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Ben Fritz 1-0, 3.49 ERA |
| Keith Ramsey 5-4, 3.98 ERA |
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Rather than dissecting another non-descript loss or discussing some of the 86 new players on the roster, let’s talk about the way things used to be in Lancaster. Let’s talk about the magical year of 2006, when the city embraced the team as it won the championship. Baseball was electric here.
Charlie Weatherby remembers. He was the closer during the 2006 playoffs. Today, he’s on the Long Island Ducks, another of the Atlantic League’s signature franchises. He said playing there is much different.
“That situation up there is not a town like here,” Weatherby said. “We have 6,000 or 7,000 people every night, but it’s nowhere near the cheering atmosphere that we had here. That family, down-home, like you’re part of the town feeling isn’t there. There are great fans up there, but it’s a totally different atmosphere.”
It’s an interesting comment for a few reasons. It shows just how players used to feel about Lancaster and it also emphasizes how much things have changed. The Clipper Magazine Stadium atmosphere that Weatherby describes doesn‘t exist right now. This feels like another run-of-the-mill minor league venue.
The crowds for the four weekday games this week were listed between 3,000-3,500, which is, of course, paid attendance. The actual number of folks in the seats was lower. By the time Thursday night’s game ended at 10 p.m., it felt like one of those 13-inning games or rain delay games when virtually no one was left in the ballpark.
Winning is important in Lancaster, more so than a lot of other places. This is the first time in my four years covering the team that I can recall such apathy and that should be a real concern to the Barnstormers. They don’t want be known as a losing brand and that’s exactly what’s happening. There’s a cumulative effect to constantly being out of the race and we’re finally seeing it manifested in the city’s attitude toward the team.
The Barnstormers have four more fireworks nights, so their attendance for the rest of the season will get a hike. But that won’t change the reality of this week, when many people didn’t care enough to show up and those that did didn’t stay until the finish.
Like I said and some dissed me for it on Game #122:
I’m trying really hard, but some times it is hard to root for “MY TEAM” when I am not sure who my team is day to day. The revolving door effect is making it difficult to really connect to the team.
Hey I would be at every game if it was not for my work schedule. Yes winning makes it exciting like 2006 but baseball is the sport I know and love and would be there as long as the team is here. Some day it is not just about baseball. Some times you go for the give aways, special appearances, cylo and to hang out with friends but baseball always gets my attention some how. I will always be at the “Clip” it is fun and great and seeing teams like Long Island and Newark is just some times exciting.
And yes I was one of those 50 fans that stayed for the rain delay game last week. To me it was part of supporting your team and this sport.
So long live baseball, the Barnstormers and even the Atlantic league. To quote one of the movies I can remember which one ” I Love This Game”.
2006 was a great year, but the key word is “was”. I just hope we don’t turn into a Newark or Camden.
This is not a diss to you Ultimate, just letting you know how I handle the revolving door thing. “MY TEAM” is the Lancaster Barnstormers. No matter who is in uniform, takes the field, or who steps up to the plate. They get ALL my cheers, my uh’s, and my cowbell.
Knowing that this league has a lot of players come and go, I try not to get caught up in names. It is hard, but you never know who may be gone the next time you show up at the stadium or read the blog. You just have to get use to it.
And yes #2, I love this game, too!
SIY I agree. I was there the last 2 nights because I love baseball. If it was all about winning I would have given this up a long time ago (remember I grew up watching the Phillies). I won’t be there tonight because I will be supporting high school football. We probably won’t win, but I will still be there. Family function on Saturday, but will be back on Sunday because I love this game too! As Mom and Dad would say at the end of every Philllies season when I was growing up, “wait until next year”.
I think the apathy starts with the person. I love going to games, I am not there to make friends but I have made quite a few. I love watching people, players and everything that goes on in the ball park. I love September because you can concentrate on the game, even in 2006 attendance was down on the weekdays, school has started. I look forward to the nights in September because the kids are gone and watching the game is more exciting.
I have my favorite players, but they leave. As Stormin’ has said The Barnstormers’ are why I go to the park not one player or even the “popular” players. The players in 2005 and 2006 were special because they were the first, the newness has worn off and the team has to work on fine tuning. If that envolves a revolving door so be it.
Agree with you Maureen…this is about the baseball for me. September is the best month of the season for me…more often than not the people who attend in Sept are there for the game..not the promotions or the fireworks or any of that stuff that is so vital to the attendence in the summer months. I have nothing against any of that..but if you are there for watching the game and to get a different perspective on whats going on without kids screaming for pizza or tee shirts or whatever..then this is the time of the year to do so! Players will always come and go..whether they are favorites or not. That is the nature of the game.Personally I have enjoyed how the newer players have been playing this homestand because they are trying to prove themselves here…auditioning as it were. My team is the Barnstormers as Stormin has pointed out…whomever is playing for us. When players leave I continue to cheer for them..they are part of the Stormers family but whomever is playing for us now..I support them. Its been a rough year sure..but they deserve our support all the time.
As far as the high school football thing…its still baseball season…and until that ends I don’t even “recognize” another sport.
I don’t care what anybody says. Watching a winner is a hell of lot more fun then the past 2 years. I too am a huge fan of the game. I even get crap from my friends for going to the Stormers games when they are clearly out of it, while the Phils try to hang in there, but have found the stadium to be dead and rather boring. I stayed at ther game for 1 1/2 innings last night/ I actually left to watch the Redskins and giants. 2 teams I can’t stand, but found it to be more entertainment than the baseball game. Very few people here know who I am, but they would be able to tell you how much I love going to games. This season has been a huge disappointment for me. Both from the onfield play and with the organization.
If you had bothered reading my reply, I wasn’t “dissing” anyone in particular, simply pointing out that “you”, as in anyone, can’t have it both ways. You could either have the same players all year like the disaster that was last year or you can start going through people and keeping those who can produce. 2006 is dead and gone and so is a roster with the same names for extended periods of time. Welcome to minor league baseball just like it is everywhere else.
Per turning into Newark or Camden, I believe that will be decided early in the season next year. I don’t see a point in explaining that sentence except that deuce is absolutely correct in #7 and I second it 100%. Except for the Phils. They’re done this year.
Last year was crap. This year was crap. If next year even looks like it might be more of the same, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see mid-May crowds looking like last night. Sure it would be a shame, but they’d be getting exactly what they’ve asked for.
Jason..according to the league website (and Stormin posted a day ago) Jeff Muessig has been activated? We all know how “accurate” the league website is so I was wondering if this is indeed true? I thought he was waiting to have surgery the last we had heard????
Deuce, I do agree that winning is more fun but being at a losing baseball game is better than being at a winning soccer game.
Maureen- I don’t want to offend any soccer fans, but I totally agree. I did find it interesting that The Fun Patrol had a soccer ball on the field last night and I.M. Fun was talking about kicking off the NFL season. Shouldn’t they have been throwing a football around.
They have been throwing a football around for the past two weeks until last night, the kick off of football season, they were playing soccer.
My Mom and Dad taught me that anything worth doing , was worth doing well. The Organization doesn’t seem to agree with that.
I am a baseball fan 1st and foremost. I love the game also.
At least we have a Team to watch.
My problem with this Organization is:
1. Everything is a deep dark secret.
2. Perception is that little was done during the season to upgrade the Team
3. Everything they have done over the last 2 seasons was, imho, done on the cheap. Well…maybe not everything but too much.
Under those circumstances, apathy is something that can easily set in.
Sorry Maureen. I rarely show up to the games before the national anthem so I never got to see them throwing a football around.
Watching these newbees play is exciting. With the assistance of the big man.
One of your local councilmen came into our restaurant today…all the way out here in New Mexico…small world…go stormers
Great defence and great pitching. Congratulations Michael for well deserved player of the month.
Another Great job from Ryan Cullen. Gonna be interesting to see where he wind’s up next year. 2007 he had an excellent Triple A season, 2006 he had a great Double A season, and now this year very impressive stats. I’ll be surprised if he’s not in the Bigs next year.
Way to go team!!! Matt great job..
I will miss baseball when the season ends I do every year.
great win tonight. Matt you are great. I am going to miss the season when it is over. but not the nasty and hatefull things that are going on here.
*sigh* Amazing…..simply amazing…..
Way to go Matt!!!
Great job Stormers!!!
You’d da Man Cullen!!!
I too will miss baseball when the season ends
Where did the 2008 roster tab/page go?
Oh, and great game tonight guys. and 2 dingers for LeeeCroy!! Nice!
Seems to me Jason’s fingers were getting blistered from the constant changes. He had to rest a day, especially after football Friday.
Will we get the game in today? If not do we play 2 on Sunday?
I would bet…NO….YES
Too bad we don’t play the Ducks today. This would be perfect weather.
Thsi might mean double crabs on Sunday. AS long as it is nice for the crab fest.
todays game is rained out
And it will be a doubleheader tomorrow
Cool deal! At least they didn’t wait until 7:45.
It has been fun watching some of the new players play and interact with the fans. On the subject of ” the same players” coming back season after season, maybe some of them would rather play here than somewhere else. Talk to them, the ones I have talked to enjoy the fan support and the atmoshpere of the park. Some have even said that they cannot believe that there is this kind of support for this team, even when we do not do well. GOOD LUCK tomarrow will be there for both games.
Glad the guys got a day off,well the whole damn league is shut down today.Think I’ll go to the game Tomorrow.I have not ben to the Clipp all week,sad being that I’m a season ticket holder.Love double header baseball.Guess It’s going to be Friday and Saturday fireworks display next week.Casue fireworks=$$$
I dont know about you guys/gals, but I dont usually read the “POSSIBLY RELATED POSTS” at the top. But today I read, “BI-polar….a sexually curious bear.” It was funny. “THE BEST” comments were quite funny. Not what I expected.
Thanks Pack.. very entertaining. I ususally aviod them but on this night without basebal… what else is there?????
Not much rad, unless you enjoy college football. GO Gators! Beat the Hurricanes!!
My house guest is rootin for the Hurricanes… me, I’m for the Gators too.
Sooners beat Cinnci and now we wait to watch the Texas game, watching Florida/Miami now.
Stormin…..did you watch your game on tape already?? ha ha
GO Gators!!!!!!!!!