Bats Take 1st Game in Playoff Series

Readers, it was a great night for baseball yesterday at beautiful Louisville Slugger Field: the Bats defeated the Durham Bulls in the first of the 5 game series. Whoever comes out on top will own the title of best in the International League, and then get to go on to play the winners of the Pacific Northwest league next week.

It was looking a little bad at first: the Bulls scored two runs early and the Bats seemed a bit shaky. I have to admit, Durham is pretty sharp looking, both in their manner of play and in their uniforms: they are really the only team I've seen who actually all wear their socks/pants properly (i.e. knicker length, with visible socks/stockings covering the entire calf). I'm a little obsessed with men's hem lengths these days, both on and off the baseball field...is it just me, or do guys seem to have no idea how to wear their pants? And lest you think I'm treading fuddy-duddy territory here: I'm not strictly talking about the trend of "sagging," I'm just saying what's the appeal of having a big puddle of fabric around your ankles? It looks terrible generally, and in baseball it seems terribly un-athletic. Wouldn't they be more mobile and have a better range of motion if their pants didn't extend to their ankles? Marge Schott is probably rolling in her grave over the yards of wasted fabric billowing over Johnny Cueto's cleats. ha-rumph!

Anyway, you can read the play-by-play here, but check out that picture up there! nice seats, eh? And check out that ballpark! Easily the finest you'll see in the minor leagues, incorporating the original red brick facade of the old Louisville Gas & Electric Co. building, offering nice views and breeze from the Ohio river. And hey: that's real Ky bluegrass on the field--the original grass that was laid down in 2000, the year it opened (unusual since most ballparks re-sod before each new season). A beautiful evening and a very exciting game: lots of hits, a few homers, and steller pitching from our boys made for a good night out at the ballpark. My only complaint? Man, the $1 hotdogs were GODAWFUL! Buddy Bat was on his best behavior, so no drama there (although a couple rowdy fans did heckle the nearest umpire every time there was a close play by invoking the name of the recently-ejected mascot...this, unfortunately, elicited no response).

It seemed like most of the familiar names were absent from the lineup: the Reds apparently called many Bats up before the end-of-season deadline in order to use them for their own impeding playoffs. This meant, sadly, we had to do without the mustachioed majesty of perennial favorite Corky Miller. Oh, well--that might mean a post-season appearance for him in Cincinnati, which would be pretty great. Go, Porky!

And also: go Bats!

Ump Has Minor League Sense of Humor

Readers, I am happy to report the hometown favorites of the International League have clinched the Western division title and are now moving on to the playoffs! The Louisville Bats--AAA farm team of the Cincinnati Reds--beat the Indianapolis Indians (farm team of the Pirates) yesterday 6 to 3 in their last regular season game of the year. Very exciting news (a situation that will hopefully be duplicated by our big league affiliates to the North pretty soon)--in fact, I'm planning on attending tomorrow night's game vs. the Durham Bulls for the first post-season game (it's dollar hot dog night!). So stayed tuned for highlights!

Also: one thing that grabbed our attention regarding yesterday's game is a little irregular, and I'd say deserves a little investigation. Apparently there was a mid-game ejection involving one member of the Bats organization who usually stays (more or less) clear of controversy: the above-pictured team mascot, Buddy Bat! The local papers are clueless when it comes to news people actually want to read--the morning sports section mentions the ejection, but fails to account for it, like we wouldn't care about a life-sized plush toy getting so out of hand he was barred from completing his day of work! Of course I care about that! What did he do? Was he using obscene language or gestures? Were children weeping? Was he fined? Will the AAA mascot union take action on Buddy's behalf? Come on, Courier-Journal, give us the facts!

It is sad that I have to turn to internet blogs for real news, but so it goes. According to "Nancy" over at Sandlot Swashbucklers the 3rd inning ended after a questionable double-play at first base. Apparently Louisville fans took umbrage, and the predicament inspired Buddy to make a statement:

"Buddy the Bat took the field to challenge a small fan to a race around the bases between innings, and as he did so, he was waving his arms/wings and gesturing about the just-completed double play -- apparently in a way that the first base umpire Lance Barrett did not appreciate."

Ha! Subversive charades! Nice one, Buddy--way to take one for the team! And way to flex that minor league authority there, Lance (some guys got no sense of humor). Go Bats!