Three years ago, the Carolina Mudcats were one of the first bucket list teams that I went to see. That time, I left when the game was interrupted by a rather intimidating lightning storm. Standing on the concourse, I heard one of the kids working the game tell his fellow employees that the game was called, but they weren't announcing it because they didn't want people to leave while the lightning was a danger. I left anyway, and when I got back to my hotel room and turned on MiLB.tv found out the game had been resumed.
So, this year was try two. As I drove to the Raleigh/Durham/Cary area that day the temperature (per my car's thermometer) got over 80 degrees. I showed up at the stadium in shorts and a t-shirt. As I got out of my car a hefty wind kicked up. I swear, in the next twenty minutes the temperature dropped 10 degrees. I bought a jacket at the team store, but should have probably gone for the blanket everyone else was getting.
The wind was everywhere and came from all directions. The moment I thought I'd found a place where I could get some shelter it changed directions. And it got colder and colder. Finally, half way through the 5th, I was done. It was either leave or watch my fingers turn blue. Buies Creek was winning and looked to have the game under control. It may have been fortuitous that I left when I did because as I was driving out (car thermometer now saying 49 degrees) fireworks went off signifying a homerun and the Mudcats took the lead. If I'd stayed long enough to see that I might have stayed for more of the game and I'm not sure if I'd have survived the hypothermia. BTW, for those of you who think I wussed out, well, I did, but I made it longer than 90% of the crowd. From about the third inning onward there were far more employees in that stadium than there were fans.
So, now I have to figure out how to get back to see the Mudcats again. It'll probably be next year. I'll be able to combine seeing it with a trip to see the new team in Fayetteville. I will see a complete Mudcats game eventually. They have a cool theme and they put on a good show and Mother Nature can't run me off every time.
So, this year was try two. As I drove to the Raleigh/Durham/Cary area that day the temperature (per my car's thermometer) got over 80 degrees. I showed up at the stadium in shorts and a t-shirt. As I got out of my car a hefty wind kicked up. I swear, in the next twenty minutes the temperature dropped 10 degrees. I bought a jacket at the team store, but should have probably gone for the blanket everyone else was getting.
The wind was everywhere and came from all directions. The moment I thought I'd found a place where I could get some shelter it changed directions. And it got colder and colder. Finally, half way through the 5th, I was done. It was either leave or watch my fingers turn blue. Buies Creek was winning and looked to have the game under control. It may have been fortuitous that I left when I did because as I was driving out (car thermometer now saying 49 degrees) fireworks went off signifying a homerun and the Mudcats took the lead. If I'd stayed long enough to see that I might have stayed for more of the game and I'm not sure if I'd have survived the hypothermia. BTW, for those of you who think I wussed out, well, I did, but I made it longer than 90% of the crowd. From about the third inning onward there were far more employees in that stadium than there were fans.
So, now I have to figure out how to get back to see the Mudcats again. It'll probably be next year. I'll be able to combine seeing it with a trip to see the new team in Fayetteville. I will see a complete Mudcats game eventually. They have a cool theme and they put on a good show and Mother Nature can't run me off every time.
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