Baseball in America Tour - Baseball Entertainment Complex
"It's a mere moment in a man's life between the All-Star Game and an Old-timers' Game." - Vin Scully
As I republish this piece ten years later, I realize how much my perspective has evolved, but my love for the simple joys of baseball hasn’t changed. That “funk” I mentioned back then feels more like a turning point now, a moment where I recognized the importance of chasing the authentic and unscripted aspects of the game. The minor league experience still has its charm, but I think I was craving more connection—something deeper that goes beyond the entertainment-driven formula. It’s the local fields, the community leagues, and those unassuming Sunday afternoon games that remind me why I fell in love with baseball in the first place. The thrill of catching a ball, the nostalgia, and the sense of shared excitement with strangers—those moments still resonate today. Looking back, it was never about the structure or the spectacle; it was always about finding those small, genuine slices of baseball life that make the game timeless.
Originally Posted on May 13, 2014
Yesterday was Day 88 of this journey, and while I bring it up for no particular reason, I was in Little Rock, Arkansas, watching the Arkansas Travelers take on the NW Arkansas Naturals. I arrived in Little Rock the night before from Memphis. I had spent much of the previous evening, and most of yesterday, at a Starbucks since the game wasn’t until 7 p.m. It rained on and off all day, with the threat of more to come. I was hoping there wouldn’t be any weather delays and that the game wouldn’t go into extra innings. I needed to be in Oklahoma City by 10 a.m. for a radio interview, and that was a five-hour drive.
Well, the game did go into extra innings, with the Naturals finally putting the Travelers away in the 12th inning, winning 6-5. The game ended around 11:15 p.m., and it started raining immediately after. I managed to drive for three hours toward Oklahoma City, found a rest area, and slept until 8 a.m., making it to the interview by 10:10 a.m. More about that tomorrow!
I haven’t been writing much lately, as I’ve been in a bit of a "funk." I’m still enjoying the trip and seeing all these places, but I’m feeling somewhat disillusioned with many of the minor league venues. I get that minor league baseball is a business and that they need to make money to stay afloat. Most of them are using a formula of entertainment that seems to work for their community. I alluded to this yesterday. The food is pretty much the same everywhere, and there’s constant entertainment between innings. I guess I expected more variety, but I’ve found that’s not really the case.
I make no bones about it—I love nostalgia. Give me the unique and the old stadiums. I loved McKechnie Park in Bradenton (Pirates), and Wrigley Field has an amazing energy and look. Bakersfield was a real treat, and the Montgomery Biscuits have done a great job combining the old with the new. However, many of these newer places are “cookie cutter,” designed with the baseball entertainment complex in mind.
I’ve been sticking to a schedule, planning my trip two to three weeks in advance, which has been great for getting media attention—something I really enjoy. But this “exposure” has also limited me. Part of what I want to do is get to smaller communities and explore off the beaten path. I want to go to a game every day, but I think when summer comes, I’ll leave weekends open without scheduled games. That way, I can wander the back roads, catch a community “Merchant” league game, or watch a youth tournament.
I had a conversation with Chris Dearing in South Carolina about a “Black” league that still plays in the South. He said it’s great baseball that most people don’t know about. I want to go to those games, search out those venues. I don’t know exactly what I’m looking for, but I’ve had my fill of the “systematic” formula of baseball entertainment. I get why it works for the casual fan.
I’m working my way back to Wisconsin and will be there by the end of the month. It’ll be nice to see my daughter and family. From there, my plan is to seek out great baseball cities in Wisconsin and Minnesota and talk with people who still show up on Sunday afternoons to watch the Legion teams. I hope these games still exist!
Lastly, it feels great to get a ball! It always feels great to get a ball!
At the game last night, I caught a foul ball. There’s something that excites me every time it happens. I’ve been trying to get one at all the different leagues I visit, and so far, I’ve been successful. It brings out the kid in me every time I chase after one. I wasn’t the only one, though. I was sitting next to a guy and his friends, and he wanted one too. He had even bought his tickets to be in a good position to get one. I got the only one that came our way.
Unfortunately, I had to tumble through a gate and onto the field to get it. I showed the ball to him and his friends and explained what I was doing. They loved it, as most people do when I tell them. I was hoping another ball would come our way so he could get one. It didn’t, but when he went to the bathroom, a ball was hit near there. I was hoping he was paying attention—and he was. He out-hustled his buddy to get it, and like all kids, he was excited to show it off when he got back. I was happy for him! That’s what I love about this game: it brings out the kid in all of us.