America's pasttime: a local experience you are missing

I am constantly working on review ideas for this blog, but every so often one comes to me that is a "I need to write this now." While it has been nearly a year since my last post (where did the time go?), I find that my "write this right now" post takes us back to the ballgame. As you know, I love baseball and I always find myself on a quest for a great ballpark experience.

Last night, we had a family trip to John Thurman Field to support our local Minor League team: the Modesto Nuts. When we moved to the Central Valley in the mid-1990s, they were known as the Modesto A's as they were affiliated with the Oakland A's. They changed affiliation to the Colorado Rockies and became known as the Modesto Nuts. Peanut, the elephant, was replaced by Al and Wally (an almond and a walnut respectively) who were later joined by Shelly (a pistacio). This season brought about another change for our hometown team. They are now affiliated with the Seattle Mariners. As we watch Big League games with Colorado Rockies star Charlie Blackmon who once played in Modesto, we now have a new local affiliation. That's ok. They remain our hometown team.

Last night, they welcomed the San Jose Giants. You would think a game such as this would draw a crowd. Think again. As we arrived about a half an hour before the game, parking was a breeze. At first I was thankful.  Then I wondered if the game time had changed. We walked through the gate with ease and getting our food took almost no time. It became obvious that turnout was low, but only when we entered the stands did it become obvious how low. The entire left field side was near empty. In over 20 years of attending games at John Thurman Field, never had we seen such a low attendance. We have a mini-plan for the second year in a row and our seats are right along the third baseline.

The Sunday before Fourth of July probably means many people have left town, but it still seems more people should have turned out for this game. Where were you last night? You weren't at John Thurman Field and you missed a great night of baseball.

If you have never attended a minor league game, you should. It provides some of the best baseball you can find. If you have never attended a Modesto game, you definitely should. Why should you?

1. Parking costs just $6 and gets you right up to the ballpark. The parking staff is always courteous and helpful. (Sidenote: handicapped parking has no charge.)

2. You always get a program and it includes pages where you can keep score.

3. Ticket prices are very reasonable. Our miniplan is one of the most affordable investments in baseball I make each year and it guarantees we have tickets for some games each season. Extra bonus: if we have trouble making a game work, generally, we can exchange our tickets for a game more accommodating to our schedule. The miniplan includes tickets for five games.

4. The food! Menu items include standards such as hot dogs, peanuts, and Cracker Jack, but also chicken strips, pulled pork sandwiches, french fries, corn dogs, and so much more. They have ice cream and cotton candy. They have Slush Puppies, 7-Up and RC soda varieties, and a wide beer selection for the over 21 crowd.

5. See the next rising star or better. You never know when you may be watching the next Charlie Blackmon. You also have a shot at seeing a Major Leaguer on a rehab assignment. A few years ago we caught Pablo Sandoval on rehab in Stockton when the San Jose Giants came to town. Last night, Madison Bumgarner made a rehab start with the Sacramento Rivercats and on Wednesday he is scheduled to make a rehab start with San Jose. Mike Trout is making a rehab start this week with Inland Empire and in mid-June Hisashi Iwakuma made a rehab start with Modesto.

Tonight, I suspect the crowd will be much larger at John Thurman as they have their Independence Day fireworks show slated for after the game. If you have never been to a game, get out to one. If you go, but have missed a quiet Sunday afternoon game, try something new. Let's fill the stands, folks. Last night we cheered for both our hometown team and the minor league affiliate of our favorite MLB team both. We got great baseball, folks. Hits, catches, base running, and good pitching. Plus, you get an up close view of it all. The players are so much fun to watch as they interact with each other and with fans after the game.

One last bonus: The Modesto Nuts run a summer baseball camp. It moved from June to July this year, so it is coming up next week. It is so much fun for the kids! Speaking of the kids, if you make it to the end of the game, there may just be a chance for kids to run the bases. Another fun experience for them!

Take yourself out to the ballgame and cheer on our local team. Baseball is America's pasttime and we should preserve it. Apple pie, lemonade, baseball. Get out to a game. Fill the stands. And, go Nuts!