Just back from my second Dogs game of the season - if you can get away to a game this summer, do it. The ballpark is in sparkling shape, it's cheap and affordable, and the baseball is really good, even if the lineup isn't studded with prospects.
- They seem to know how to win. Tonight they were down all night, 2-0 in the first and then two hours of rain delay, but then they battle back with four runs in the ninth to tie it 5-5, then walk it off in the 10th. For their 15th win in 16 games. And "knowing how to win" is real. Their at-bats are super focused, they go to the opposite field all the time with two strikes, and they go first to third consistently where other teams don't (although Hudson Potts absolutely dogged it tonight in not scoring from second on a double).
- The AA rule against shifting makes a difference - you see more good plays, more hits, more running.
- The AA pitch clock is everything. The game ROLLS. It's night and day.
- Ronaldo Hernandez is a very strong defensive catcher. He's so comfortable back there and watching him throw down to start every inning is magic. It's a laser on the bag every time.
- Corey Wimberly is a highly entertaining manager. When he's coaching third base, he often stands so close to the batter it's like he's in the on deck circle. Miles from the third base box. And he's constantly grooving to some music that only he can hear. Just having a blast out there, all the time.
- And this is without Casas and Meneses, who are at the Olympics!
Highly recommend the experience and the team, and that's not always the case. Sometimes, the team's just a dud, or someone like Mookie or Devers is there and you can't take your eyes off them to appreciate the team. But this one really sparkles as a whole.
- They seem to know how to win. Tonight they were down all night, 2-0 in the first and then two hours of rain delay, but then they battle back with four runs in the ninth to tie it 5-5, then walk it off in the 10th. For their 15th win in 16 games. And "knowing how to win" is real. Their at-bats are super focused, they go to the opposite field all the time with two strikes, and they go first to third consistently where other teams don't (although Hudson Potts absolutely dogged it tonight in not scoring from second on a double).
- The AA rule against shifting makes a difference - you see more good plays, more hits, more running.
- The AA pitch clock is everything. The game ROLLS. It's night and day.
- Ronaldo Hernandez is a very strong defensive catcher. He's so comfortable back there and watching him throw down to start every inning is magic. It's a laser on the bag every time.
- Corey Wimberly is a highly entertaining manager. When he's coaching third base, he often stands so close to the batter it's like he's in the on deck circle. Miles from the third base box. And he's constantly grooving to some music that only he can hear. Just having a blast out there, all the time.
- And this is without Casas and Meneses, who are at the Olympics!
Highly recommend the experience and the team, and that's not always the case. Sometimes, the team's just a dud, or someone like Mookie or Devers is there and you can't take your eyes off them to appreciate the team. But this one really sparkles as a whole.