Play ball!
With those words, professional baseball will swing into action the next few days with regular-season openers at stadiums across the country.
Somewhere out there, James Earl Jones is emerging from a cornfield and reminding us ever so eloquently that "the one constant through all the years has been baseball. It is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good and could be again."
In Wisconsin, the National League Central Division champion Milwaukee Brewers and their minor league affiliate â€" the Grand Chute-based Wisconsin Timber Rattlers â€" launch new seasons with home openers.
The Rattlers host Cedar Rapids at 6:35 p.m. today in the opener of a three-game series. The Brewers start a three-game series Friday afternoon at Miller Park with a 3:10 p.m. contest against the defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals â€" an old nemesis that won't be as much fun to hate now that manager Tony La Russa has retired and is no longer annoying every non-Cardinals baseball fan.
Here's the breakdown on all you need to know for Brewers-Timber Rattlers baseball.
Tickets
Brewers: Friday's season opener is sold out, but tickets are available for the Saturday and Sunday games. Single-game seats for non-season ticket holders run from $15 to $195, but the majority range between $25 and $60. To buy tickets, go to milwaukeebrewers.com or call Brewers Ticket Services at 414-902-4000. General parking is $15 for marquee games and $10 for non-marquee games. Preferred parking is $25 (marquee games) and $18 (non-marquee games).
Rattlers: Ticket prices are far more economical for low Class A baseball, especially if you bring the family to Fox Cities Stadium. Grass seating is $5, while bleacher-style reserved seats go for $8. If you want to get closer to the potential stars of tomorrow, $10 will get you a nice box seat. Parking is $5 for cars and $10 for buses and RVs. If a Brewers player is getting some rehab work with the Rattlers, get your tickets immediately because attendance usually soars. To purchase tickets, go to timberrattlers.com, call 920-733-4152 or visit the box office before the game.
(Page 2 of 3)
Who to watch
Brewers: Prince Fielder has deserted us for the big bucks offered by Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch. But newcomer Aramis Ramirez has averaged 23 homers over the last 13 seasons and should thrive in hitter-friendly Miller Park. Fielder's replacement at first base, Matt Gamel, has been a hitting machine in the minor leagues and has shown more power than advertised this spring. Nyjer Morgan, the only non-super hero I've heard of with an alias (Tony Plush) is back. And you might have heard of this Ryan Braun fellow, who was accused of taking a banned substance during an MVP 2011 season, but swears he took nothing stronger than Flintstones vitamins. He may draw some boos on the road since some think his suspension shouldn't have been lifted, but the man should remain as popular as ever at Miller Park.
Rattlers: The roster includes three players rated among the top 30 in the Milwaukee organization by Baseball America's Prospect Handbook: slick-fielding shortstop Yadiel Rivera (No. 15), and pitchers David Goforth (No. 17) and Drew Gagnon (23). The 19-year-old Rivera played in 32 games with the Rattlers last summer and hit eight home runs at Helena, where he was a unanimous choice as the Pioneer League's best defensive shortstop. Goforth, a seventh-round pick in the 2011 draft, has a fastball that ranges between 94 mph and 99 mph. Gagnon was a third-round pick out of Long Beach State University in the 2011 draft.
Players returning from last year's roster along with Rivera are infielders Carlos George, Greg Hopkins, Brandon Macias and Jason Rogers, catchers Tyler Roberts and Rafael Neda, outfielder Chad Stang and pitchers Seth Lintz and Matt Miller.
What to munch on
Brewers: A classic bratwurst â€" or three â€" loaded with sauerkraut and the secret sauce that Bob Costas raved about years ago is definitely the way to go. Burgers, hot dogs, Italian beef, pizza, nachos and chorizo can be found at the countless food venues inside the stadium. If you want more than just standard ballpark food, stop by Friday's Front Row Sports Grill where several steak, ribs, shrimp, chicken, salmon and pasta entrees are available.
(Page 3 of 3)
Rattlers: Extra hungry? Try the 1-pound Southwestern Grand Slam Burger ($9) with bacon, barbecue sauce and cheddar cheese. A new nachos stand featuring Class A Nachos â€" a large fully loaded nachos dish with either beef or chicken, sour cream and jalapenos â€" also has been added. Hamburgers go for $5, while brats are $4.25 and hot dogs are $2.75. If you're looking to wash it down with a cold one, most beer choices are $4.50.
Apparel
Brewers: If it's Brewers-related and you can wear it, throw it, prop it on your desk or line a fastball with it, the Brewers Team Store by Majestic Athletic should have it. It is located at Home Plate Gate and is open on game days until 45 minutes after the ballgame ends.
Rattlers: The Rattlers have a well-stocked team store â€" the Snake Pit â€" that sells a variety of apparel such as shirts, caps, T-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets. Some Brewers gear is available and some of the merchandise is co-branded with logos from both teams.
Special nights
Brewers: It's hard to leave Miller Park without some type of souvenir given away by the Brewers. Among the notable bobblehead nights are Jonathan Lucroy (April 22), Yovani Gallardo (May 13), Morgan (June 10), Bob Uecker (July 29) and Ramirez (Sept 16).
Rattlers: The Rattlers work hard to make baseball a fun family event and feature countless promotions and give-away nights, starting with today's bobblehead give-away. Buck Night will be offered on Wednesdays, with beer, soda and hot dogs available for $1. Sixteen-ounce beer and soda will be $2 on Thirsty Thursday. American TV & Appliance will sponsor a flat-screen television give-away on Tuesdays. Fireworks will be shot off after home games on Fridays and Saturdays, starting June 8. Fly-Away Saturdays sponsored by Funjet Vacations and Fox World Travel is another regular promotion, offering a pair of charter airline tickets each week.
No comments:
Post a Comment