Yesterday, I decided to make a trip up to Dayton to watch a little Midwest League A-ball, but it was not to be. The contest between the Dragons and Fort Wayne Wizards was rained out, and will be made up in a doubleheader when the teams meet again in mid-May. I shall return in the first week of June, since I get a ticket to an upcoming game in exchange.
In the brief time I was there standing in the concourse, protected from the wind and rain, I must say I was pretty impressed with the ballpark. Dayton is a ghosttown, and Fifth Third Field definitely proved to be the "diamond in the rough," so to speak. The Dragons have sold out over 500 consecutive games, and aside from the fact that I'm sure that there is not much else to do in Dayton, a large part of it is probably the quality of the stadium experience (also that the Dragons are the class A affiliate of the Reds, who are a mere 45 minutes south). If I 
was walking into this stadium not knowing anything about the team, I would have honestly thought it was a AAA stadium; it reminded me a lot of the Rochester Red Wings stadium, minus the nice scenery. Most of the A-ball and independent league fields ive been at contain little more than 15 rows of bleachers on either side and a cheap 9-inning tally in the outfield. But this was a very nice park, with a pretty outstanding little team shop (the Dragon Den) from which I acquired a T-shirt. I look forward to my return visit to actually see some game action from my right field GA lawn seat. And perhaps while I come back next time, I'll make a stop at the neighboring Mendelsohn's Furniture Warehouse for a nice ottoman.
was walking into this stadium not knowing anything about the team, I would have honestly thought it was a AAA stadium; it reminded me a lot of the Rochester Red Wings stadium, minus the nice scenery. Most of the A-ball and independent league fields ive been at contain little more than 15 rows of bleachers on either side and a cheap 9-inning tally in the outfield. But this was a very nice park, with a pretty outstanding little team shop (the Dragon Den) from which I acquired a T-shirt. I look forward to my return visit to actually see some game action from my right field GA lawn seat. And perhaps while I come back next time, I'll make a stop at the neighboring Mendelsohn's Furniture Warehouse for a nice ottoman.YESTERDAY'S RESULTS:
Twins W (7-4)
Brewers W (6-4)
Reds L (6-5)
touch with baseball when his childhood heroes Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Jim Gantner retired but the Great Home Run Chase of 1998 reignited his passion. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik became involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. With this group Erik traveled to Portland, OR and Baltimore, MD to work on construction projects and help the group raise $25,000 to partially sponsor a house in Milwaukee. Also at UWM, Erik met Peter Nagel. The two attended their first Brewers game together during Opening Weekend 2003. Despite their failure to ignite the coals at their first tailgate, the two had a blast and were soon making weekly trips to the ballpark. Erik has gone on to several colleges and changed careers several times, and has moved all the way out to New Hampshire, but has always stayed true to his baseball roots by holding part-time stadium usher jobs. To this day he looks back fondly on his incredible cross-country journey.
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