Tagged: Los Angeles Dodgers
No rain, is our gain!
Great Lakes Loons vs. Lake County Captains (Midwest League)
Dow Diamond-Midland, Michigan: Despite having plans to attempt another Lugnuts game in Lansing, the weather report prompted the kids and I to head south over the weekend a little early to avoid the storms. Our journey took us to Midland, Michigan to attend a pair of Great Lakes Loons games, and I’m pretty sure we made the right choice! The weather was a little cool, but with not rain and sunny skies, it was fine for us. After the rain-outs earlier this month, is was just nice to watch baseball and get these first games in. The kids were happy that their Papa was able to make it over to the game, too. Brian headed right for Lou E. Lookout (playground) and the mascots Rall E. Camel and Lou E. Loon entertained the kids throughout the game. It was a fun game to watch, and good to get the first one in for the kids and I.
Brian with Rall E. Camel
The game itself was a solid pitchers duel, with the score 0-0 going into the seventh inning, with Jharel Cotton getting the start for the Loons against the Lake County Captains. The seventh inning started off good for Great Lakes, as top prospect Corey Seager shot a single to right field. He then advanced to second on a nice bunt by Pat Stover. Outfielder Jeremy Rathjen then scorched a single to score Seager and give the Loons the walk-off victory! A great way to start the season for us, and a nice win for the home team.
Dodgers #3 prospect Corey Seager
Lou E. Loon!!!
Final Score: Loons 1, Lake County Captains 0
Photos property of Minoring In Baseball
Loons set Opening Day Roster
After looking at the Loon’s opening day roster, it looks as if they have a pretty talent laden team. Manager Razor Shines, who has one of the coolest names in baseball, should have a successful season leading his charges at Dow Diamond. The team seems to have a pretty good mix of young talent and they return eight players from the 2012 roster. Possibly the player Loons fans may be most eager to see play, is infielder Corey Seager. The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ top pick of the 2012 draft, 18th overall, Seager will play his first pro season for Great Lakes. He’s ranked by Baseball America as the Dodgers’ 3rd best prospect, is the first position player since James Loney (2002) to be a first pick for L.A. With this assignment, Seager becomes the highest drafted position player to ever play for the Loons. He joins five other prospects currently ranked by Baseball America on the Great Lakes roster. Pitching prospects include Scott Griggs (ranked 18th), Zach Bird (19), Angel Sanchez (25), outfielders James Baldwin III (22) and Jeremy Rathjen (29). Baldwin and Griggs are two of the returning players, as well as pitcher Ralston Cash, Daniel Carela, Arismendy Ozoria, and Miguel Sulbaran, catcher Tyler Ogle, and outfielder Davin Shines, son of manager Razor. Sanchez also played for the Loons back in 2011. Also joining Shines in the dugout, are pitching coach Bill Simas and hitting coach Mike Eylward. The Loons open their season at home on April 4th, hosting the Fort Wayne TinCaps. I expect to see some great games between the Loons and Whitecaps this season, as both organizations have their games on the MiLB.tv network. Less than a week away from the season’s start, it already looks like it could be a very entertaining one, if mother nature ever decides to stop punishing us. With another blanket of snow dumped on us, and blistering cold wind, it seems more like December 1st than April 1st…I guess the joke’s on us here in Michigan.
Photos courtesy of the Great Lakes Loons
We’re tiny, we’re toony, we’re all a little Loony…
Great Lakes Loons vs. West Michigan Whitecaps
Dow Diamond–Midland, MI: For a little early holiday, the kids and I headed down state to Midland to see the West Michigan Whitecaps on the road taking on the Great Lakes Loons. The kids have never been to Dow Diamond until now, so it was a special game for them! It was the annual ‘Bark in the Park’ event, so fans were able to bring their dogs to the game. We don’t have a dog, but since Brian was on a leash, we figured it was close enough! They had dogs performing tricks between the innings, too, and the kids couldn’t stop laughing after one of the canines did his, uh, ‘business’ right on the field. The poor grounds crew was kept pretty busy! The kids were able to meet the mascots Lou E. Loon and Rall E. Camel, so they were really happy with that. Dow Diamond sports a really nice playground, too, so that kept them busy for a while.
The game itself was a quick one, and the Whitecaps’ bats were a little sleepy. In fact, the Loons had a no-hitter going into the eight inning until Steven Moya broke it up with a base hit. The ‘Caps would only manage one more hit in the 1-0 loss. A little frustrating, since they beat the Loons 8-5 the night before, and the night after. Before the game, we ate at Logan’s Roadhouse, and my steak burger and chili was some of the best I’ve ever tasted! The kids loved eating peanuts, and throwing the shells on the floor, too. Nice touch, imo. Despite the loss, we still had a great time, and will probably try to get to another game here soon, or next season. Our next game planned is Star Wars Night at the Traverse City Beach Bums. Final: Loons 1, Whitecaps 0.
No dog, but Brian did his best impression!
Whitecaps dugout
Lily and Brian with Lou E. Loon!!!
Tons of scouts at the game. They say Brian is a five-tool ballplayer…
Photos property of Minoring In Baseball
Logo of the Month: Chattanooga Lookouts
Affiliation: Los Angeles Dodgers
League: Southern League (AA)
Home Field: AT & T Field
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Notable Alumni: Harmon Killebrew, Burliegh Grimes, Ferguson Jenkins, Trevor Hoffman, Adam Dunn, Pete Rose Jr.
Fun Facts: This franchise has been around since 1885 (that’s 124 seasons of Lookout baseball). The team played an exhibition game against the Yankees in 1931. At one point during the game, 17 year-old female pitcher Jackie Mitchell struck out Lou Gerhig and Babe Ruth. Just days after the game, MLB commisioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis voided Mitchell’s contract, stating the baseball was too strenuous for females. Mascot name is Looie. In 2009 the Lookouts won the Larry MacPhail trophy for best promotions by a Minor League Team.
Logo of the Month: Springfield Isotopes
League: ?? Double A
Home Field: Duff Stadium
Location: Springfield, ??
Affiliation: Capital City Capitals
Fun Facts: In the episode Hungry, Hungry, Homer, the Isotopes are believed to be relocating to Albequerque, NM. The franchise now exists there as a Triple A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Homer was the mascot for a short time during there winning streak in the episode Dancing Homer before being promoted to Capital City.
Notable Alumni: Flash Baylor, Fishbone Walker, Smash Diggins, Babe Ruth IV
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