Staten Island Yankees vs. Lowell Spinners, July 25, 2017

Not too much has changed at Richmond County Bank Ballpark since I last wrote about it (see my post of Aug. 16, 2015):  it is a little harder to get to from the ferry because it is surrounded by construction; the cheerleaders, The Pinstripe Patrol, were nowhere around (though I don't know if that means they have been disbanded); it was somewhat quieter between innings and I had the fish-and-chips there, which was not bad at all.  The Yankees won 2-1 behind the strong pitching of starter Jorge Guzman, who pitched six innings and struck out nine and the young players (it is A League ball) played the fundamental baseball that is disappearing in the major leagues in this era that over-emphasizes home runs.  There were only two errors, one a bad throw to first by Yankee catcher Keith Skinner on a dropped third strike and the other a misplayed ground ball by Lowell second baseman Yomar Valentin.

It was the first game my six-year-old daughter had ever been to and she was underwhelmed.  She thought it would be more exciting than it was (I don't think I said anything to make her believe that) and, at this point, is not interested in the elegant geometry of the game itself, nor does she countenance any comparisons to ballet (which she loves).  It turned out to be a game of relatively serene beauty, as many of the camps that were scheduled to come may have hesitated because of the possibility of rain.  Richmond County Bank Ballpark is a wonderful place to see a baseball game:  the best seats are only $16, with the young ballplayers making up for their somewhat underdeveloped skill with a passion for the game.  I also enjoy watching the umpires, with only two (the major leagues have four for each game), and this game included umpire Jennifer Pawol, who had just moved up from the rookie leagues and hopes to eventually get to the majors, where there has yet to be a female umpire.  She did a good job on the bases.

Of course it becomes difficult to watch a game on TV after seeing one in person, since TV shows so little of the game.  At the ballpark there is so much to watch and keep track of, though if one's mind does wander while watching a game on Staten Island there is always the bay to look at, with boats continually passing by not too far from the outfield fence and Manhattan not too far away.