2/12/2021

Minor League Baseball game

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball had a shortened season last year and Minor League Baseball cancelled the 2020 season. It was truly a disaster for baseball, minor league teams, MLB teams and players, in particular, prospects missed 1-year development. Meanwhile, fans lost opportunities to enjoy watching minor league baseball games. I only went to a minor league game once when I was in Durham and I did have a great time with a group of friends there. Back then, I was supposed to go to watch an opening day game, however, it was raining and the Durham Bulls allowed us to change tickets. My friends and I decided to go to a game on Friday because we could watch post-game fireworks. On the game day, a friend dropped me at the entrance of the stadium, but I had to change my ticket first. My friends were sitting in the right field area and of course I went there. I remember I grabbed some food at the stadium, but I didn’t remember what I ate. For me, the view at the right field area was actually pretty good. I was pretty excited for the game because it’s not only my first minor league baseball game, but also several of my friends’ first baseball games. It was a game between the Durham Bulls and the Norfolk Tides. It was quite interesting for me because I saw some players before. Jayson Nix started at the second base and batted 6th that day. Back in 2007, I saw him play with the team USA in the IBAF baseball world cup and he won the MVP of the tournament. Being a professional baseball player is not easy. Jayson Nix played 8 teams in his MLB career in 7 years and back in 2015, I believe that he was trying to be back in the MLB. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it. For me, there are always two things to watch in a minor league game. Firstly, prospects, in particular, top prospects. It’s always fun and exciting to see them play hard to get an opportunity to be called up. In addition, some veteran players might play some time in the MLB, but they are not everyday players yet. They are working hard to be called up again, also trying to improve his skills or play more consistently. Entertainment is also a key element in the stadium. During a game, we can see some kids run the bases. And the well known snorting bull. A player of the Bulls did hit a home run that day, so we saw smoke spew from the Bull’s nostrils. I don’t remember the ticket price of that game, but it wasn’t too expensive. Watching a great game at an affordable price is always great for a baseball fan. I asked those friends, who never watched a baseball game before, and they did enjoy the game. Minor games are important for players, coaches and fans. Players get more experience in playing and learn from playing. Meanwhile, the coaching staff can instruct players through games. Of course, fans can enjoy watching a game. Some of my friends watch more baseball games after that game and a friend wears a Bulls cap all the time.

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