Carter's Mascot Report - 7/15

 This T.C. Bear with his favorite toy, an air cannon.  He uses it for shooting T-shirts into the crowd.  He likes to run around on the field and mess around.  It was pretty hot, so he slept in his cave during the innings. 

On Sundays he brings out his "sons"  1 and 2.  They are called Mini Mascots, and are actually two lucky children who get to wear bear costumes and be mascots for the day.  They hung out with T.C.  They also got to meet the players.  they got to be the closest ones to the race around the bases contest.  I wish the Oakland Athletics had the Mini Mascots.  I really hope to be one!

On Carter's Mascot Rating Scale, I give T.C. a 7 out of 10 because he was very fun and friendly.

Robert's Sportscast - 7/15

Welcome to Robert's sport report. Today's game was the Minnesota Twins against the Oakland Athletics. Unlike the last A's game we went to, this time they won! And what better way to celebrate my mom's birthday than to have the A's win with 4 home runs! The starting pitcher for the Twins was #52 Duensing. Duensing only pitched 3 innings after giving up 6 runs on 4 singles 3 home runs and 2 walks. 2 of these were back to back home runs from Cespedes and Carter. Number 50 Fien pitched the 4th and 5th and only gave up a single and struck out one. Number 60 Gray started the 6th, but could only get two outs after giving up 3 runs on a single a home run and 2 walks. #31 Burnett got the last out of the 6th, only giving up a walk. In the 7th inning #64 Robertson pitched and had a clean inning. In the 8th number 61 Burton pitched and gave up 2 singles and a walk, but no runs scored. In the 9th number 15 Perkins closed it out and only gave up a walk. The starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics was #11 Parker who pitched 6 innings giving up 4 runs on 9 singles and 2 doubles. Parker struck out 3 Twins batters. In the 7th and the start of the 8th #13 Blevins pitched, giving up nothing and striking out 2. Number 58 Scribner pitched the last out of the 8th and the 9th giving up a single. 36,853 fans showed up today and over a quarter of them left before the 7th inning. Obviously they aren't into baseball like we are. This is the last sports report for this vacation, so enjoy the rest of your summer.

Twins 7/15

Subtitle:  "How To Show A Girl A Hot Time On Her Birthday!"


Welcome to Target Field, where we finally caught up with the humidity!!  This is a lovely field with many great features.  But the questions remains:  Why no dome stadium in this climate?


One thing that makes this park unique is its commitment to a green environment.  Although constructed in a climate full of rain and snow, Target Field can easily drain its surfaces dry and then recycles the water to use in field maintenance and cleaning.  Want to learn more?

Most of the concession areas are under overhangs (think weather!) but the place maintains a spacious and airy feel, and it is possible to see the field from almost all of the first deck concourse. 
Can you smell food?  Of course you can!  Target field has an amazing variety of food (some of it with unpronounceable names).  Chinese food, hot turkey sandwiches, chicken burritos, Cuban sandwiches, even a pork shop on a stick!

Target Field does have a giant hot dog, The Giant Slugger.  It is certainly more than the average cholesterol-minded person should consume in one sitting, but it doesn't hold a candle to The Boomstick!

This stadium had many activities BEFORE the beginning of the game.  Mini Mascots were introduced (see Carter's Mascot Report).  In addition to the game lineup there was also a Kids Starting Lineup, where kids from local teams get to take the field with their heroes.  There was a ceremonial first pitch as well as a special first pitch by an ailing child (Make A Wish?).  The singing of The National Anthem was amazingly moving, accompanied by the raising of the American and MIA/POW flags by four vets (no one hooted until the last note!)

The most amazing thing was the live music!  This is the best picture we could get of Farewell Milwaukee, who performed from an upper deck balcony before and during the game.  It was a nice change of pace from the usual piped-in music, and they were actually very good!  Click to listen

Between innings we were treated to some fun favorites, a few-too-many types of fancam, and a few new activities.  Especially noteworthy were Groove in the 3rd (a dance-off), Twinscam (split-screen mirror-image cam), a sing-along to Joy to the World, and a Junior P.A (announcer).

This is us, trying to stay cool.  Lemon and Strawberry Chill and Killebrew played a big part!

The best part of the day was that the A's kicked The Twins butts!  This is Petaluma's own Jonny Gomes who was nice enough to hit one of the A's 4 home runs (a 2 RBI one!) in honor of my birthday!

Now headed for home.

Kansas City

 This visit to Kansas City was brought to you by:

BASEBALL, BARBEQUE, LAURA'S FUDGE and CHRYSLER!

...plus a few other things!

  Oz Museum                                               

                                                        Stroud's

                                                                    

 City Market

Winstead's                                     

 Moon Marble Factory

Yep!  We're coming home with a couple of treasures (and a few extra pounds!)

Robert's Sportscast - 7/13

Welcome to Robert's sport report. Today's game was the Kansas City Royals versus the Chicago White Sox. This game was packed with exciting moments throughout all 5 hours and 24 minutes! The best part of the 32,744 fans stayed through it all along with us. Sadly, after the 14th inning the White Sox were to take the lead and win the game.

The starting pitcher for the Royals was Chen who pitched 4 and 2/3 of the game. Chen gave up 6 runs on 5 singles, 1 double, and 3 home runs. Chen threw 5 strikeouts, 1 of them was looking. He also gave up 3 walks. Since Chen couldn't finish the 5th inning they had to bring in #40 Herrera, who finished the inning after giving up a double and getting a strikeout. In the 6th inning we saw number 50 pitch 2/3 of the 6th, giving up a walk and striking out one. To finish the 6th and pitch the 7th was #43 Crow. He only gave up a single and got one strikeout. In the top of the 8th #56 Howard pitched and had a clean inning, gaining one strikeout. To the top of the 9th the Royals brought in their big closer to try to keep their 7-6 lead.  Unfortunately he gave up a run on 2 singles and 2 walks. This tied the game and sent us into extra innings. Number 31 Coleman pitched the 10th and 11th innings, allowing only 1 walk. He also got 2 strikeouts. In the 12th inning #55 Collins came in and gave up a run on a double and 2 walks. Number 61 Teaford pitched the 13th and 14th inning, allowing the game winning run on 2 singles a double and a walk.

The starting pitcher for the White Sox was #62 Quintana who pitched through the 5th inning, allowing 5 runs on 4 singles 1 double and 2 home runs. Quintana allowed 3 walks and struck out 4 -one of which was looking. In the 6th inning #48 Omogrosso came in and had a perfect inning. Number 37 Thornton pitched the 7th and gave up 2 singles and struck one person out. Jones started the 8th, but did not get an out -allowing a run on a walk and a triple. He was replaced by #52 Septimo who gave up 1 run on a double and he struck one person out. Septimo also pitched the 9th and only allowed a single and struck out one. Number 57 Marinez pitched 1 and two thirds, allowing 2 singles and 2 walks. #53 Santiago pitched the third out of the 11th inning. Lee pitched the 12th, allowing a run on a single and a double. Axelrod pitched the final two innings and only gave up a walk and struck out 3. Overall it was a very exciting game at Kaufman field! It is my opinion that there are going to be a lot of sore arms for both teams tomorrow.

Carter's Mascot Report - 7/13

I got two mascots for the price of one!

This is Sluggerrr with his buddy, Truman the Tiger from Mizzou University.  Truman was there because the Royals were hosting fans from Mizzou University.

They're having a lot of fun together.  Finally, another feline that he understands!  Truman likes just walking around the field and Sluggerr likes touching girl's hair.  They have something in common, dancing!



On Carter's Mascot Rating Scale, I give Truman an 8 because he was up on the field and active and hanging out with Sluggerrr.

I saw Sluggerrr up and going around the crowd.  He is a crazy goofball, just like me!  He likes running around in the stands, greeting people. During the game he grabbed a person's nachos and gave them to somebody two rows behind them. He  also likes throwing cotton-filled baseballs to the fans.

While he was up and around he came up to my dad (who was dressed in A's gear) and held his nose and shooed him away (Robert and I think he ejected him!)

 I give Sluggerrr a 10 out of 10, because he is fun, active, and a goofball.

And that is is, Folks!

Royals - 7/13 - THE RETURN

Welcome to the new and (mostly) improved Kauffman Stadium

You must be aware by now that Kansas City was the site of the All-Star Game this year.  In preparation for the event the stadium has undergone some major renovation!  Although an attractive stadium before, it always had the feel of a minor league ballpark.  Not anymore!  This jewel is all grown up.  The entire area surrounding the fountain has been built up to incorporate restaurants, concessions, and activities.  Here is Kauffman before the renovation.

The new ballpark includes a number of new dining choices.

But we were lucky to be there on DOLLAR NIGHT!  Just look at what we took advantage of!

Unfortunately, GATES is no longer an option at Kauffman Stadium...

 

There is a new Royals Hall of Fame to rival any full-sized baseball museum we have attended.  We found photographs, demonstrations, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits.  We wish we had more time to fully explore!

The new kids' area is amazing!  And huge!  A family could completely miss the baseball game while taking advantage of mini field, batting cages, park, fountains, mini golf, and other pint-sized attractions.  Some have a small fee, but this is really an enhancement of the ballpark experience, rather than a way to gouge the fans for another few bucks.




Strange but true: Before then game, during the playing of the National Anthem, all movement in the corridors and concession areas came to a halt as all eyes turned toward the nearest monitor.

The game began with a visit from local Joplin, MO Royals Thunder -Amazing! (Click link to listen)

Entertainment included, of all things, the swearing-in ceremony of the newest group of army recruits from Fort Levenworth, KS.  And at the conclusion of the game we were treated to a firework show! (sorry, no photos available)

Between innings, hotdogs were thrown into the stands (here is Carter, enjoying the one he caught!)



Kauffman REALLY knows how to whip the crowd into a frenzy!
Texas has some serious rivals for the title of loudest fans!



The game was amazing, close, long, and tense! Refer to Robert's Sportcast for details.

Kansas City really knows how to put on a show for its fans.  And all of the new additions are really a plus!  Unfortunately, the experience at Fan Services was underwhelming.  And the in-between inning entertainment now consists mostly of every imaginable type of Fan-Cam. (We do have to say that Oblivious Cam and Limbo Cam were a lot of fun, though!)

After this trip, we may have to hand the mantle of "Best Fan Experience" to Minute Maid Park.

But don't worry, Kauffman...

We're still HUGE fans!

We found the new Kauffman experience to be totally delicious!