It was Thor, the God of Thunder and Marvel goodness one and opening day at the Watertown Wizards zippo. Our company included a former high school pitcher who was able to explain whallops of stuff I was not picking up. My Mets t-shirt itself triggered two conversations with other and extraordinarily friendly fans. Free pennants as the give away and Mel Busler of WWNY 7, shown below doing his job, signed the photo we took of him and the kids last year. They did get an inning and a half in against Glens Falls before the lightning started in the retreating clouds to the east but within a half an hour it was all around and time to retreat to the Texas Roadhouse where we have been given assured of no chance of a table at 5 pm. I can report that the ribs were again fantastic, though the place's interest in NY craft beer seems to already evaporated with Bud and Blue now being the theme.
I figured out a bit more about the NYCBL. It is not so much an undrafted college players league as a pre-draft one. Players make the team only after their first or second years and they come from throughout the USA. Watertown has players this year from Texas, Oregon, Nebraska as well as New York. Plus - the best hot dogs I have ever had at a ball park. No question about that at all.
Comments
Jon The Mechanic - June 10, 2007 12:45 PM
Even though I frequent the Castle, I really haven't visited your place. I had no clue that you were so close to me, location wise. I have to travel down Coffeen Street every day to take the GF to work at the Salmon Run Mall.
Paul of Kingston - June 10, 2007 1:18 PM
Al, what is it with baseball and rain. Why don't these guys tolerate getting wet? I won't buy any argument that says the wet makes it difficult to pitch or hit or catch - that's the same for other field sports. The wet changes the game and the teams are equally affected.
What's the official line here?
Alan - June 10, 2007 1:22 PM
Paul, it was the lightning not the rain. The night was a real stunner. Jon: I am not sure what you are saying. Had you no idea Kingston was so near to Watertown?
Paul of Kingston - June 10, 2007 8:21 PM
Ah, I had always thought that they packed it in if it rained. The lighting thing makes sense.
Jon The Mechanic - June 12, 2007 7:30 AM
No, I am saying that I didn't know you lived in Kingston.
I thought you were over in Nova Scotia or someplace like that.
Alan - June 19, 2007 12:06 PM
Interesting note at the Wizards homepage on the recent MLB draft:<blockquote class="smalltext">Last Friday, the Chicago White Sox selected Levi Maxwell (’05) in the 17th round (569th overall) of the 2007 Major League Baseball entry draft. He was one of 26 current or former NYCBL players that were taken in the draft.</blockquote>
Ezra - July 1, 2007 1:46 PM
i think i know jon. and i'll agree, i had no idea you were from kingston, maybe i didn't pay close enough attention, but i thought you were from far away and traveled here to see what the the area has to offer.