And win I did, catching three over my first four opportunities.

You’ve been a great audience. Good night!

I kid, of course. For all we are saying good night to right now are my innate narcissistic tendencies. I’ve got plenty more to include on Gwinnett’s Coolray Field — a truly beautiful facility that offers beaucoup amenities and plenty of room in which to move.

It is also offers one of the best sandwiches you’ll find anywhere: the Knucksie (named in honor of Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Neikro). It was created by executive chef Blake Stembridge, who is “Pro Chef II Certified”. I don’t know what that means, exactly, but I believe this fact illustrates the G-Braves’ proclivity for transcending expectations. Yes, I know I’m a sycophant by nature, but Coolray Field is really and truly an outstanding Minor League Baseball experience.

So anyway, the Knucksie: “House smoked pulled BBQ pork piled high with pickle chips, caramelized onions, two kinds of BBQ sauce, and coleslaw, and served on a toasted corn muffin.”

I got one:

Now that I’ve talked about food and termites, let’s move on to the stadium itself. G-Braves general manager North Johnson gave me a tour, starting in a private drinking and dining section reserved for members of the “Home Plate Club” (a season ticket seating area located directly behind home plate).

One of the coolest things about the Home Plate Club is that it includes a window that directly looks into the batting cages. When I walked by, Freddie Freeman and Jordan Schafer were getting some work in.

Moving on, we checked out the home clubhouse and weight room:

Traveling upstairs, this area gives those watching the game from a suite the chance to eat, drink, and commingle:

The Best Seats in the House:

Suite Kitchen:

The production room featured some state-of-the-art equipment, which this photograph largely fails to convey. I do my best:

The scoreboard:

Those who work in Minor League Baseball are used to cramped working conditions, making the G-Braves’ digs capable of inducing considerable pangs of jealousy. Check out the break room and conference room:

There turned out to be an excellent crowd for Saturday’s game:

They watched the visiting Scranton-Wilkes/Barre Yankees edge the Braves by a score of 2-1.

But despite the disappointing result, there was plenty of entertainment to be had (like this between-inning contest in which the contestants had to play dodgeball after running a dizzy bat race):

Those in the crowded berm area didn’t seem to be paying too much attention to the game anyway, lounging on blankets while the kids played in the truly hallucinogenic inflatables:

Coolray really is a beautiful park. I was as smitten as a kitten in a mitten sitting with Donner and Blitzen on Thanksgiving.

And when sentences like that pour out of me unprovoked, I know it’s time to call it a night. After playing a little post-game “Launch-A-Ball”, of course:

 

Time to get a little sleep before hopping into the rented Mercedes with Texas plates and driving to Greenville.

See you there!

benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz