Madison is playing some impressive baseball so after the game got underway, I turned my attention to the field.  The Waterloo Bucks were in town on Thursday looking to cool off the Mallard bats, but it was just not meant to be.  After giving up a run in the bottom of the second inning, Waterloo tied the game in the third, but couldn’t hold on.  The Mallards put up seven runs in their next two tries before capping off an 11-4 victory with three runs in the sixth.  I’m sure the Bucks will find their stride before I head to their game in Waterloo on Sunday.

The drive from Madison to Battle Creek was actually a lot faster than I anticipated.  I do most of my traveling alone and needless to say, nobody jumped at the opportunity to make the five-hour drive Saturday and then turn around and make a six-hour drive to Green Bay on Sunday (with an additional two hours or so back to Madison that night).  Chicago traffic was enough to make the time go by faster, but nothing to give me trouble.  Plus it offered great views of the skyline!  Weather cooperated and all-in-all, it was a nice drive.

Now, for anyone that doesn’t know me, I tend to over-prepare for any trip I take, and I had left myself plenty of time for the time-change as well as for traffic along the way.  I got into Battle Creek and had a few hours to kill before game time so I checked into my hotel and got some work done placing pictures and biographies on the Northwoods League website (which you should go check out!).  I had been keeping an eye on the time so I could be at the park early and was just about to freshen up when I had a revelation – my new laptop was not set to change time in a new time zone!  After a quick brushing of the teeth, I was out the door.

Luckily, the rest of the evening went extremely smoothly.  The threat of rain kept the crowd size down, but the Lunkers and Bombers entertained all who came out.  I had the chance to check out the largest outdoor bar in the state of Michigan while I was out on the Bomber’s Fan Deck and it didn’t disappoint either!  Everyone up there was having a great time and had a nice view of the action.  I also had the opportunity to check out the C.O. Brown Stadium press box which must be a joy for all the media that need to work in it. 

The North/South Division match up in Battle Creek proved again how well the South Division is playing. Brainerd did its best to contain the Bombers, but the “Mosquito Men” came out on top in the 3-1 decision.

The next morning I headed off to Green Bay, again with the assumption that I had planned effectively and left myself enough wiggle room to get to the park right at gates open.  Another smooth trip was spoiled as I pulled in to Green Bay.  I was once again much earlier than I had expected, and was greeted with sheets of rain and cold temperatures.  The sky had looked threatening the whole trip, but my check on the radar had showed rain farther South.  I found a mall, (what better way to pass the time?) and had some lunch while the rain worked itself out.

Thankfully, the rain stopped by the time I walked back out to my car, but I still changed into pants and a NWL sweatshirt for the game – sadly, I hadn’t brought my winter coat.  The field was soaked and the fans were cold as I walked into Joannes Stadium.  The staff had pushed the start time back a half hour to give the field some time to dry and the die-hard fans and I were excited to hear the Bullfrogs were now selling hot chocolate at the concession stand!

The extra time did give me a chance to wander around the park and inspect the new deck out in left field which was open for the first time on Sunday!  The expansive space will act as a beer garden and is a nice complement to the new food tent along the third base line that will offer fans fare that’s a step above your typical concession stand.  I have to admit, the corn on the cob was calling my name…

But, again, I digress from baseball to discuss food.  (I warned you in my last blog!)  The game looked like it was going to be controlled by the visiting Woodchucks until the Bullfrogs started putting some hits together in the sixth inning.  Errors were a problem for both teams, but it was the Bullfrogs pulling out the soggy victory, 4-1.  After some hot coffee, I headed back to Madison to find my winter coat so I could put it in my trunk for future games!

There you have it.  The extreme trips are out of the way.  I may have gotten wet, and I may have been chilly, but I stick to my statement – there is no better place to be in the summer, than at a baseball field.