Patrick Cottrell Steals Second

Patrick Cottrell of the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays steals second base against the Fort Wayne Wizards in a game played tonight at Battle Creek's delightful C.O. Brown Stadium. This was one of the few plays which worked out well for the Rays in an extraordinarily bad ball game. Battle Creek's team lost by an 11-4 score and perhaps played even worse than that. Despite three errors, ten of the eleven runs were earned; that's quite an accomplishment....

Fort Wayne catcher Colt Morton--a huge person--chipped in a truly impressive home run that completely left the yard. Just thought it deserved mention.

Took a break from the Luggies tonight so I could visit the friends I mentioned a few days ago. The familiar drive to BC was pleasant--I've made the trip hundreds of times over the years--and the ballpark visit was fun despite the poorly-played game. Sat in my old seat (the box has been renumbered to 11), though my ticket was for another (in Box 10).

The team's made some interesting renovations: The box seats have been reworked (no longer are there side rails defining the sections; there is, however, now a rail at the screen), and there's a picnic area where the third base bleachers used to be. They've also named the picnic areas after Carl Pavano and Johan Santana, and the best seating area now sports Roy Oswalt's name--good moves, methinks.

The staffing seems improved, too, though it might just be that I prefer my ushers to be young women. They smile, they dance, they say hello. I approve.

The park's best feature remains the ballpark itself, though. This is a great place to watch baseball, even if it's not all fancy and new. And I'm hopeful about the new ownership.

Put in a bid on Matt Carson's jersey. Should know tomorrow if I won.

Original version of this photograph here.