Wednesday, May 25, 2022
May Garden Update -- Nectarines Are Ready
This morning's picture shows nectarines that are just about ready. This really is a beautiful tree, from the flowers earlier in the year to the bright red fruit. And the fruit is, of course, great to eat -- on par with our peaches, but I think even better. We will have nectarines in abundance for a week or more, depending on how hot the weather gets. I was surprised to learn that nectarine trees have been around a long time, dating back thousands of years to east Asia.
Sunday, April 3, 2022
2021 California League Tour -- Last Stop -- Fresno Grizzlies
On September 18, we were in Fresno to see the Fresno Grizzlies take on the San Jose Giants. The Grizzlies are the low single A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. The players here are looking to move up the Rockies farm system to the high A Spokane Indians, double A Hartford Yard Goats and triple A Albuquerque Isotopes.
Chukchansi Park is owned by the City of Fresno who sold naming rights to the Chucksansi Resort and Casino. This is by far the most spacious park I visited. Built off of downtown Fresno, the ballpark was designed to jump start development interest in the area. Looked to me like the plan may be working -- we saw some interesting restaurants and shops nearby and a sizeable farmers market/flea market was busy as we made our way to the stadium. We arrived a bit early for the game and a line had formed at the entrance.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
2021 California League Tour -- San Jose Giants
On September 12, I was at Excite Ballpark in San Jose to see the Giants against the Stockton Ports. Formerly named San Jose Municipal Stadium, the park was built in 1941 as a WPA project.
This is the outside of the ballpark as you approach the entrance -- it is a busy hodge-podge of pictures and signs everywhere. And it is all just a glimpse of what awaits you inside. Walk inside the park and it is part carnival, part museum, history, humor and outstanding baseball. Not to take a thing away from the other California League teams -- I truly enjoyed all the stadiums and games -- but San Jose is on another level. Excite Ballpark is, far and away, the best experience in the California League.
Thursday, March 24, 2022
2021 California League Tour - Inland Empire 66'ers
Sunday, March 20, 2022
2021 California Leage Tour -- Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Thursday, March 17, 2022
2021 California League Tour -- Lake Elsinore Storm
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
2021 California League Tour -- Modesto Nuts
On June 15, I was in Modesto for an evening game between the Modesto Nuts and the San Jose Giants. Since 2017, the Nuts have been affiliated with the Seattle Mariners. The weather was about perfect for shorts and t-shirt.
Wally Walnut was on hand to give me a fist bump as I headed to my seat behind home plate. The Nuts actually have three mascots, Wally Walnut, Al the Almond and Shelly Pistachio. I only saw Wally. who wandered the stadium meeting and greeting fans. Kids love the mascots. But, even for adults, they lend a special fun and laughter to the minor league experience.