Yesterday I spent most of the day in Grand Chute (Appleton) Wisconsin and saw the South Bend Cubs rout the hometown T-Rats 24-4. As quickly as the game fell apart for Wisconsin, I’m glad that I spent the day at a ballpark.

Heading into the game, the Cubs were closing the gap between the two teams in the MWL Western Division. The surprise starter for Wisconsin was Brewers starting pitcher, Quinn Priester, on a rehab stint. He had thoracic outlet syndrome and was hoping to regain his feel. Quite simply, the experiment was an epic failure and he’s no closer to figuring things out.

Despite it being Yooper Day, there was no giveaway. Instead the Rattlers wore the ugliest uniforms and they served pasties at a couple of the concession stands. Like everything they do from a culinary aspect this was a success. Everything beyond the ordinary ballpark fare, is made to order and with care. Food matters to the good folks of Wisconsin and thankfully that extends to Neuroscience Field.

Aside from the highlighted additions to the menu, the Rats added a mini ball field down the left field line behind the berm. I noticed a full-on game during the fifth inning. While Cub fans can escape Wrigley and watch the game from Gallagher Way, Rattler fans have several active distractions out in right field and the new field. Unlike other MWL ballparks, there is no outfield seating (save for party decks). However, fans can circle the park and watch anywhere with a beer and or brat in hand along the rail.

While batting practice had ended there was some pregame action on the field. Even when I have no idea who anybody is-due to all of the players wearing numberless jackets, I like to check out their pregame preparation.

How times have changed, South Bend manager, Daniel Wasinger was using the pitching machine to feed balls to catcher, Miguel Useche to help him with his pitch framing. Back when Charles Johnson was catching for the Kane County Cougars, he’d have coaches using the same machine to help him with blocking pitches. I haven’t seen catchers work on that in years.

On my way to my seat behind the third base dugout, I stumbled into three young Cubs pitchers grabbing lunch at the Nueske Bacon Stand. One of the quirks of minor league ball was the opportunity for the chance meetings in the concourse. With all of the netting ballplayer-fan interactions are few and far between so this was a nice return to normal.

Unfortunately, the game was never really close or interesting. The Cubs didn’t do anything in the top of the first, but it was clear something wasn’t right with Priester from the get-go. He certainly was professionally intense but lacked command of any of his pitches. The Cubs struck for 7 runs in the second and Priester was out after recording only one out. Without getting stat-heavy, the Cubs first three batters, Kane Kepley(4-7, 3 runs and 5 RBI), Ty Southisene (4-5,4 RBI and a run) and Cameron Sisneros (2-5, 3 RBI) are all recent draft picks with high expectations.

As poorly as Priester pitched (5 hits, 1 HBP, 3 walks and 7ER in 1.1 IP), I was surprised and disappointed that Wisconsin’s coaching staff dropped the ball and did nothing to rectify the situation before it got worse. Regardless of the level, when I sit courtside, I pay attention to how the infielders set up for each pitch. After the second baserunner, the T-Rat infielders were completely disinterested. I won’t question their effort, but I did question their focus. It was like watching 7-year-old right fielders swatting at fireflies. Had some adult stepped in immediately, the unforced errors would have been minimized.

The Cubs starting pitcher, Jostin Florentino’s command wasn’t spectacular, but he did hold Wisconsin to one hit, one earned run in 4 innings. That lone hit was a solo homer from 19-year-old Braylon Payne. Reliever Bjorn Johnson was the only Rattler pitcher to not allow an earned run although all three of the runners he inherited scored.

Amazingly, the Cubs scored 24 runs on 24 hits and did not homer. Conversely, through 6 innings the Rattlers trailed 13-2 with both of their hits being solo home runs.

South Bend tacked on 11 runs in the last three innings and Wisconsin two in the bottom of the 9th. It’s been a long time since I last saw such a lopsided game, and it was painful at times to watch. Fourteen walks are brutal especially when so many of them forced in runs.

All that being said, I was glad to be sitting in a ballpark and the scoop of mint chocolate chip didn’t hurt.