I appreciate that most baseball fans aren’t as minor league obsessive as I am, but I find the minors grow on people, even those not as passionate about baseball as I am. If one doesn’t compare everything to the big-league experience, one can find several little things to draw one in and with a little research and luck, you can see some really good baseball.

Since I don’t have any children nor a fascination with the National Parks system, I’ve used the minors as a means for seeing more of the country than I would have otherwise.

Over the last decade I’ve managed to see quite a few ballparks and cities that I would have otherwise overlooked and while some were better trips than others, I’ve enjoyed the experience greatly even if I haven’t created a bucket list. However, there are a couple of cities and teams I’ve missed out on.

In a matter of games, the Carolina Mudcats will be ending their 35-year relationship with the city of Zebulon, N.C. and moving to Wilson, rebranding as the Wilson Warbirds. Along with the Montgomery Biscuits, the Mudcats and their long history always intrigued me, but not enough to make the drive to the region. I’ve always wanted to take a mini roadtrip/vacation to experience the Carolina League. I even did a little recon before the Minors constricted, and six-game series became the norm. Heck, I even put Zebulon in google Maps.

I’m sure the good folks in Wilson will continue to sell Mudcats merchandise for a few years, but I don’t expect it will be the same as going to a game or three at Five County Stadium. If I’m able to pull the trigger a little quicker next season, I may be able to knock off a few more cities and ballparks off my casual list. With the onset of the college football season (really) starting this weekend, I recommend folks with a college football stadium experience bucket list, to not wait too long and not to pass up too many invites to catch a game.