Kenny: Boys of summer are home at Dodd Stadium
Bill Kenny
It could be coincidence that the kids get out of school, at least in Norwich, this Friday and the Connecticut Tigers open up their first long home stand of the 2013 New York-Penn League season on Sunday.
It could be coincidence that the kids get out of school, at least in Norwich, this Friday and the Connecticut Tigers open up their first long home stand of the 2013 New York-Penn League season on Sunday. Opening Day at Dodd Stadium in the Norwich Business Park was Monday.
But, back to the coincidence of school and home stand. Let's say it is a coincidence, okay? Talk about perfect timing.
The turnout for this season's home opener against the Lowell Spinners was the best in Tiger's history — which will sound even more impressive when the Tigers have been here for 20 years. But those days are still ahead.
The New York-Penn League Single A Short Season, the baseball we have in Norwich, is a perfect introduction of the just beginning professional players to the fans in the stands who, after a long day, wish to sit in the cool of the evening, perhaps with the family and perhaps an adult sparkling beverage, and watch the joyful boys of summer play a game that's so easy to play but so hard to play well.
There's a lot to like about the Connecticut Tigers. The Tigers, affiliated with that Major League team so similarly striped in the Motor City, have provided and continue to provide, talent to the parent club every season. And this year will be no exception.
There's the value for your dollar with reasonably priced admission for games in a facility with superlative sight-lines, terrific fan giveaways all season long, great prices and variety on food and refreshments, and between innings entertainment that's good fun in its own right in a ballpark that's in our backyard.
I'm told that for the price of four people to make a day of it at Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium you can put one or more children through college (and complete their doctoral studies). I just made that up and have no way of checking its accuracy but it sounded good for the point I'm making.
Having enjoyed Major League Baseball since there were only 10 teams in two leagues, I'd admit to getting excited for these youngsters — who less than a month ago were probably still playing college baseball — as they take to our Field of Dreams to make their big league dreams come true.
As a fan of the Yankees (and whose second favorite team is whoever beats the Red Sox), the CT Tigers are my home town team, and I root for them like a man possessed. It's like I was on the field myself but without having to learn to drag a bunt or remember the infield fly rule.
But baseball is a limited time offer. The Tigers' home season ends Aug. 30.
There's a plethora of ticket options (lots of choices) best explained on the team's web site (ww.milb.com/tickets/tickets.jsp?sid=t571), stopping bythe box office, open every day starting at 10 a.m., or calling 860-887-7692.
You might want to take the catcher's mitt off before you dial, or you could end up talking to Sydney, Australia.
Bill Kenny, of Norwich, writes a weekly column about Norwich issues. His blog, Tilting at Windmills, can be accessed at www.NorwichBulletin.com.