Harrisburg Senators vs. Akron RubberDucks – 7/9/16 – Floyd Life-Sized Bobblehead Unveiled

Its almost been twenty years since I attended my first professional baseball game on City Island.  After the Harrisburg Senators (AA of the Nationals) cancelled their Star Wars-themed bobblehead last year I wasn’t sure if I’d go back.  But given how close I am to this stadium, it doesn’t take much for me to change my mind.

On Saturday, July 9th, the Harrisburg Senators gave out Cliff Floyd bobbleheads to the first 1,500 fans.  This bobblehead is an exact replica of the life-sized bobblehead of him they unveiled before the game.  Back in April they did the same thing with Vladimir Guerrero, and next month the Senators will do it with Bryce Harper.  Guerrero, Floyd, and Harper will round out their inaugural life-sized Bobblehead Hall of Fame class.  This was the first time I had ever seen a life-sized bobblehead in person.  I wasn’t sure where they were going to be located.  It turned out that both of them were right behind my seat near the end of the walkway.  They look really cool.  Cliff Floyd was suppose to be there, but couldn’t make it.  Instead he sent a video message.  I think after the season ends, these giant bobbleheads will be moved to a more permanent location.

This was the first time I had been to a Senators game since First National Bank purchased Metro Bank.  Nothing really changed much other than the signs.  Before grabbing some dinner, I took a look around the gift shop.  I picked up a 25th and 30th anniversary pin, plus a Forever Collectibles Harrisburg Senators retro-bobblehead.  When returning to my seat with chicken fingers, fries, and ice cream, I found a baseball scout in my spot.  He was just looking for a place to sit.  I thought he wanted to sign me to a team.  For a second there I thought I might get a deal like Mickey Moniak.  Once again my athletic talent has been overlooked.

The Senators played the Akron RubberDucks on Saturday and lost 6-3.

RubberDucks pitcher Rob Kaminsky

Kaminsky and catcher Jeremy Lucas

Senators pitcher Phillips Valdez

Reading Phillies vs. Akron Aeros – 6/17/12

If you recall, last March I was able to score some free tickets to a Reading Phillies game after meeting a gentleman while waiting in line to get into the Ephrata Rec Center Show I attend each year.  Well, Father’s Day was the time to cash in those tickets.  The seats were great!  Three rows behind home-plate.  If I was any closer, they could have asked me to play 🙂  I had never gone to see the Reading Phillies before.  The stadium has a lot of history, but comes with a modern feel.  Reading’s pitcher Julio Rodriguez had a no-hitter through 5 innings.  In the end, Reading won 4-2.  I picked up a team set and three new pins for my collection.  They were giving away Richie Ashburn style hats.

Chun Chen (left) and Sebastian Valle (right)

Chun Chen (left) and Sebastian Valle (right)

The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor is one of many mascots used by the Reading Phillies.

Ran into Screwball on the way out.

Harrisburg Senators vs. Akron Aeros – 7/17/11: Harper Watch!

I got to see Bryce Harper and the Harrisburg Senators take on the Akron Aeros last night.  The Senators won 9-7 on a couple of 4 run innings.  The first 1,000 fans through the gate received a Cliff Floyd bobblehead.  It was a night filled with hot dogs and Harper.  Could it really get any better?