Casper Ghosts 12 Ogden Raptors 2

July 4, 2008
Friday night
With Erik and Marc
Casper, WY

Casper don't have time for frills in its ballpark. Other than a few trees and good calzones.
Not sure if he wants to hug Hobart the Purpleus Platypus.
Oh, alright.

For the second time on the trip, I came within a foot or so of a foul ball. In Ogden, I almost got hit in the face. On this night, I was on the phone to SHR down the first base line when a ground ball bounced up and almost made it within my reach.

The park is named after Mike Lansing, formerly of the Colorado Rockies and a Wyoming native. I hope to one day have a minor league park in Silver Spring, MD named after me.

We kind of wanted to buy some merchandise but even the glow in the dark hats couldn't entice us. The Ghost logo was just a bit too menacing. I thought that Casper was supposed to be friendly.
(photo by Erik)

(photo by Marc)

Hot Dog Eating Contest
(photo by Erik)

(photo by Marc)

If you click on this picture to enlarge it, you can marvel at the awesome Halliburton sign that reads "Now hiring."
Other things of note:
1. There was a player named Jose Gonzalez which greatly amused Erik, a big fan of the musician of the same name. Maybe he should send him a care package from Mute in hopes that the player Jose will choose to have one of his namesake's songs as his intro song.

2. Marc wanted me to mention that the popcorn was very good.

3. Ghosts pitcher Jeff Fischer went 0-10 last year and 0-1 so far this year but we saw him win on this night. Hooray for Jeff Fischer!

4. Erik came within 2 MPH on the speed pitch of beating my 2008 Baseball Trip record set in Idaho Falls.

5. Marc was chosen to announce a player on the PA. He lacked a bit of oomph and a whole lot of volume. He was told to try again and nailed it on the second attempt.

6. Every time a certain designated player on the Raptors stuck out, beers were two bucks apiece for ten minutes. The guy struck out at least twice if memory serves correctly. Erik and I had a few too many because of the promotion - two at a time each time.
(photo by Marc)

With one game left on the trip, we finished up our Pioneer League Odyssey. That's right, we saw all 8 teams and 6 of the ballparks. Next year, we'll have to make sure we hit Orem and Great Falls.

The Movie

Posted: 8/8