Tag: Blogs

by Jacoby Nolnaho

BP Report with Jacoby Nolnaho: Dutchess Stadium

On July 11, I attended a Minor League Baseball game. It was the Hudson Valley Renegades (Rays farm system) versus the Virginia Black Bears (Pirates farm system) at Dutchess Stadium. This was very hard for me because I was missing the Home Run Derby in San Diego. I attempted to collect a ball but later found out that the Renegades were not allowed to give balls away. The reason I went to the Renegades game was because it was champions night and the first 1,000 guests received a Wade Davis bobblehead. (Since Wade was celebrating the All Star festivities, his family showed up for him.) Being in the area, I had to go. The novelty wasn’t the only excitement. Although nobody hit home runs during the game, foul balls were flying everywhere. It was a good thing the roofs were metal. Also, the defense was great. Double plays were extremely common. I wanted to catch the rest of the Home Run Derby so I left during the seventh inning. (I did see Stanton win. I posted it the next day.) The Renegades won 6-1. Overall, it had been a really fun day. Despite missing the Home Run Derby, the great defense and bobblehead made up for it. I really hope I can catch another Renegades game another time.

This has been an official Bleacher Creature exclusive.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Citi Field Update

On August second, I came home from a game on August first. It was great. It went into extra innings, I took tons of pictures, captured a very weird video of a Ford mascot race thing (it will be posted later in the week in a new category), and even snagged a ball. For more on my ball park adventure, click here. The Bleacher Creature, the unofficial site of the official fan!

by Jacoby Nolnaho

BP Report with Jacoby Nolnaho: Citi Field

August first. Subway Series. Yankees versus Mets. Bottom of the tenth inning. Betances on the bum. Granderson at the pate. It’s past 11 o’clock. Strike three, yer out!

Now you may be wondering about this. What’s so special about this game? I was at it. It was a great day. But you probably heard about the game, right? Well, in case you didn’t, the Yankees won 6-5 in a ten inning thriller against the rival Mets. BP was almost as exciting as the game. Not only was the ball flying out of the park, but I also snagged by own ball. I was standing in left field foul territory when Mark Teixeira grounded one to third base from the left side. 22 year old Luis Severino scooped up the ball and walked back to the wall. (TIP: If you want to snag your own ball, remember the number one rule of ball hawking: NEVER stand in the front. I was standing a couple rows back to have mobility and stand out.) Seeing me in my empty row, he threw a four seam fastball right to me. At first I thought it was going to drop in but later realized it was going over my head. Desperate for the ball, I leaped up on one leg and the ball plopped (more like slammed) into my glove. The whole section was clapping for me. The first thing I did was look at the ball. What the heck? I thought to myself. I caught it on the fly from Severino and it is in trashy condition. (The ball I snagged at Yankee Stadium wasn’t that nicked up). The thing is, after a ball is used in a game (typically four pitches including outs and hits) get thrown into the dugout. After that, they get used for batting practice and later get sent down to the minors. But the snag wasn’t the only thing drawing the crowd’s attention.

     2015 was great for Alex Rodriguez. 2016… not so much. All the reporters who said the Yankees would release Alex have obviously not seen his batting practice. A-Rod hit a total of five home runs including the longest home run I’ve seen at Citi Field since this. I later picked up a penny book with engraved coins and grabbed a bite at Nathan’s. From my personal experiences, I have concluded that Citi Field is better than Yankee Stadium. It is more kid friendly and generous. Thank you for reading this exclusive Bleacher Creature blog. Stay tuned for pictures and videos from my great experience. Come back and check for more blogs about Yankee Stadium and more.

This has been an official Bleacher Creature exclusive.