Alone together: Teams forge connections
If you work in Minor League Baseball, the last week of March is crunch time. Opening Day looms and everyone, no matter their role, is checking last-minute to-do items off of what seems to be an endless list.
If you work in Minor League Baseball, the last week of March is crunch time. Opening Day looms and everyone, no matter their role, is checking last-minute to-do items off of what seems to be an endless list.
That's usually the case, but these are unusual times. Opening Day is delayed indefinitely and Minor League teams, like all of us, have been forced to adjust. So what have they been up to? The following is a detailed but by no means entirely comprehensive roundup of creative Minor League endeavors as teams everywhere seek to uplift, support and, perhaps above all, distract their fan bases. In times like these, we could all use a distraction.
Baseball: Happening Now
Visitors to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies' website might be surprised to see the team's top headline: "Rumble Ponies Set for Home Opener April 9." The Rumble Ponies, Double-A affiliate of the Mets, will play every one of their originally scheduled games via the MLB The Show 20 video game. (This season, for the first time ever, The Show features full Minor League rosters.)
To prepare for what will surely be an arduous virtual campaign, the Rumble Ponies are playing out the entirety of their Spring Training schedule. For now, this is as real as baseball can be.
The Rumble Ponies are playing ALL of their cancelled games via @MLBTheShow https://t.co/duXmzpBc2j
— Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) March 19, 2020
Similarly, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and El Paso Chihuahuas recently staged a three-game The Show series, which was live-streamed via Twitch. The IronPigs, buoyed by the support of their actual players, swept the hapless Chihuahuas in convincing fashion.
The virtual Pigs outscored the virtual @epchihuahuas 40-7 in their three-game sweep.@MLBTheShow pic.twitter.com/nzvTIBQMLR
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) March 22, 2020
Take Home Some Peanuts and Cracker Jack
What's your go-to ballpark concession item? If you live in Pensacola, you might be able to get it to-go. The Blue Wahoos have launched a ballpark drive-thru of sorts, in which fans can place an order via phone and pick it up curbside at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The menu is extensive, featuring bargain-priced family meals as well as Wahoos-specific ballpark favorites such as the crab mac and cheese dog and bacon-crusted shrimp tacos.
"People are asking around on 'Who is open, who can do meals?'" Blue Wahoos food and beverage general manager Eric Kroll said. "So, really, we're just trying to help families and people in the community and do our part with just being available for people who can't cook or aren't available to."
The Blue Wahoos' drive-thru comes on the heels of another noteworthy initiative. On March 13, in the wake of news that the 2020 season would be delayed, the team announced a $25,000 relief fund to aid gameday employees.
The kitchen is open!
— Pensacola Blue Wahoos (@BlueWahoosBBall) March 24, 2020
We've slightly adjusted our Curbside Pick-up hours...get your orders in between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM for lunch and 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM for dinner!
Give us a call at (850) 934-8444 ext. 451 to order!
Menu: https://t.co/MLDH2HJOxW pic.twitter.com/m9HCyWILGh
Testing Grounds
Similar to the Blue Wahoos, the Lake Elsinore Storm are offering a "meal relief program" for the local community. Meanwhile, the parking lot of the Storm's ballpark, The Diamond, has been used by the county as the site of a "drive-through novel coronavirus testing program." Per the local Press-Enterprise, the tests were available to "high-risk" individuals living within a 50-mile radius of the city of Riverside.
Grab and Go
A week ago, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers became the latest Minor League team to introduce its own beer. Baller Beer, a partnership with the locally based Cabarrus Brewing Company, is available via the brewery's "brew-thru." Cannon Ballers operating partner Scotty Brown said that fans waiting for the baseball season to begin can "taste a delicious new brew while supporting a small local business safely in the privacy of your home."
You thought we were gonna let Boomer get his own beer without putting in some sweat equity?! He was here every step of the way to make sure his Baller Beer was the perfect game day brew! Drop by the CBC Brew-Thru today and pick up a taste of what is to come in K-town! #ballin 🍻 pic.twitter.com/u515O8V71J
— Cabarrus Brewing Co. (@CabarrusBrewCo) March 20, 2020
The Cannon Ballers, formerly known as the Intimidators, will be playing at a new downtown ballpark this year. On March 13, the team acheived its latest construction milestone: a ballpark "super flush," in which the sewage system was tested via the simultaneous flushing of all 104 of the facility's toilets.
1,2,3,FLUSH!
— Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (@Kcannonballers) March 13, 2020
So what is a "super flush"?
Read More: https://t.co/Riy2YeWXBn pic.twitter.com/jbkxjvTRzR
Hit the Books
Kids everywhere are now "learning remotely," and many teams are offering at-home educational activites. The Richmond Flying Squirrels, for example, have provided their Education Day curriculum, which was originally designed for student field trips to the ballpark. Meanwhile, in Columbia, South Carolina, the Fireflies have launched a four-week at-home reading program that includes a variety of ballpark-based prizes for those who complete it.
And speaking of reading, the Lake County Captains received a heartwarming assist from their manager, Greg DiCenzo.
Families, we know you have a lot on your plate now and we want to help. Bring the kids and pull up a chair for Captains Story Time!
— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) March 23, 2020
Today, Captains Manager Greg DiCenzo reads The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. https://t.co/PpG2daViUe
Bracketology
The NCAA's March Madness basketball tournament was canceled. While nothing can come close to replacing it, the tournament's structure has inspired a variety of online-based Minor League Baseball endeavors. The Staten Island Yankees are pitting 32 of their team-worn and giveaway jerseys against one another, for example, while the San Antonio Missions are trying to determine nothing less than the "greatest player in franchise history."
This month's biggest upset occurred in Omaha, as the Runzas topped the Royals in a tournament to determine the best team name in franchise history.
We have a champion in the @fnbo March Moniker Bracket. With 53 percent of the combined vote from Twitter & Facebook, @Runza tops the Royals for the fan-favorite title. pic.twitter.com/TEy4UO9c40
— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) March 24, 2020
Back, back, back ... backed!
Myrtle Beach Pelicans fans might not be able to visit the stadium, but the team has offered a way in which they can still Back the Birds. It's offering "special edition" ballpark Splash Cash, an in-stadium currency that never expires. Those who purchase $100 in Splash Cash will get their names on an outfield billboard as well as the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
🚨HAVE OUR BACK WHEN WE TAKE THE FIELD🚨
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) March 18, 2020
You've asked how you can help. Here it is.
Get your name on an OF billboard. Receive a personalized brick at the ballpark. Purchase Splash Cash that NEVER expires. FREE shipping on $40+ orders.#BackTheBirds: https://t.co/8W9pDts1rB pic.twitter.com/soJttCAHzw
Wipe Right
Ballpark team stores, like most everything else these days, are closed to the public. Online sales continue apace, however, and one team is really a-ply-ing itself. The Oklahoma City Dodgers, aware that toilet paper is inexplicably the nation's hottest commodity, are throwing in a free roll with any order of $30 or more.
In case you missed it...we're on a *roll* with this whole working from home thing! Check out our OKC Dodgers Online Team Store and start stocking your closet with Dodger Blue as we wait for the season to start! 😍
— Oklahoma City Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) March 22, 2020
Shop Now: https://t.co/MbU8xiHau9 pic.twitter.com/jaF5F3Nhsi
We See You
The soothing sounds of baseball may be a ways off, but the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are here to remind us that soothing sights can be accessed on an around-the-clock basis.
Miss the ballpark like we do? 👀 look in at @121Financial Ballpark at your convenience:https://t.co/1ag38RD80y pic.twitter.com/PQORL83TAz
— Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (@JaxShrimp) March 20, 2020
Other teams offering ballpark cams include -- but are certainly not limited to -- Durham, Winston-Salem and, still under construction, Wichita.
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
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.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring