We really enjoy AA ball ...

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 5:48 pm

The Portland Sea Dogs run a class organization. My family and occasionally guests enjoy the short 45 to 50 drive to watch good talent play at a very price. This year they are hosting the Eastern League All Star game in mid-July and we already bought our tickets.

Recent article reflects nicely on the caliber of players that have played for the Sea Dogs: 32 Sea Dogs Make MLB Opening Day Rosters in 2015

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ym ... 6&sid=t546

Probably should be titled 32 Former Sea Dogs ...

Rays · Post by **Rays** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 6:58 pm

You're right on Jim. Going to see the Sea Dogs at Hadlock field is great.

What other eastern ball park has such excellent micro brews on tap? Some nice breweries in the area too.

I'll never forget going to the 2005 Eastern League All star game up there.

Hanley Ramirez, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Anibal Sanchez, Manny Delcarmen...tons of talent that year.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:18 pm

Rays wrote:Hanley Ramirez, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Anibal Sanchez, Manny Delcarmen...tons of talent that year.

One of these is not like the others...

Giants · Post by **Giants** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:57 pm

Rays wrote:You're right on Jim. Going to see the Sea Dogs at Hadlock field is great.

What other eastern ball park has such excellent micro brews on tap? Some nice breweries in the area too.

I'll never forget going to the 2005 Eastern League All star game up there.

Hanley Ramirez, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Anibal Sanchez, Manny Delcarmen...tons of talent that year.

Though Delcarmen did have some useful years as an IBC sim piece of I recall correctly.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:31 pm

We could tell if Shawn would ever put up the stats for past seasons on the player pages...oh wait...

Rays · Post by **Rays** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:21 am

Don't delay! Manny is now pitching for the Nats and still available to sign.

If only Merkin Valdez and Joel Zumaya could be had too.

Angels · Post by **Angels** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:12 am

I agree with Jim here. I live in Richmond, on the other end of the Eastern League. I go to a dozen or so games a year and always see outstanding prospects who go on to the majors within a couple of years. And it's like $15 to sit right next to the dugout...

It's also a good place to get some signed baseballs, if you're in to that. In the last couple of years, I've gotten Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, AJ Cole, Danny Santana, and a few other guys like that. I'm actually going tomorrow vs. New Britain to try to get David Dahl. When they're still at this level, most of those guys are still happy to sign.

Anyway, minor league games are always great -- and the Eastern League is such a fun league with good prospects to see.

Cardinals · Post by **Cardinals** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:17 am

Looking forward to the Hartford Yard Goats and whatever Rockies prospects pass through. Much more convenient than going out to New Britain.

Phillies · Post by **Phillies** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 12:02 pm

Indians wrote:I agree with Jim here. I live in Richmond, on the other end of the Eastern League. I go to a dozen or so games a year and always see outstanding prospects who go on to the majors within a couple of years. And it's like $15 to sit right next to the dugout...

It's also a good place to get some signed baseballs, if you're in to that. In the last couple of years, I've gotten Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, AJ Cole, Danny Santana, and a few other guys like that. I'm actually going tomorrow vs. New Britain to try to get David Dahl. When they're still at this level, most of those guys are still happy to sign.

Anyway, minor league games are always great -- and the Eastern League is such a fun league with good prospects to see.

Perryman put something on Twitter the other day that the Binghamton Mets are moving to Wilmington, DE. While I'm not thrilled it's a Mets affiliate I am super excited to get Double A ball in Delaware (if it happens). Frawley Stadium is really starting to up their game by adding a Dogfish Head Fan Deck and Chickies and Petes.

Guardians · Post by **Guardians** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 12:07 pm

Pirates wrote:Looking forward to the Hartford Yard Goats and whatever Rockies prospects pass through. Much more convenient than going out to New Britain.

Worst team name ever, by the way? I don't even get why people thought Yard Goats was a good idea.

Cardinals · Post by **Cardinals** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:05 pm

Better than some of the other ideas they voted on.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 8:49 pm

I can't believe they changed the name given how much money they poured into the Rock Cats brand when we were younger.

Rays · Post by **Rays** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:02 pm

The Yards Goats—which Boston.com endorsed earlier this month—beat out other finalists: Blue Frogs, Choppers, Hedgehogs, Honey Badgers, Hound Dogs, Praying Mantis, River Hogs, Screech Owls, and Whirlybirds.

I wonder how close it was in the end?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/connec ... story.html

Cardinals · Post by **Cardinals** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:43 pm

Dodgers wrote:I can't believe they changed the name given how much money they poured into the Rock Cats brand when we were younger.

Hey, hey, hey, hey-hey-hey-hey, hey! The New Britain Rock Cats are here to play!

Angels · Post by **Angels** » Thu May 14, 2015 9:54 am

Just saw this really good (and kind of sad) story about baseball in New Britain:

http://www.hardballtimes.com/new-britai ... n-no-more/

Cardinals · Post by **Cardinals** » Thu May 14, 2015 4:51 pm

New Britain is a complete dump. It's only another 10-15 minutes from Hartford, but I'm much more likely to now go see a few games a year now that the Yard Goats are in Hartford as of next season. Couldn't tell you the last time I went to a Rock Cats game.