Huntington Park, Columbus Clippers

Posted on 02. Jun, 2009 by Corey in All, General Baseball.

My pitching coach in Dayton, Tony Fossas, said I was crazy.  I get a rare day off from my job and I choose to spend it watching baseball.  Like being with the Dragons for 140 games isn’t enough.  I tried to explain to him that I love the game and could attend one every day of my life and be happy.  I do not think he really understood that as he stared at me with a weird look.

But what is even better than just attending any old game, is a game in a brand new stadium with great friends.  My long time buddy Dan and I headed to Huntington Park, to see the Columbus Clippers take on the Norfolk Tide.  Both are Triple-A teams for the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles respectively.  We were joined at the game by Ty and Jed.  Like I said, great weather, good food, nice stadium and terrific friendships.  Do not think it gets better than that.

The game was quite interesting as Columbus scored 11 runs in the bottom of the third to race out to a 15-0 lead.  They would hold on to win 16-3.  To top the evening off, Dan and I went to see Terminator: Salvation at the movie theatre.

I have TONS of pictures from the stadium, but will choose some of the more valuable ones to put up.  I will also put some game and stadium notes below.

Overall, I was very happy with this stadium.  The atmosphere was not the best, but the place is beautiful and attention to detail is pretty good as a whole.

GAME NOTES:

– The Columbus Clippers starting pitcher was Jack Cassell, brother of New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassell.

– Former Dayton Dragon Justin Turner, who was traded with Ryan Freel and Brandon Waring to Balitmore for Ramon Hernandez, was the starting second baseman.

– Former Cincinnati Red Jolbert Cabrera started at first.  Cabrera also rehabbed in Dayton last season for a week.

– Cleveland Indian Travis Hafner was rehabbing with the Clippers for his return to the bigs this week.

– Neither team had their names on the jersey’s.  Norfolk had orange tops with “pants up” like the Reds do.  The Clippers were in their home white uniforms and navy blue hat.

– A decent, but no where near sold out crowd on hand.

– The promotion for the game was $1 hot dogs, popcorn and small sodas.

– The Sugardale Hot Dog Race was won by Ricky Relish.

– Dayton Dragons Baseball Operations Director John Wallace was in attendance with his brother and even got a foul ball.

STADIUM QUIRKS:

– You can stand outside the stadium on the street in right field and look through the fence to watch the game.

– Once inside the stadium, you can not walk a complete circle, as there is no connection in the outfield.

– Bob Evans, Roosters and City BBQ are sold within the stadium.

– There is no upperdeck box seats in Huntington Park.  Just luxury boxes and a party deck.

– There is not a lot of room down the foul lines, especially right field. You could be standing in the stands and reach your hand over, almost being in fair territory.

– BATTLE OF THE SODAS went to Pepsi.

– A very small lawn is in left center, with bleachers being in left field.  There is also a party deck that someone rented out for a birthday party in left.

– The bullpens were very odd to me.  They are very close to the dugouts at when the pitchers warm up, the catcher is on the edge of the dugout.  All pitchers sit in the dugout with the rest of the team, something you rarely see in baseball.

– The AEP Power Pavillion in left field is very cool, as fans can walk up to each of the levels.  The middle level is a bar style atmosphere with the roof level being “Roosters” with a pretty big menu. There are also bleahers up there to sit on.

– Each seating section has the picture of a former Columbus ball player.

One Response to “Huntington Park, Columbus Clippers”

1. Corey says:

   June 15, 2009 at 10:24 am

   thanks…my mistake…i have changed it…