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.
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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.
Seven the Perfect Number in Dust Devils, Emeralds Twinbill Split
EUGENE – It turned out to be a simple proposition: if your team scored seven runs Saturday night at PK Park, they won. The Tri-City Dust Devils (3-5) shut out the Eugene Emeralds 7-0 in the nightcap of their doubleheader, bouncing back from a 7-4 loss in game one to
See-Saw Soirée: Eugene Walks Off Tri-City
EUGENE - In a game that saw the lead change four times the Tri-City Dust Devils (2-4) got walked off by the Eugene Emeralds (3-3) Friday night, with 2B Quinn McDaniel’s two-run double giving the Ems a 7-6 win at PK Park in the first nine-inning game of the series.
Dust Devils Turn Tables, Down Emeralds in Ten
EUGENE – The Tri-City Dust Devils (2-3) and Eugene Emeralds (2-3) found nine innings not enough for a second straight night, but this time the visitors plated their runner and held their opponent off the board to cinch a 7-6 win in ten innings and even the series at a
Eugene Tips Tri-City in Extras
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Canadians Spoil Sunny Sunday for Dust Devils
The visiting Vancouver Canadians (2-1) broke out the big bats on the Tri-City Dust Devils (1-2) Sunday afternoon, hitting three home runs on the way to a 10-2 win in front of 1,589 fans at Gesa Stadium who had come to enjoy both the baseball and the sunshine. Tri-City avoided
Tri-City Bats Quieted by Vancouver
A night after a thrilling comeback win the Tri-City Dust Devils (1-1) could not solve the riddle that was the pitching of the Vancouver Canadians (1-1) Saturday night, falling 3-0 to the visitors and setting up a rubber match for the three-game series Sunday afternoon. Many of the 2,023 fans
Dust Devils Come Back to Win Opening Night Thriller
1B Ben Gobbel’s 7th inning RBI single proved the difference Friday night for the Tri-City Dust Devils (1-0), who celebrated the start of the 2025 season by coming back from a 4-1 deficit to take a 5-4 win over the Vancouver Canadians (0-1) in front of 2,651 fans at Gesa
Mix of Youth, Experience Balances Dust Devils 2025 Opening Day Roster
A top pitching prospect and 18 returners help bolster the 2025 Opening Day 30-man roster of the Tri-City Dust Devils, the proud High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels announced Wednesday in preparation for its season opener Friday night, April 4, against the Vancouver Canadians at Gesa Stadium. Right-handed pitcher
Dust Devils Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
Fan Favorites and Historic Firsts Highlight 2025 Fun at Gesa Stadium PASCO, WASH. (March 21, 2025) - Affordable family fun returns to Gesa Stadium Friday, April 4th as the Tri-City Dust Devils embark on their 2025 baseball season! Make plans now to join in all the fun during 66 home
Dust Devils Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
Dann Bilardello, longtime MiLB manager, takes the reins. PASCO, WASH. (February 14, 2025) - The Tri-City Dust Devils, proud High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, are excited to welcome the club’s coaching staff for the 2025 season. Dann Bilardello will take over the helm as manager following previous managing
Dust Devils' Michael Angel Wins Head Groundskeeper of the Year
Today, Minor League Baseball announced that Michael Angel, longtime Head Groundskeeper of the Tri-City Dust Devils, has won the 2024 Head Groundskeeper of the Year Award for the Northwest League. Michael has served in his role with the Dust Devils since 2003, making the upcoming 2025 season his 22nd consecutive
Dust Devils Unveil 2025 Season Schedule
After another record-breaking season, your Tri-City Dust Devils cannot wait to invite friends, fans, and community members back to the ballpark next spring. In anticipation, we’re thrilled to announce our 2025 Season Schedule! Mark your calendars for Opening Day on Friday, April 4th, 2025! Kicking off the new season with
Sonny D's Grand Slam Delights Dust Devil Fans in Shutout of Emeralds
1B Sonny DiChiara's 1st inning grand slam set the tone for a terrific Tuesday night at Gesa Stadium, where four Tri-City Dust Devils (19-30 2H) pitchers combined to shut out the Eugene Emeralds (21-28 2H) by a score of 5-0 in front of 1,431 fans gathered on a Senior Night
Magnificent Seven-Run First Takes Tri-City to Blowout of Spokane
Both the Tri-City Dust Devils (16-23 2H) and the Spokane Indians (26-13 2H) had identical golden opportunities to score in their first at-bats Thursday night, and the home nine cashed in their chance with seven runs on the way to a 13-2 rout of their visitors in front of 2,077
Well, Well, Well…How the Turntables: Indians Blank Dust Devils
A night after the Tri-City Dust Devils (15-23 2H) shut out the Spokane Indians (26-12 2H), the visitors returned the favor with a 7-0 win over their hosts Wednesday night at Gesa Stadium that evened the series at a game apiece. The low-scoring nature of Tuesday’s series opener carried over
Fantastic Four: Tri-City Pitchers Shut Out Spokane
Starter Jorge Marcheco and three relievers from the Tri-City Dust Devils (15-22 2H) bullpen shut out the league-leading Spokane Indians (25-12 2H) Tuesday night, backing up a pair of midgame unearned runs for a 2-0 win at Gesa Stadium that opened a six-game series. Marcheco, innings and pitch limited since
Dust Devils Clobber Canadians for Series Split
A Tri-City Dust Devils (14-22 2H) offense shut out for 13 weekend innings erupted for 14 unanswered runs Sunday afternoon, turning another low-scoring ballgame into a 15-3 rout of the Vancouver Canadians (21-15 2H) at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium that earned the squad a series split. A two-out
Tri-City Blanked in British Columbia
Three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning helped the Vancouver Canadians (21-14 2H) to a 4-0 win over the Tri-City Dust Devils (13-22 2H) Saturday night at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, giving Vancouver a three games to two lead in the final series between the two
Bonus Baseball Better to Dust Devils in Win over Canadians
Playing their third extra-inning game in a week and second in less than 24 hours the Tri-City Dust Devils (13-21 2H) turned the tables on the Vancouver Canadians (20-14 2H) Friday afternoon, getting their runner across in the top of the 10th inning and shutting the door in the bottom
Tri-City Forces Extras, Falls to Vancouver
On an otherwise high-scoring Thursday in the Northwest League the Tri-City Dust Devils (12-21 2H) and Vancouver Canadians (20-13 2H) played a taut, low-scoring ballgame that Vancouver took 3-2 in ten innings at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium. Tri-City gave itself chances to score throughout the night, chipping away
Dust Devils Dig In, Hold On to Beat Canadians
At a place recently inhospitable to Tri-City Dust Devils (12-20 2H) victories the visitors grabbed the lead and held off another late charge from the Vancouver Canadians (19-13 2H) Wednesday night, taking a 5-4 win at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and bringing this week’s series all square at
Vancouver Vexes Tri-City Again
Both starter Houston Harding and the bullpen offered strong performances on the mound for the Tri-City Dust Devils (11-20 2H) Tuesday night, but the Vancouver Canadians (19-12 2H) cooled off bats on a muggy night to take a 2-0 win in the series opener of a six-game start Tuesday night
Rooster Tails Speed Past AquaSox to Split Series
A stellar bullpen performance backing up early runs powered the Tri-City Dust Devils (11-19 2H) to a 4-1 win over the Everett AquaSox (13-17 2H) Sunday night at Gesa Stadium, causing a third split between the two teams in as many series in the 2024 season. Held to one hit
Columbia River Offense Stays in Pits
A Tri-City Dust Devils (10-19 2H) offense experiencing one of its best stretches of the year was shut down by the visiting Everett AquaSox (13-16 2H) Saturday night, netting only one hit in a 6-0 loss to the visitors at Gesa Stadium. Playing as the Columbia River Rooster Tails on
Werner’s Walk-Off: Rooster Tails Rally in Extras to Beat AquaSox
A tightly played game in the first nine innings gave way to a wild finish Friday night at Gesa Stadium, where Werner Blakely’s walk-off two-out double in the bottom of the 11th inning gave the Tri-City Dust Devils (10-18 2H) a 5-4 win over the Everett AquaSox (12-16 2H) to