August Road Trip Plans
Finally, I’ve got the details of my next road trip for The Ballpark Guide all worked out, and I’m ready to share them here. While I realize that I’m always excited for each trip, this one will definitely be one to remember. Without further delay, let’s get to the details and I’ll provide some notes later on.
Wednesday, Aug. 15: Brooklyn Cyclones at Tri-City ValleyCats 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 16: Richmond Flying Squirrels at New Britain Rock Cats 7:05 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 17: Hudson Valley Renegades at Connecticut Tigers 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18: Futures at Fenway 1:05 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 19: Buffalo Bisons at Pawtucket Red Sox 1:05 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 20: Hudson Valley Renegades at Lowell Spinners 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 21: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Boston Red Sox 7:10 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Boston Red Sox 7:10 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 23: Connecticut Tigers at Hudson Valley Renegades 7:05 p.m.
– You’ll notice that unlike my last road trip, I’m visiting just one park per day. Although seven games in five days on my last trip was great, I found it to be just too rushed. Too many 4:30 to 5 a.m. wakeups, too many 1 a.m. bedtimes and even the occasional early departure from a ballpark to get to the next city. This trip is more systematic.
Game Notes:
– I’ve seen the Tri-City ValleyCats play at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium once in the past (also against Brooklyn), but I enjoyed the experience and given that it’s right on my way through to New Britain, I thought I’d stop again. The ValleyCats are currently 31-13, so they’ll be exciting to watch.
– Richmond and New Britain are the only two Eastern League teams I have yet to see, so their game on the second day of my trip will mean I’ll have seen every EL team dating back to 2010.
– My third game will be the first of four times I’ll see the Hudson Valley Renegades on this trip. Also, I love the Tigers’ logo and think I’ll buy one of their caps.
– The Futures at Fenway game is something I’ve wanted to do since I first learned of this unique experience. Two Red Sox affiliates play regular league games in a doubleheader. At 1 p.m., it’s the Short-Season A Lowell Spinners against the Hudson Valley Renegades, and following that game, it’s the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox against the Buffalo Bisons. So, I get to see two MiLB games in Fenway Park before I visit the park to see the Red Sox a few days later. Could it get any better?
– The game in Pawtucket is a continuation of the team’s series with the Bisons and it’s also Fan Fest, meaning there will be a ton of cool things to see and do.
– I’ve heard lots of good things about Lowell’s LeLacheur Park, so I’m definitely pumped to experience it. This game, like the one in Pawtucket, is a continuation of the Futures at Fenway series.
– I’ve always wanted to go to Fenway Park, but given that it’s the park’s 100th anniversary in 2012, I really wanted to make this the summer that I visited for the first time. I’m absolutely thrilled to be seeing two games and taking in all that is Fenway.
– After seeing them three times on this trip and four times total, I’ll finally get to see the Hudson Valley Renegades play a home game.
Other Notes:
– I plan to blog about a series of goals I have for this trip. I’ll likely put that together next week.
– As I mentioned in this blog post, I’m seeking feedback about the content you like to see on my trips. Please check out the post and leave me a comment here or there.
– If you plan to be at any of these games, get in touch with me through the comments section below, Twitter or email. I always like meeting readers and talking baseball/ballparks with you.
– Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. In July, I ranked 12th among the MLBlogs fan blogs. I was 12th in June and 11th in May, so I’m really hoping to crack the top 10 this month! If you enjoy reading, please share this blog with your baseball-loving friends.
– Please remember to check out The Ballpark Guide to help plan your own road trips and support mine at the same time. Your visits help support my travels.
– If you don’t already, please follow me on Twitter, as I’ll be Tweeting throughout my trip and sharing lots of Twitter-exclusive photos.
The Ballpark Guide 
Malcom,
I’m going to be at the Angels /Sox Game on the 22nd. i’ll probably be hanging out by the camera well on the centerfield wall for BP. if you are wondering what I look like, check out zack hample’s posting about the helicopter stunt. I’m the big guy in the pictures who coordinated it. i’d like to meet you as i really enjoy your blog.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the note. I read Zack’s blog about the helicopter stunt, so I definitely remember you. It’d be great to meet at Fenway. I’ll take another look at his blog that day so I know for sure what you look like! Maybe we can connect beforehand to set up a time/location, too, as this is my first trip to Fenway. If you check out the following link, you’ll see pictures of me so that you know what I look like, too: http://theballparkguide.mlblogs.com/2012/01/11/a-few-places-ive-been/
Thanks and look forward to meeting you.
Malcolm
I’m usually found hanging out before the game by the red sox nation entrance by gate c. You can find me there around 3:30.
At the Lowell spinners game I think u will have a good chance of getting a foul ball because they go out of the stadium and your allowed to re enter
Good tip! Thanks, Wes. Will you be at that game?
Malcolm
no i wish but i have been their before so i’m pretty sure you’ll get a ball
Cool — thanks for letting me know!
Malcolm