After checking out schedules and weather forecasts for ten days, I decided to make the 95-mile trek to Beloit for Sunday afternoon’s tilt with Cedar Rapids (Minnesota). Honestly, since the Marlins moved to Beloit, I can’t remember really enjoying any Sky Carp performances or games. The new ballpark, ABC Supply has all the amenities that Pohlman Field lacked, but I also haven’t been able to connect with the players or on-field staff and I believe it’s more than the “protective” netting. I don’t think the Marlins discourage fan-player interaction, but something is going on here and it’s not how you grow the game.

One of the great things about the new ballpark is its location in the revitalized downtown. Street parking is free and plentiful and ordinarily affords fans to enjoy the hood. Unfortunately, the main drag was torn up and there was zero foot traffic. The locals have no idea what the plan is and it might have played into the miserable crowd (700 fans). ABC has most of the amenities that minor league fans have come to expect, but their choice of mascot stinks. Poopsie (given the gastric reference it makes sense), the giant sky carp lacks what Snappy (the turtle in threadbare costume) possessed in spades, charisma. Poopsie spent more time pressing his/her bill on the table. Poopsie is the Lemon Pipers of minor league mascots.

Conversely, the young folks working the various concession stands couldn’t have been more engaging. I went local flavor instead of protein on this trip. I’ll reverse course next time. The guys and gals at First Aid and Guest Services couldn’t have been more helpful. The gameday program was pretty worthless, but the preprinted scorecard was a nice touch. I always bring my own to keep proper score.

Maybe because nobody was on the field pregame, I hunkered down in my first row behind the third base dugout (visitors) and got to listen to the most ill-informed autograph collectors I’ve seen in years.

One of the great aspects of ABC is the 360 view of the game, as I often like to circumnavigate the park during the game. Sunday, I spent all but three or four pitches in my seat. Given the weather in the MWL the first week of the season, 72 and overcast was ideal conditions for the game even if one Beloit youngster was dressed like it was February. Notice the neck gaiter. One fan wondered what he was wearing earlier in the week.

As I posted earlier, none of the ranked prospects for either team, did anything to merit note which isn’t to say that I didn’t finally enjoy a Sky Carp victory. The Kernels struck first, scoring a lone run in the top of the first via a balk. They added two more in the second on a two-run homer from the 9 batter Miguel Briceno. Remember that name. Beloit responded swiftly and severely with three runs in the bottom of the 2nd and would never trail again.

The star of the game, Juan Matheus, took over the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning when he hit the first of two home runs. In a refreshing turn of events, the home team piled on the runs and took advantage of the 20mph winds to center and some shaky outfield play by the Kernels and some truly awful pitching. Yes, that’s a direct jab at my Cubs.

Most every reliever that Kernel manager, Brian Meyer (never heard of him) called upon seemed to add fuel to the fire. Beloit added another five runs in the 4th inning including Matheus’s second home run.

The unranked, 21-year-old third baseman smacked a second homer and finished with a double (ten total bases) and acquited himself nicely in the field.

Due to the strong winds, several outfielders crashed violently into the fences-mostly successfully, I might add. What surprised me was that there were 33 baserunners and no double plays.

While there was plenty of action, the only real drama was whether Kernels reliever, Cole Peschl would get more than an inning of relief or not. Until his grandmother and her friend moved down across from my seat, they were just random voices cheering for the visiting team. Minor league ball is rife with family and friends chasing their kids like Willie Wonka’s golden ticket. Learning about a particular player’s path always personalizes the experience. After one of the few clean innings pitched I agreed that he might have merited a second inning.

While Cedar Rapids’ manager earned a solid D+ for managing, handling of a bullpen and overall awareness, Beloit manager, Angel Espada, merited an A for class and sportsmanship. Beloit had several chances to add on runs in the course of the game, but he held his runners up at third. The Sky Carp still managed to eke out a 15-5 victory and Miguel Briceno showed his mettle with a 4-4, 3 RBI afternoon.

It is possible to enjoy a minor league game without focusing on what ranked prospects do or don’t do.