These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Happy Minor League Baseball Opening Day.
Teams in the International and Pacific Coast Leagues begin their season Friday, which, for those keeping score at home, is the earliest start to a Triple-A season since 1951. The PCL kicked off on March 27 that year, a factoid that, if nothing else, proves how easy it is for me to get sidetracked while writing about Minor League Baseball.
So, it’s Opening Day. Next week the denizens of Single-A, High-A and Double-A will join their Triple-A brethren and then we’re really cooking with gas. Among those utilizing the high heat will be me, Ben Hill -- a.k.a. Ben’s Biz, your friendly neighborhood Minor League ballpark road tripper.
2025 will be my 15th season “Exploring America Through Minor League Baseball,” continuing a saga that officially began in 2010. I’ve now visited 186 Minor League ballparks, and 2025’s slate of new facilities will bring that total to 190.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
In honor of my 15th season on the road, here are 15 memorable moments from my Minor League ballpark travels. I hope that, cumulatively, these vignettes give you a better idea of who I am and what I do as we head into the season.
It all began in 2010. The first stop of my first ever trip was Hank Aaron Stadium, home of the Mobile BayBears. Aaron’s childhood home was moved to the ballpark and converted into a museum; somehow, I was the only national writer in attendance at the star-studded opening ceremony. The below photo features Bob Feller, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Reggie Jackson, Aaron, and Rickey Henderson. Not pictured, but also in attendance: Aaron’s fellow Alabaman, Willie Mays.
It’s good to have a plan while visiting a ballpark, but part of that plan is to embrace the unexpected. When I visited the Inland Empire 66ers in 2011, for example, I was invited to attend a pregame bat burning ceremony as the players attempted to exorcise their offensive demons.
In 2012, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with celiac disease, forcing me to adopt a gluten-free diet. This led to the creation of the Designated Eater -- an individual recruited at each ballpark I visit, whose “job” is to sample the ballpark cuisine that I cannot. The first Designated Eater was Jeff Vervlied, who I documented eating a pork roll sandwich at a Trenton Thunder game. Over 200 hungry individuals have since followed in his footsteps.
For me, visiting a ballpark means saying “yes” to just about everything. Over the years, I’ve said yes to many ridiculous things, a not inconsiderable amount of which ended in humiliation. Some were a triumph, such as my toilet paper first pitch while visiting the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2013. (This was later immortalized on a Topps card, as part of the first “Ben’s Biz” insert set within their Pro Debut series).
Writing stories about local ballpark icons is a huge part of what I do. One of my favorites of 2014 was Rod “The Toastman” Blackstone, West Virginia Power super fan. You’re toast!
Ballpark icons come in all shapes and forms. In 2015, I visited the Portland Sea Dogs and came face to face with the glorious Trash Monster.
In 2016, I visited the entirety of the Appalachian League in a 10-day span. Among the players on the Bluefield Blue Jays that season was 17-year-old Vlad Guerrero Jr. (Pictured here alongside Jesus Severino)
In 2017, within the span of two days in the state of South Carolina, I witnessed a ballgame with a built-in eclipse delay…
…and interviewed Bill Murray. Bill (we’re on a first-name basis) personally endorsed me on Twitter.
I ended the 2018 season with a visit to Suplizio Field, home of the Grand Junction Rockies, and with that I had finally done it. I had made it to every active ballpark. It was an emotional night. 159 of 159. #BenEverywhere
The journey continued in 2019. There were new ballparks to visit in Amarillo, Las Vegas and Fayetteville, and plenty of return trips to old favorites. Josh Jackson, a man who usually interrupts this newsletter, joined me in Vegas. That guy loves onion rings.
In 2020, there was no Minor League Baseball and February 2021 my son Harry was born. In the midst of that, the MiLB landscape was reconfigured. When I finally got back on the road, to Chattanooga, Wanda the Program Lady was there to greet me with a smile.
And now for something completely different: In 2022, colleagues Kelsie Heneghan and Sam Dykstra and I drove from New York City to Dyersville, Iowa, to see the MiLB Field of Dreams Game.
There have been thousands of MiLB team alternate identities over the past decade. My favorite was the Exploding Whales, so in 2023 I went to Eugene to learn more.
I’m now in middle age, but when I’m at the ballpark I feel like a younger man. Last season in Memphis, I proved that I can chicken dance with the best of them.
A 45-year-old traveling Minor League Baseball writer is asked to compete against local youth in a @memphisredbirds Chicken Dance competition.
— Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) July 8, 2024
What happens next will shock you: pic.twitter.com/FU271Zw6zm
What will the 2025 season hold? Stay tuned. Ben’s Biz season 15 starts now.
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
8/8 Game Postponed
Today's game between the Down East Wood Ducks and Myrtle Beach Pelicans is postponed due to inclement weather and the forecasted rain due to Hurricane Debby. The game will be made up as a part of a doubleheader in Myrtle Beach at a date and time to be determined. The
8/7 Game Postponed
Today's game (8/7) between the Wood Ducks and Pelicans is postponed due to inclement weather and the forecasted rain due to Hurricane Debby. At this time, a rescheduled date for this game is still to be determined based on the uncertainty of the forecast for the rest of the week.
8/6 Game Postponed
Today's game between the Wood Ducks and Pelicans is postponed due to inclement weather and the forecasted rain due to Hurricane Debby. At this time, a rescheduled date for this game is still to be determined based on the uncertainty of the forecast for the rest of the week. Fans
Woodies Go 5-1 Against the Peckers
7/28 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Wood Ducks hosted the Fayetteville Woodpeckers for family day and game six of the series. The 1st inning was three up and three down for the Woodpeckers and Wood Ducks. The Wood Ducks set the Woodpeckers down in order in the top of
Woodies beat the Peckers!
7/27 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Wood Ducks hosted the Fayetteville Woodpeckers for Pepsi Saturday and game 5 of the series. The Woodpeckers had two singles in the top of the 1st but left them on base. The Wood Ducks had a walk from Beycker Barroso in the bottom
Double the Games, Double the Wins!
Doubleheader Game Recap 7/26 By: Maddy Meehan GAME 1 The Wood Ducks hosted the Fayetteville Woodpeckers in a doubleheader. Game 1 started at 5pm. The Woodpeckers started the game with a strikeout, followed by a walk, and then a ground out including a double play. The Wood Ducks went three
7/25 Game Postponed
Due to field conditions, today’s game (July 25th) has been postponed. Tomorrow, Friday, July 26th will be a doubleheader with two 7-inning games. Once ticket will get you into both games. The first game will start at 5:00 pm with gates opening at 4:30 pm. The second game will start
Woodies fall to the Peckers in Game 2
7/24 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Wood Ducks hosted the Fayetteville Woodpeckers for winning Wednesday and game two of the series. In the top of the 1st the Woodpeckers were three up and three down. The Wood Ducks started the bottom of the 1st with a single from Echedry
Woodies Played Harder than the Peckers
7/23 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Wood Ducks hosted the Fayetteville Woodpeckers for Bark in the park and game one of the series. The Woodpeckers were three up and three down in the top of the 1st. The Wood Ducks were three up and three down in the bottom
Woodies Lose Game 6
7/14 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Down East Wood Ducks hosted the Salem Red Sox's for family funday and the last game of the series. In the top of the 1st inning the Red Sox had one hit from Antonio Anderson but left him on base. In the bottom
Split the Doubleheader with the Red Sox
7/13 Game Recap By: Emily Brown Game 1 The Down East Wood Ducks hosted the Salem Red Sox's for Christmas in July and a double header. In the top of the 1st the Red Sox had a single from Antonio Anderson and left him on first base. The Wood Ducks
Game 1 of the Doubleheader
7/12 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Down East Wood Ducks hosted the Salem Red Sox's for Mother Earth Friday and game three of the series. In the top of the 1st the Red Sox were three up and three down. In the bottom of the 1st Echedry Vargas hit
7/11 Game Postponed
Due to weather conditions, today’s game (July 11th) has been postponed. Tomorrow, Friday, July 12th will be a doubleheader with two 7-inning games. One ticket will get you into both games. The first game will start at 5:00 pm with gates opening at 4:30 pm. The second game will start
Red Sox Beat the Woodies
7/10 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Down East Wood Ducks hosted the Salem Red Sox's for Camp Day and game two of the series. The Wood Ducks started the bottom of the 1st Echedry Vargas strikes out swinging but made it on first base on a wild pitch by
Woodies were hot!
7/9 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Down East Wood Ducks hosted the Salem Red Sox's for Bark in the Park and game one of the series. The Red Sox were three up and three down in the top of the 1st. The Wood Ducks started the bottom of the
Woodies Fall to the Red Sox on Camp Day
7/10 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Down East Wood Ducks hosted the Salem Red Sox's for Camp Day and game two of the series. The Wood Ducks started the bottom of the 1st Echedry Vargas strikes out swinging but made it on first base on a wild pitch by
Errors on their side, Home Runs on Ours
7/9 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Down East Wood Ducks hosted the Salem Red Sox's for Bark in the Park and game one of the series. The Red Sox were three up and three down in the top of the 1st. The Wood Ducks started the bottom of the
Best Fireworks Around & Baseball too!
7/3 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Wood Ducks hosted the Carolina Mudcats for the final game of their three game series. The Mudcats were three up and three down in the top of the 1st. In the bottom of the 1st the Wood Ducks had a single from Echedry
Woodies Reel in a W!
7/2 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Wood Ducks hosted the Carolina Mudcats for Bark in the park and game two of a three game home stretch. The Mudcats started the top of the 1st with back to back singles from Daniel Guilarte and Yophrey Rodriguez. Then Cooper Pratt strikes
Woodies Win in Extras Against the Mudcats!
7/1 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Wood Ducks hosted the Carolina Mudcats for game one of a three game home stretch. The Mudcats started the top of the 4th with a walk for Filippo Di Turi. Yophery Rodriguez hits a ground ball which turns into a double play. Cooper
Collard Greens lose Game 6
6/16 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Collard Greens hosted the River Dogs for Sunday family fun day and game six of the series. In the top of the 1st the River Dogs got two players on base from a fielding error and a walk but left them there. The
Short but no Collards
6/15 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Collard Greens hosted the River Dogs for Pepsi Saturday and game five of the series. Both teams were three up and three down in the 1st inning with groundouts, flyouts, and a strikeout. In the top of the 2nd the River Dogs got
Collard Greens on a Hot Streak!
6/14 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Collard Greens hosted the River Dogs for Mother Earth Friday and game four of the series. The top of the 1st was three up and three down for the River Dogs with a popout, strikeout, and groundout. The bottom of the 1st was
Walk-Off Win Again!
6/13 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Collard Greens hosted the River Dogs for Thirsty Thursday and game three of the series. In the top of the 1st the River Dogs had one hit but left him on base. The Collard Greens were three up and three down in the
Walk-Off Win for the Collard Greens!
6/12 Game Recap By: Emily Brown The Collard Greens hosted the RiverDogs for camp day and game two of the series. The top of the 1st was three up and three down for the River Dogs. The bottom of the 1st started with a strikeout for the Collard Greens followed