are often picked up by major league organizations after injuries are incurred on the big league roster. Though indirectly, that's how former Bluefish all-star Jose Offerman was brought up to the New York Mets this week. Mets first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz was placed on the DL list when he tore his right hamstring while in the on deck circle (weird?). Offie had previously been playing for the Norfolk Tides, the Mets' AAA affiliate, and was called up to replace Mientkiewicz. He had been hitting .167 in six games so far in Norfolk. He had been released earlier this season by the Philadelphia Phillies where he started the season.
Brian Costello, a reporter for the New York Post, wrote an interesting article in yesterday's edition of that newspaper. It was all about Long Island Ducks reliever John Rocker not being ready to give up, despite some rather unimpressive first-half statistics pitching for the Ducks (6.50 ERA with 28 walks in 18 innings). Rocker actually told Costello last Thursday that he planned to play through the end of the Atlantic League season. Then, later yesterday the Ducks putout a press release announcing that Rocker was leaving the club. If you go to Rocker's own web site (www.johnrocker.net), here's part of a statement you'll find there: ""I have elected to take a step back and reevaluate the options available to me. I would like to thank the Long Island Ducks organization for the opportunity they've given me to help me reestablish myself as a Major League pitcher. I would also like to offer a heartfelt thanks to the Long Island fans for being so supportive and accepting. The warm welcome I received here on Long Island went beyond all my expectations. I also appreciate my long-time fans who have supported me through my website, and with their prayers." We wish him well.
Thank you, Sacred Heart University! SHU has just inked a new five-year deal with the Bluefish securing their tenancy here at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard (where they play all their home games) through the 2010 season! They will also retain their large 8X24 billboard on our outfield wall!
This past weekend, this editor, my wife, and my 11- and 12-year old boys went to Lancaster, PA to see the new Clipper Magazine Stadium, and to watch our beloved Bluefish take on the Barnstormers in a big five-game series. Of course, as luck would have it, we attended two of the five games, and the Bluefish lost them both, one a squeaker (2-1), and the other a drubbing (15-3). We won two of the other three games, including a thrilling 8-6 ninth-inning come-from-behind victory, but we missed those games. Anyway, I am delighted to report that the Barnstormers have a beautiful ballpark that has not been "value-engineered" in any way. When I mentioned that to our former merchandise manager, John Farrell, who has the same job there, he commented, "It's amazing what an extra $9 million will do."
Here are a few observations about what I feel make the Clipper Magazine Stadium so special: You can walk all the way around the ballpark from the inside, including the entire outfield area. In right field, the picnic (marina) area is exceptionally nice with individual counter seating overlooking the right field fence (in addition to picnic tables). There is plenty of grassy area seating in the outfield and along the left field line (especially convenient for overflow crowds, and there were over 7,000 fans there for the Friday night game). There are plenty of "inflatables" for kids, and even a rock-climbing wall ($3 for all night on the inflatables; an extra $3 to climb the rock wall). There are "alcohol free" seating sections within the park, a great idea that is certainly feasible if you start your inaugural season with such an arrangement. The upper floor suites area in incredibly plush, with all the 20 skyboxes sold out for the next ten years. Not everything is perfect though. For instance, the Ballpark at Harbor Yard has a lower crosswalk in our bowl area, which allows for far easier movement around the ballpark. The "Clip" has no such lower crosswalk. The orientation of the field also leaves something to be desired since the sun sets over the left center field wall and shines into the where most of the fans are seating. Until the sun actually set, it was difficult to look out and stare into the sunset. Overall, though, the ballpark is a magnificent new addition to the Atlantic League, and the team has been averaging well over 5,000 fans per game, even though the Barnstormers have had the worst record in the league. It is also noteworthy that the Lancaster County area is surely worth a visit with its beautiful farm country, and Amish heritage everywhere evident. We also took in a grand stage production entitled "Ruth" (a biblical story) in the 2,000-seat "Sights and Sounds" Millennium Theater in Strasburg, PA, only a few miles away. So we didn't see the Bluefish win, but we did enjoy the hospitality of the Barnstormers, we toured a pretzel factory, ate "shoo-fly" pie, and shopped in an Amish village. A pretty full weekend some 200 miles from Bridgeport!
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Atlantic League Stories from June 28, 2005
- Dorsey takes Game One, Sharks take second - Long Island Ducks
- Bluefish lose to Pride, now winless in four - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Patriots fall short in 8-7 loss to Bears - Somerset Patriots
- Bluefish hunted by Nashua, 5-4 - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Two Big Games Night: 'Fish vs. Pride! - Bridgeport Bluefish
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