The Perfect Labor Day

Labor Day generally marks the end of summer for most.

This weekend we were lucky enough to be able to share the end of summer with one of our good friends, Dee, and her new little one.  Dee is in the Navy and has been on leave after the birth of her daughter.  She traveled up from Norfolk, VA to be with us a few days.

We decided to hit up the last ballgame of the season.

As you enter the park, in their "front yard" is an adorable "Baseball Frog".  The frogs were an art project that Erie enjoyed.  The Seawolves purchased a frog to create and had some artists make theirs to reflect the team. The sad part is, the frog that originally took it's spot was ruined, not once but twice.  The one you see here is a replacement and really is nothing like the original.  While it's a neat one, it really angers me that a few idiots could take something from the community.  The original one had baseballs for eyes, each signed by the teams of the 2 seasons the Frogs were being created.  They were stolen twice, the second time the idiots broke the frog up too.  In the picture, at the left is my friend Dee and her little one in the carrier on her front.

As I've mentioned many times before, Erie is very lucky to be host to a great Double A baseball team.  The Erie Seawolves are the "farm team" to the Detroit Tigers and we've been privy to some very exciting years and a few, not so exciting but always fun ones.

This year probably categorizes in the "not so exciting but always fun" years.  Our prospects weren't exactly outstanding and our season ended with a loss and no running in the games for the championship but Erie doesn't mind standing behind their team win or lose.

We played a team we love to hate for our last game too, the Akron Aeros.  This is the team that we lost the championship to last year and while that's not a good reason to "hate" them, HOW we lost it makes it a perfect reason.  The Aeros are the farm team for the Cleveland Indians and last year they were so desperate for a win and taking the title that they actually called DOWN a pitcher from the Indians to win the game.  We're talking a man who played and started for the Indians that season!  It's "legal" by the standards, as long as the guy doesn't play for so many games with the Indians after he plays in the play-offs, but it's tacky.  If you want a win that bad, play ball good enough to take it.  Don't bring out your MLB guys to play against guys that aren't even in their league yet.  Sadly, we lost but I think I can speak for the fans of Erie when I say we lost with our heads held high.  You didn't see us bringing Verlander in to pitch so we'd take the Championship did you?!

Can you tell it's a sore spot with me? LOL

So, to end the season playing a team we love to hate just added to the greatness of the day!

While this afternoon The Wolves ended the season with a loss, I'm pretty sure there wasn't a disappointed person in the house!  The game really meant nothing other than entertainment for the fans.  The fans were happy to oblige in enjoying the game as we sat under a beautiful sun lit sky with a nice cool breeze to keep us from getting too hot.  Temps in the high 70's, we were kept cool with $1 beers, $1 sodas, $1 hot dogs and $1 popcorn. 

Staying true to tradition, Mondays are "Buck Night".  Since today's game was in the afternoon, and to top it off a holiday, the lure of dollar treats only enhanced the experience.

Of course we started off with a couple buck beers and dogs. There's nothing better than a ball park hot dog on a warm summer afternoon.  Top the dog off with some jalapenos and stadium mustard and you have a real winner!  No slouching when it comes to enjoying some frothy beverage here at the home of the Seawolves!  They don't offer just crappy beer for a buck.... any beer they have on tap is yours for the asking for a dollar a cup! We enjoyed some Yuengling, some Killian's Red, some Coors Light and some Labbatt's Blue.  That's just a few of the brews offered but we managed to toss down those brands.

While watching the game, the club keeps you entertained with various events and  happenings in between innings. The traditional hot dog of Erie is the Smith's Wiener and they sponsor a "Weenie Race" every game.  Here's some dogs running it out! Each hot dog or sausage represents a section of the stadium and whichever "dog" wins, their section gets coupons for $1 off or something.  I'm not sure what they did for this time since there are no more games but it didn't matter, we still enjoyed the running dogs!

A regular feature is an appearance by "The Retirement Village People".  A group of "older" gents, somewhat dressed like the former village people, who perform along with the song YMCA playing.  Unfortunately my shot didn't come out so great but the guys are on top of the Wolves dugout dancing away.  It's quite entertaining!

Of course, their mascot, C. Wolf is always happy to run out on the field in between innings and perform.  He does everything from tossing out free hot dogs and t-shirts to dancing with his "little wolves" in tow.  Always cute.

Another thing that the "littlest" fans look forward to is the Kids Stampede.  They announce that the stampede will take place in between a particular inning and all the kids in the park line up, ready to go. Today, with over 4,800 fans... there were lots of kids to take part! They make it across the field in record time I'm sure!

One of the things I love most about Erie is that, for the most part, we tend to support our teams even if they're not always on top.  While last year we went to the Championships and won our division only to lose the next game (remember the rant about Akron! LOL), this year we won't even be making an appearance in any finals.  Yet, with a not so winning season and even a losing ending to the season with today's game, we boasted nearly 5,000 fans at today's game!  Sure, the buck beer pulls them in too, but for the most part we tend to have between 3k and 4k in the park for most games. Not bad for Double A ball!  The park looked great with fans in nearly every seat!  It was a spectacular way to end the season!

Freebies are always great! Today's freebies that they passed out were free windshield wash from a local auto parts store and free chicken sandwiches from McD's. Free is always good!

While it's a sad moment as we watch the players walk off the field, we relish in the thought that next year brings even more entertainment and excitement to Jerry Uht Park.  Once again we will pack the stands for "Buck Night" and crowd the ticket windows when bobbleheads are the giveaway.  We'll see new talents coming up in the league and cheer on both the ones we know we won't see for long here in Erie AND the ones we love to see come back each year.  Win or lose we know that our Erie Seawolves will always be able to bring an afternoon or evening of inexpensive, family fun to our life. 

I can't wait 'til next season!