On the Road 2018, #3: Sweating in the South
I will be embarking on five Minor League road trips in 2018, my ninth season of ballpark travel. By the time the season ends, I will have made a professional visit to all 159 active Minor League stadiums. #BenEverywhere
As I’ve mentioned before, my primary goal this season was visiting the four Minor League ballparks to which I’ve not yet been. Two of them are in this itinerary: Osceola County Stadium (Florida Fire Frogs) and brand-new SRP Park (Augusta GreenJackets)
Beyond that, this trip is chock full of interesting teams operating on interesting nights:
Sweating in the South
7/13: Florida Fire Frogs (vs. Daytona Tortugas, 6:31 p.m.)
Promo: TBD
Previous visit: First visit! (I visited the Brevard County Manatees in 2015; the Manatees relocated to Kissimmee following the 2016 season and became the Fire Frogs.)
7/14: Daytona Tortugas (vs. Bradenton Marauders, 7:05 p.m.)
Promo: “The Big Shellbowski” Big Lebowski Night
Previous visit: 2012, when Daytona was in its antepenultimate season as the Cubs. Prior to the 2015 season, they became a Reds affiliate and changed their name to the Tortugas.
7/15: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (vs. Biloxi Shuckers, 3:05)
Promo: “Words with Fans,” featuring Scrabble theme jerseys and Scrabble champion Will Anderson attempting to set the record for most games of Scrabble played at once.
Previous visit: 2015, when the team was in its final season of Bragan family ownership and penultimate season as the Suns.
7/16–17: Augusta GreenJackets (vs. Rome Braves, 7:05, 12:05)
Promo: Christmas in July (July 16th), Super Splash Day (July 17th)
Previous visit: 2013, at the team’s former home of Lake Olmstead Park.
7/18: Charlotte Knights (vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 7:04 p.m.)
Promo: Ben Hill Night (I assume)
Previous visit: 2014
7/19: Asheville Tourists (vs. Greenville, 7:05 p.m.)
Promo: Playing as the “Asheville Hippies” on “Thirsty Thursday.”
Previous visit: 2013
7/20: Johnson City Cardinals (vs. Bluefield Blue Jays, TBD)
Promo: Ben Hill Night (I assume)
Previous visit: 2016
The Rationale
- As I mentioned previously, the Florida Fire Frogs and Augusta GreenJackets are two of the four teams I’ve yet to visit.
- The Daytona Tortugas and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp have both rebranded since the last time I visited, and both teams are staging a significant theme promo when I’m in town.
- As for Charlotte, I was there in 2014 but I have faith that my time with them will not be redundant.
- Asheville’s McCormick Field is one of my favorite ballparks, so I jumped at the chance to make a return visit (and during “Hippies Night,” no less).
- Yes, I was in Johnson City in 2016. But I was there for a rain out. Since I’ll be in the general area, I figured a shot at redemption was in order.
What About It?
What would you like to see from my coverage of these teams? What should I know going in? I try to remain amenable to new angles and different ways of doing things, so whether you’re fan or front office please get in touch if you’ve got something to suggest.
Designated Eater?
For the fifth consecutive season, I’ll recruit Designated Eaters at most locations that I visit. Their job, of course, is to consume the ballpark cuisine that my gluten-free diet prohibits. Stay tuned next week for a post about how to become a Designated Eater at one of my 2018 ballpark stops.
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