Tagged: Jacksonville

SUNSday baseball in Jax

Jacksonville Suns vs. Jackson Generals (Southern League)

17148118526_412fc48d08_zBragan Field/Baseball Grounds-Jacksonville, FL: We had such a great time at Friday’s game, we just had hit at least one more! Sunday games are great, as they’re usually earlier in the day, so we didn’t have to be worried about being too tired for training the next morning. Again we got tickets that day, right behind the Suns dugout this time. I have no idea why tickets are so easy to get (not that I’m complaining), or why there wasn’t more fans in the stands for a Sunday game. We got to the this game on time, and by that I mean about an hour early. Lucky I was able to meet a couple of the Sunbeams coming through the gate, as they were pretty rare throughout the game.

16940118638_bce5c57359_zAnother plus about being at the ballpark early, as that we had a chance to explore some and get some good photos. I was able to get a couple panoramic from the concourse above our seats, and from the outfield.

17172416102_14c0a6c80f_k17174050195_8353f7eef9_kIt’s always fun relaxing and watching the teams warm up, also. And of course Southpaw came to ham it up for the camera, also!

16966638037_8f581a2818_z17148107696_a77042f809_zIt was a beautiful day as the game started, and I caught a game ball which is simply the best souvenir in history. One more for the kids and I to add to our collection.

16507753633_67e6da9b23_z16553861673_d0be11f958_z16987863359_f56ee00459_zBetween innings, the SweetRight Brothers were on hand to entertain the kids. Since Brian wasn’t there, I really could have cared less, and would have preferred a performance from the Sunbeams. The kids in the crowd liked them, however, so I guess there are no complaints.

16987860569_be720816c7_z17148099016_f0b1a06094_zWe started to get a little rain about the fourth inning, but not enough to stop the game, or stop us from enjoying ourselves. I really give the Jacksonville organization credit for just playing through a little rain. The grounds crew did come onto the field and put dry dirt on the mound and batters box, but that’s about it.

17172375882_23a6a1758a_z17148081126_9d1bdb3e72_z16986493910_1c0cfac80f_zThe game was another solid one for the home team. At the plate, the Suns had production from Austin Nola, who went two for three and drove in three of Jacksonville’s four RBI’s. Also going two for three on the day was Kenny Wilson and catcher Sharif Othman, who pushed across the Suns’ other run. On the hill, Kendry Flores earned the win, going five innings and allowing only one run. The Generals made a game of it late, but Sean Donatello earned the save. Final: Suns 4, Generals 2.

17148070626_b75daf2734_z17173989765_a9519228c3_z16986470540_4fb0a37f85_zAnother great day of baseball, and I really missed the games here in Jacksonville. This team was really a big part of me being down here ten years ago, and it was good to get back to the Baseball Grounds. I waned to get one more game fit in before flying home, but the rain spoiled that.

17101951646_d37293c011_zHere’s another video from today’s game:

All photos and video property of Minoring In Baseball

No SUNShine in Jax

Jacksonville Suns vs. Jackson Generals (Southern League)

My first visit to the Baseball Grounds in ten years!

My first visit to the Baseball Grounds in ten years!

Bragan Field/Baseball Grounds-Jacksonville, FL: While in southern Georgia for some training for work, I took the opportunity to take in a ballgame or two in Jacksonville. This was my first Suns game since I was in the area for training in 2005. The ballpark hasn’t changed in a decade, as the Baseball Grounds are still a fantastic venue to watch a game.

16486021584_5a6278781b_z17107810201_eb3ede975f_zWe missed the first half-inning, due to our facility being about an hour north and having to get a car rented. I was surprised that there weren’t more fans at the game, and that we were able to get such good seats right behind the Jackson dugout. We didn’t miss too much of the action, however, as the Suns plated a run in the second inning, and never looked back.

17172463692_dd10da400f_z17172460262_c173ab28d0_z17172462272_ac562af432_zI was also introduced to the Sunbeams, something the organization definitely did not have ten years ago.

17174064925_a103933e1b_z17174067185_1c3ab9d814_z16986581150_65b9d4f1b5_zThe Suns were really playing good ball until we had a slight rain delay.

16987929179_1f0f523e6b_z16986347048_ea1ca2b647_z17172450912_96a7cd4c50_z17148164446_aceb8d88ae_zI used the rain delay to get a selfie with the Suns mascot, Southpaw, too! This definitely made Brian jealous back in Michigan, but I bought him a Southpaw souvenir, and we’re good. I really give the Jacksonville organization and the grounds crew credit, as the field was ready to go in under an hour.

My selfie with Southpaw!

My selfie with Southpaw!

17106950932_b949be7af7_zAfter the delay, the Suns kept playing well in victory. On the bump, Jake Esch earned the win with 5 1/3 innings of work. He only allowed three hits and struck out six, in a start they was cut off by the rain. The Suns bullpen pitched in after the rain, also with Blake Logan, Matt Tomshaw, and Sean Donatello helping secure the shutout. Offensively, Jax was led by Matt Juengel who went three for four with two RBI’s, and Austin Nola who went one for three with a home run and two RBI’s. Also pitching in: Kenny Wilson and Carlos Lopez, who each went two for four with an RBI respectively. Final: Suns 7, Generals 0.

17173476371_d7f8f4b2d9_z16551664254_a2455e7c34_z17148135646_cefb5c63ee_zA great game for the home team, and a little rain certainly couldn’t ruin our fun. So much fun, we came back for another game, so stay tuned.

Fireworks Friday, so we had even more entertainment after the game.

Fireworks Friday, so we had even more entertainment after the game.

And some video of the Sunbeams and the game:

All Photos and Video property of Minoring In Baseball